Reaction Reduction

Do you experience bloating, swelling or migraines after eating? You might have a food allergy or intolerance but how do you differentiate the two? We weigh in with an expert

- Elizabeth Soong

“In my course of work, I have observed that food allergies can occur at any point in a person’s life stage,” says consultant dietician Indra Balaratnam, who runs her own private practice in Kuala Lumpur. “Childhood allergies are always something paediatricians look out for in children, however, some adults start to show signs of allergy towards food which they could always previously consume without any problems. A client of mine used to be able to eat eggplant (brinjal) but since entering her fifties, she gets a skin rash whenever she eats or touches a brinjal while cooking it.”

Consuming even a small amount of food that you’re allergic to will bring on adverse reactions within minutes. Common symptoms include hives and swelling; skin rash, itching or eczema; shortness of breath or wheezing; tingling or itching in the mouth; abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting; dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting. In severe cases, it may also cause a fatal reaction called anaphylaxis, which calls for emergency treatment.

This occurs when your immune system mistakes a protein or other components in the food as a threat and counterattacks by releasing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE) to fight the threat. Each individual’s reaction towards a certain food they are allergic to can greatly differ.