Signs you may have an allergy

Many people will breathe a sigh of relief now that winter is over and spring is (finally!) here. For others, however, spring brings a new set of difficulties as their allergies kick in. Sadly, allergies are on the rise in Australia and experts aren’t sure why. What scares many health professionals is that many people have allergies without knowing; meanwhile, hospitalisations due to anaphylaxis have tripled in just over 10 years. Common allergens that lead to reactions are found in food, medications, and the environment, such as pollen and grass.

Symptoms of allergic reactions include:

• Swelling of face, mouth and eyes
• Runny nose and/or sneezing
• Skin rash
• Tightness in throat
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting and diarrhoea
• Eczema
• …and more.

Food allergies

Although it’s typical for food allergies to be diagnosed in childhood, many adults find out they have a food allergy later in life. Feeling physically exhausted and weak may be allergies disguised as sleep deprivation and the energy demands of having young children.

Seeing a health professional for a blood test is the best way to determine whether you have an allergy. If there is a diagnosis, life can change dramatically, which may be difficult at first – especially with kids. But through education, asking health professionals for advice and learning how to read nutrition labels, adapting to an allergy becomes a lot easier. Especially because the rise of food allergies has brought an influx of healthy, allergen-free foods. Finding foods free of allergens, such as gluten, egg and cow’s milk, can be a breeze. At Flannerys, we’re proud to provide thousands of products appropriate for different food allergies. The best part? They taste bloody awesome. Our in-store Naturopaths are happy to provide complimentary health advice, such as supplements that can support the management of allergies. Fusion Health have a range of allergy specific supplements that target relief from hay fever, sinus pain and congestion, skin rash, gastrointestinal problems and plenty more.

If you think you may have an allergy, seek help from your GP or healthcare professional immediately.