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Conditions

Allergic Reaction

A food allergy results in the bodies immune system attacking an item of food that it mistakes for an invader. Symptoms vary from person to person, but often result in tingling around the lips and on the tongue, swelling in the mouth and nose, trouble breathing and nausea. In severe cases this can lead to anaphylaxis, where the bodies pulse rate increases, breathing becomes more difficult and nausea and diarrhoea can be accompanied by unconsciousness. The most common allergens are peanuts, shell fish and celery but any food can result in an allergy. These allergies are linked closely with chronic conditions such as asthma, eczema and hay fever. The allergen can often be discovered using a skin prick test at your local GP surgery, introducing a small amount of the allergen to the body. Though food allergies are not curable, eliminating the food from ones diet should prevent symptoms from developing and an adrenaline injector pen can be carried for use in emergencies.

If you would like to find out more about allergies that affect kids, read our food intolerance and allergy guides especially for parents.

Watch our video showing how 3 year old Charlie and his parents cope with Charlie’s egg allergy.

Comments and Questions

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

ive been tested for common allergys and came back clear, iconstantly have a blocked nose, sneeze seven times in a row every two hours in daytime , im on fexofenadine n flixonase drops that dont do anything for me. its like having a cold 52weeks of the year for the last 2n half years at night its worse, i get itchy eyes throat n ears too xxplz can u help xxx ive also lost my sense of taste and smell





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I have a problem when i go for a warm/hot shower small blisters come up on my back and chest everywhere. They look red and can become itchy somtimes. Its rather strange because when my body cools down they clear away. Am i allergic to hot water? Or do i have an underlying problem?





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Hi, i struggle to breathe a lot. I normal have quite a barky cough but when i go to the doctor they provide me with antibiotics and away i go, but it never really seems to go properly away, sometimes it take me a few attemps to take a deep breath and i have normal oxygen levels, says my doctor. I am just wondering because my breathing is getting worse do i have asthma or is it something deeper, should i go to my doctor, should i take an patch test, i am so confused i don't know what to do, also when the weather changes from sunny to rainy i get a cough which isn't so good considering i live in Scotland, if anyone has this or knows what to do could you please awnser quick, thank you.





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for the past year i"ve had my lip swollen about 14times.it happens any time of day or night.it swells for about 6hours and then will start going down.im at my wit ends and its so embarrassing having to explain to people> i havent changed my diet.please help me. im 43 years old





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can someone help me out? i have always been allergic to plasters ever since i was a small child but now i cant even wear hypoallergenic ones or i come out in a sore itchy rash half an hour after applying the sticking plaster :( what is so wrong with me that i cant even wear plasters designed for people with allergies?





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that happened to me so i bought the spray on plasters as they act as a new skin and dont bring up my reaction as i am also allergic to plasters :) try it!

I have had a constantdry dry cough for nearly 3years I have tried several medications with no luck the hospital and my GP cant find a cure or a name for it,my sleep is being disturb by it and its very embarrassing when I'm in public because everone looks at you, PLEASE HELP ME. Monica





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i get this too i think it might be asthma, you should try and allergy at your GP

I am 16 and for the past to years ive been getting face allergies and ive been tested for various things and still haven't found what it is, my face just swells goes red with little bumps, ive also tried lots of different creams and tablets which don't help and it really bothers me. but it only comes now and again throughout the year but i really want to know what i could use that might help.





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Hi i'm 19 and I think I may be alergic to something like my family's rabbit but not sure. I've been staying round for about 6 weeks and about a month ago my eyes were itchy and started getting swolen on the eye lids and then dry skin under my eyes and now it's much worse and extremely painful and red round both my eyes, it stings constantly and i can't open my eyes properly because the skin is so raw and dry, i'm having to where sunglasses because how awful it looks. My lips are also dry and sore and itchy but not red or swolen, this also developed the same time as my eyes. I don't have a local doctor and am quite embarrased to show anyone, I was wondering what type of cream or medication I should use or what medical problem these symptoms may be describing. I'll be very greatful for your advise.





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Hi I have the exsact same problem its the eyes the swell up to the point I cant see and they burn like hell then go dry and scaley I cant wear make up because it is agonising but it seems as though it only comes in the winter im not at the point where I walked into my boyfriends house and my eye just swell up its very upsetting iv went to the doctors numerous times and took a picture but no help is offered not even a basic skin test I know how u feel whenever it happens I cant help but cry I looked into private treatment.and test but its extremly expensive I just want help because its painful and I can imagin yours is too its life ruining no one deserves to walk around with a burning face and eyes.

I believe I have taken an allergic reaction to various types of clothing. When I wear trousera or dresses with synthetic material my legs break out in a hideous burning rash. I went on holiday and it totally cleared but then tried on a pair of jeans and it has come back even worse than before. Could this be due to chemicals in the fabric or fire retardants used? I am at my wits end. My doctor has referred me to a dermatologist but there is a one year waiting list.





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I have recently been diagnosed with a gluten intolerance. Although I am now symptom free from just changing my diet it seems a lot of the gluten free products are quite high in sugar instead. I am overweight so the weight is just piling on. I am also an endometriosis sufferer so the medication I'm on for that has an adverse affect on my weight too. I'm at my wits ends trying to lose weight. I desperately want to be healthier. Please any advice??





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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