Food allergies are prevalent in India, but they are more prevalent in the West. This has nonplussed the doctors in those countries and they presume that it may be due to diagnostic efficiency and better reporting. It may also be due to a ‘hygiene theory' (not proved), that cleaner environments make the population more easily susceptible, as they are not exposed from young age, to allergens! This is not easy to swallow!
Repercussions
Food allergies are due to auto immune reactions. They are due to hyper-sensitivity to specific foods that an individual is reacting to. The reaction may be acute and immediate in most cases, though a later onset is also possible. The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis with lowered blood pressure and loss of consciousness. Sometimes, this may be fatal. I have seen one person reacting within minutes of eating vegetable khorma. Her face became red and itchy, mouth, tongue and lips got swollen. She was not able to swallow or breathe. It was scary, but as she was aware of her allergy to Khus Khus (poppy seeds), a spice used for thickening gravies she knew what had to be done. After taking her remedy, she came around equally fast.
Nut allergies are common in the West. In fact, children are not allowed to carry any nut-containing foods to school as quite a good number of children exhibit this phenomenon. Yes, I call this a phenomenon, because, the reaction is immediate and frightening to the onlookers also. These children carry the antidote injection with them always and have to reach medical care within 20 minutes of the attack.
Even children born of Indian parents, in the western countries, are susceptible. I met an Indian family in Boston whose son was displaying nut allergy. The family had been to a restaurant where they had ordered very carefully for the child's meal. But he started showing his symptoms and when enquiries were made, it was due to a ladle from a dish with ground cashewnut, being used in the chicken served to him. Scary, isn't it? When asked whether children in India have displayed this symptom, I was told that perhaps there are no records and may be children have not even been recognised with this, as the result is death, in a very short time. Let us hope and pray that this problem does not reach our shores, as such controls cannot be successfully applied in our country and also we are a great nut-eating population!
Very often, allergies are just a result of our mind set. Many people fuss over foods and imagine that they are allergic to foods which they basically dislike. We know that the mind is a powerful instrument and it is up to the individual to take charge. There are simple tests to check out if one is truly allergic to this or that.
Some allergic foods
Commonly reported allergies are for: milk, eggs, fish, shell fish, brinjal, tubers like yam and colacasia. There may be many more and many individualised. In case you or anyone you know, have such allergies; guide them to skin specialists for diagnosis and to find their comfort zone. A simple common sense test would be to avoid the food concerned and try it out a few times in small quantities, to see if the reaction is repeated.
Other allergies are common with plants, smells, smoke, chemicals, medicines like penicillin and other antibiotics, toilet articles and so on. So don't think that food alone causes allergies. I know that we can be allergic to some people too! In such a case, work out your own remedy!
What are the symptoms?
Immediate swelling of soft tissues of lips, tongue, face and eyes.
Sometimes, leads to blocking of air passages, leading to breathing difficulties.
Nasal congestion Itching all over, skin, mouth, throat, lips and eyes
Nausea, vomiting, Stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and pain
Wheezing, difficulty in swallowing.
The author is Dean, Academy of Fitness Management, FitnessOne.
