Increase food allergies? Does anyone experience these symptoms?

Question

During the late 1990’s I began having problems with my tongue swelling, geographic tongue with painful blisters and difficulty breathing when I eat a some popular food chains. I never had food allergies prior to this. Are there other people with this problem? I am beginning to wonder if globalization and food brought into this country is the culprit since eating at home it never happened and eating at privately owned diners it seldom happens, but at certain chain restaurants it always happens.

Answer 1

It could be a sensitivity to preservatives or flavor enhancers and other food additives such as M.S.G.MSG is used far more liberally then most people think,and its not just used in Chinese restaurant's.
Have a look at the following websites and read up on food additives,preservatives and flavor enhancers.

http://msgtruth.org/

http://msgtruth.org/whywe.htm

What Flavorings and Taste Enhancers Cause Reactions?
Mono sodium Glutamate (MSG). MSG is a flavor enhancer added to various foods, and also occurs naturally. Reactions to MSG have been called the “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome,” and symptoms include numbness on the back of the neck, shoulders and arms, weakness and palpitations. Other symptoms include facial pressure/tightness, headaches, nausea, chest pain and drowsiness. MSG is also suspected of worsening asthma symptoms.

Spices. Spices are the aromatic part of various weeds, flowers, roots, barks and trees. Because they are derived from plants, spices have the ability to cause allergic reactions, just like pollens, fruits and vegetables. The most common spices used include chili peppers, celery, caraway, cinnamon, coriander, garlic, mace, onion, paprika, parsley and pepper.


What Preservatives Cause Reactions?
Sulfates.Sulfates are common preservatives used in various foods, and are well known to cause a variety of symptoms. Learn more about sulfate allergy.

Nitrates and Nitrites. These additives are used as curing agents in meat products. Few reports of reactions to nitrates and nitrites exist, and include urticaria, itching and anaphylaxis.

Benzoates. Benzoates are used in foods as antimicrobial preservatives, and have been responsible for worsening asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic urticaria, and flushing in some people.

Sorbates/sorbic acid. Sorbates are added to foods as antimicrobial preservatives. Reactions to sorbates are rare, but have included reports of urticaria and contact dermatitis.
How are Reactions to Food Additives Treated?
Many of the reactions to food additives, such as with MSG, are mild and resolve without treatment. More severe reactions, including urticaria, angioedema, worsening asthma and anaphylaxis may require immediate medical attention. These reactions are treated much the same way as other food allergies. If reactions are severe, it may be necessary for a person to be prepared for a severe reaction (such as carrying injectable epinephrine and wearing a medical alert bracelet.

Otherwise the mainstay of therapy for people with adverse reactions to food additives is avoidance of the culprit food additive.

Sources:

1. Wilson BG, Bahna SL. Adverse Reactions of Food Additives. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2005; 95:499-507.

2. Bush RK, Taylor SL, Hefle SL. Adverse Reactions to Food and Drug Additives. In: Adkinson NF, Yunginger JW, Busse WW, et al, eds. Middleton’s Allergy Principles and Practice. 6th edition. Philadelphia: Mosby Publishing; 2003:1645-1663.

Answer 2

They use such rubbish in their products these days, obviously to increase profits. God knows what they put in the food they serve up to you. I stay away from these food chains as much as possible.

Also, big supermarkets inject their food with hormones, to make it last longer on the shelves.

Just keep a healthy diet, lots of veggies and fruit, (although you could have some allergies to some fruit - but you will soon know). buy your meat and fish from reliable small shops if you can. Also be wary of shell fish.

Rather go to a good restaurant once in a while and skip the chain stores, if it's a money issue.

It can be dangerous if your tongue swells, you can choke. It happened to be after swimming in a chlorinated pool, and I had to be rushed to hospital.

Hope this helps.

Try not to buy pre-prepared meals as well. Read the labels, and write down the substances they use and then check them out on the net. If you buy cakes, try to find little stores that sell real homemade cakes. Lots of women make their own cakes and sell them at these little market stores.

Answer 3

When I read your question, the first thing that popped into my mind was that could you be allergic to latex? All commercial food businesses are required to wear gloves for food preparation, something we do not do in our own homes. Many places use latex gloves instead of hypoallergenic ones.

I don't think that it is a food/ingredient that is causing your problems as you would have reactions at home. I have food allergies as well as a contact allergy to latex. I experience your type of reaction when I eat foods that have been handled by latex gloves.

Answer 4

Things your doctor will not tell you.

Have you ever tried to use a garden hose that had been filled with stone or marbles? Even with the water on the highest pressure, you will only get a trickle of water out - Right.
Our Liver does something similar. But instead of stone or marbles it is gall stones that have not calcified yet. They will not show up on an x-ray. Our liver filters toxins out of the foods we eat and eventually get stopped up like a garden hose full of stone or marbles.

The book listed below is a rather technical read, but I have utilized the processes many times even on my 10 yr.old son.
Check it out. You are welcome to email me with further questions or discussions.

The information in the book are adverse and NO doctor will agree. But we (my family) have utilized the book and cleanses for years with very positive results.

Answer 5

I can't eat at Taco Bell, Burger King and McDonalds, by the time i get home, i'm ready to barf. I can't eat any melons, my throat will start to close. I'm not sure what they are putting in their food, but it doesn't agree with me. I have also had to quit eating hamburger meat. I can't eat bologna or hot dogs either. Anything with mystery ingredients. You are not alone.

Answer 6

You are lucky to be alive. Be smart and carry an epi-pen with you at all times.

TX Mom
not a dr.

Answer 7

i had a similar problem, until i was diagnosed with chemical intolerance, also know as environmental illness. try organic foods, but, beware, it must be more than just USDA organic, the USDA standards have just been lowered to only 65% organic, thanks to the current governmental administration.