The typical symptom of food allergy is nasal congestion. It is important to note that nasal congestion involves inflammation in the sinus cavity that results to irritated and swollen sinuses. The nasal congestion due to food allergies is manageable but the allergy could not be cured.
Once an individual is suspected with food allergy, he/she must consult a doctor so that allergy testing can be carried out. The ensuing nasal congestion from food allergies can result to postnasal drip, sinus pain and a stuffed nose.
Can tree nuts cause nasal congestion?
Tree nut allergy is considered as a common food allergy. The difference with other food allergies is that it is only outgrown by about 9% of children. The other types are outgrown once a child reaches 5 years old.
Tree nuts have the tendency to be highly allergic and can result to an anaphylactic shock. The nasal congestion is one of the initial indications of anaphylaxis and can occur along with a rapid heart rate, faint pulse and lightheadedness. The allergy can also trigger hives, swollen lips and difficulty breathing. A doctor should be consulted if these symptoms become persistent.
Wheat
Wheat allergy can also cause nasal congestion. If an individual is allergic to wheat, it is often confused with wheat intolerance. When it comes to wheat intolerance, it involves lack or absence of the right enzymes that are needed to properly digest wheat.
The most common wheat allergy is to the gluten protein. Individuals who have been diagnosed with wheat allergy should inform family members and friends of the condition and advised to wear a medical alert bracelet in case of emergency.
Milk
Milk allergy is characterized as hypersensitivity of the immune system to the proteins present in cow’s milk. Always bear in mind that cow’s milk can cause increased nasal congestion due to the allergic reaction and ability of cow’s milk to generate mucus.
An individual with milk allergy can suffer from other symptoms aside from the nasal congestion such as diarrhea, stomach pain and hives. Take note that milk is divided into 2 parts – curd and whey. The whey is the liquid component of milk while curd is the component used to produce cheese.
Many individuals are highly sensitive to the proteins in either component of milk. Even if an individual is only allergic to whey, it is recommended to avoid all dairy products due to the risk of cross-contamination.