how do I find out what foods I'm allergic to without resorting to expensive tests?

Question

I am constantly feeling bloated and have a rash behind my ear (which I'm told is associated with eating too much yeast) test kits are really expensive, any cheaper methods.

Answer 1

You should be able to have tests done for free on the NHS. Failing that you will have to conduct your own exlcusion diet.

Answer 2

You can get allergy testing done on the NHS, but the waiting list is massive. Although tedious and and involving a lot of effort, the best thing to do would be 'trial and error' - omit something from your diet e.g. dairy, and see what happens over 10 days or so. Or, you could detox - have a day only eating salad and drinking water, then gradually introduce different foodstuffs into your diet over days/weeks to see what happens.
Bloting, alongside other symptoms, such as diarrhoea/constipation could be indicative of irritable bowel syndrome - if you're worried, go and see your GP - at least then you know you're getting sound medical advice.

Ta ta for now

Answer 3

Post meal bloating is often a sign of hypochorhydria (too little hydrochloric acid). Try taking some cider vinegar (1-2 tsp) in water with each meal, or get some Betaine with Pepsin tablets from the health food store. Papaya tablets are also helpful. See the books below for a complete discussion.
Good luck!

Answer 4

Hi Sharon - a friend of my Mums went on a REALLY strict diet for about 3 months (advised by her doc I should add here!). Week 1, she cut out everything that had wheat or dairy in (plus a few other things that in her case were suspected of bringing on her IBS).

Then over the 3 months, different foods were re-introduced and the effects monitored. Turned out it was butter she was allergic to, oh and mushrooms strangely!

Problems with this extreme dieting is you drop a TONNE of weight, I mean 2 stone or so, so do it nder the supervision of your doc. Also, its bloody dull eating steamed skin free chicken and veg night in night out for ages lol!

Good luck and hope this helps. Bxx

Answer 5

Everyone's saying that the GP will refer you. However, mine refused to for ages. I used to suffer from terrible rashes, swollen throat and sinuses. My GP said it definitely was not a food allergy and prescribed me steroid inhalers. The symptoms worsened (sometimes I couldn't breathe) so he gave me stronger steroids. I started getting chapped lips and nose like glue sniffers get. Eventually he referred me to allergy testing. They diagnosed me as seriously allergic to lactose (not the same as intolerance) among other things (dust/animal hair etc). As soon as I cut out dairy my symptoms vanished! Be careful of doctors - don't be over trusting. If necessary, go for the expensive tests -it may be worth it.

Answer 6

Ask your GP, it is the safest thing to do. I ate anchovies, had a reaction and was confined to bed for 6 days, I was literally too weak to move! The tests are fallible though, according to my test result I am allergic to strawberries but I am not.

Answer 7

holland & Barrat do a tablet called anti candi [candida albicans] try cutting out white bread it's the worst culprit. reading up on candida & following the advice is time consuming & boring at times but worth it, the only other option is to pay for the tests.

Answer 8

You should try a plain diet of just a few foods and add in others slowly to see what you react to ... I did it it's called the elimination diet it works really well if you follow it strictly..... heres a few website I found....
http://www.springboard4health.com/notebook/diet_elimination.html
http://www.foodintol.com/eliminationdiet.asp
Hope this helps : - )

Answer 9

you can try eliminating things from your diet, but a test will do it more thoroughly. They will also be able to give you help in formulating a diet that works for you.

try the york test, my wife did and it's made a massive difference.

Answer 10

See your GP! Surly the can refer you!