Symptoms of Allergy and Intolerance

1. Types of Allergy:

We all know about allergic reactions to pollens and grasses (hay fever), and house dust mite (asthma), and more serious reactions to peanuts or bee stings which can eventually lead to anaphylaxis (an acutely severe and sometimes life-threatening reaction). These are examples of Classic Allergies. Most such allergies have two characteristic features:

1. Reaction times are rapid. Symptoms usually appear within minutes (sometimes seconds) or just a few hours after exposure to an allergen.
2. Symptoms tend to be ‘typically’ allergic: swelling, sneezing, rashes, spots, hives, itching and so on. They look like the symptoms of allergy we have become familiar with.

In recent decades, however, a different class of sensitivity known as Hidden Allergy or Intolerance has been unmasked. We now know that intolerances are much more prevalent than classic allergies. In fact, they are commonplace, with clinical ecologists (allergists) estimating that over 50% of our population is affected by them. It is these hidden allergies which go largely undetected and untreated.

2. How to differentiate between Classic and Hidden Allergies:

Hidden allergies/intolerances are different and more difficult to diagnose than classic allergies:

1. Unlike classic reactions, there is usually a delay between exposure to a trigger substance and the onset of symptoms. So, for example, the cheese you eat on Monday could be the cause of your migraine on Wednesday.
2. The symptoms of reaction are often common complaints like tiredness, bloating, achy joints – symptoms we don't think of as typically allergic.
3. People intolerant to the same food may have very different symptoms from each other, and conversely, people with the same symptoms may be intolerant to completely different foods.
4. The same sensitivity, for example to potatoes, may show up as different symptoms at different times, depending on other variables.

For these reasons we may not suspect we have allergies at all. Long delays, familiar complaints, and varying reactions mean we don't readily associate our symptoms with our diet or environment. Yet foods, chemicals, and other triggers may well be the hidden causes of the symptoms you're suffering from.

3. Symptoms of Allergy and Intolerance:

Have a look at the symptoms below to help you assess your allergy status.

‘Giveaway’ Symptoms Of Hidden Allergy (many people with intolerances have at least one): Feeling tired all the time ... Feeling tired after eating ... Palpitations or rapid heart rate (especially after eating) ... Feeling ‘toxic’ or ‘poisoned’ ... Unrefreshing sleep or rest ... Feeling sick in the morning ... Consistently overweight or history of fluctuating weight ... Changing abruptly from feeling well to unwell ... Occasional perspiration not related to exercise ... Ocassional swelling around eyes, hands, ankles, or waist.

Mental/Emotional/Nervous System: Can't think clearly, can't concentrate, muzzy head, poor memory, anxiety, depression, insomnia, can't get up in the morning, irritability, hyperactivity (especially in children), fidgety, restless legs, tingling, convulsions.

Head: Recurring headaches or migraines, tension, constant pressure, constant muzzy feeling, feeling faint, vertigo.

Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat And Mouth: Eyes feel heavy, puffy, itchy, scratchy, watery, look red, blurred vision, hay fever ... Tinnitus, recurring ear infections, red and itchy outer ear ... Sinusitis, rhinitis, runny or stuffed up nose without a cold, sneezing, post nasal drip, catarrh ... Metallic or foul taste, chronic sore throat, tight feeling in throat, itchy roof of mouth, mouth ulcers, oral thrush, swollen lips or tongue, under/over-functioning thyroid.

Heart And Lungs: Palpitations (especially after eating), high blood pressure, tightness in chest, wheezing, asthma.

Skin: Eczema, psoriasis, hives, rashes, sores, blotches, spots, acne, itching, swelling, flushing, redness, fungal infections.

Gastrointestinal: Diarrhoea and/or constipation, flatulence, bloating, nausea, pain, cramps, hunger pangs, cravings, high/low blood sugar, diabetes, candida/fungal overgrowth, IBS, Coeliac disease/gluten intolerance, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, gallstones, liver dysfunction.

Genitourinary: Bedwetting, genital itch, thrush, cystitis, menstrual problems (including PMT).

Joints And Muscles: Achy joints and muscles, arthritis (any type), swellings, cramps, shaking or trembling limbs (especially on waking).

Please Note: