Whenever I want to eat prawns, I remember an ex-roommate of mind. She was allergic to prawns and her skin would break out the very instance she ate one, if ever, by mistake. So there were a lot of times I’d see her ask if the food being served had prawns, even if the hosts never thought of including prawns in the menu! It was embarrassing for her, but it was also a matter of life and death. Yes, I’d heard of a few instances where people with prawn allergies had even lost their lives due to it.

Scary, isn’t it?

Food Intolerance vs Food Allergies

Living with her, I also learnt the difference between food intolerance and food allergies. Food intolerance symptoms are often limited to digestive problems, such as cramps, constipation or diarrhea. A food allergy has much more serious reactions in the body. A severe allergic reaction may involve swelling, hives, itching, dizziness and even life threatening anaphylaxis. A food intolerance is a digestive system response whereas a food allergy is an immune system response.

I personally don’t have any food allergies that I know of, but my husband is allergic to some foods so we need to be very careful about what comes in our kitchen and what we order when we eat outside.

Know what to look for in a food label

Eating out is a once-in-a-while occasion but food gets cooked at home everyday. Since we both love to experiment in the kitchen, we often buy new sauces, etc.
One thing we are both very careful about is checking the labels on packaged food. It is very important to know what to look for in labels and how to read labels for food allergies in India.
Not very long ago, I learnt that I need to pay special attention to anything that is under ‘may contain’ in the food labels. Also, if the label says something is free (eg) sugar-free, peanut-free, it could mean that there are extracts or substitutes which could be equally harmful to the person allergic. It is important to us that we know which allergens are lurking in the food.

Stay prepared if you have a food allergy

Food allergies can be triggered by even a small amount of the offending food so it is advised to avoid that food completely. The first step is to be sure of what you are eating. You can’t afford to be adventurous and try out new dishes without knowing the ingredients. That is why my husband and I make it a point to check labels while using exotic sauces. We also talk to the restaurant staff about the food we order.

In addition to this, carry an epinephrine auto-injector if your allergist feels you have a need. This is to save the person in case a severe allergic reaction like anaphylaxis occurs.
Staying aware about allergens and avoiding them completely also makes eating out/eating packed food hassle free!
Know more about allergies and their management here.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed in the blog content are independent and unbiased views of solely the blogger. This is a part of the public awareness initiative supported by Sanofi India. Sanofi India bears no responsibility for the content of the blog. One should consult their healthcare provider for any health-related information.

References:
1. https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy

2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/expert-answers/food-
allergy/