What Foods Make Allergies Worse? | UK Meds Online

If you've ever felt like you're allergic to something, do you know that there are foods that could make you worse? 

When you are having allergy symptoms, doctors usually recommend avoiding certain foods. But if you don’t know which foods are good and which foods to avoid, in this blog, we will provide you with the answers you are looking for.

Let’s start!

What Are Allergies and Their Types?

Allergies are nothing but your body's reaction when you eat or touch something that your body takes as a dangerous contact. It may be dust, pollen, or certain foods, that you are allergic to. Your mind processes this as a threat, and your body rejects it, so it causes you you sneeze, itch, or experience other uncomfortable symptoms. You can call these as your immune system allergies.

There are different types of allergies you should know about:

Food Allergies

Food allergies are caused by eating some food that like nuts, milk or seafood. You can check the food allergy symptoms as some children and elders might have milk allergies.

Seasonal Allergies

When the season changes, your body has to adjust itself, but during the transition, most people experience itching in their eyes and wateriness.

Skin Allergies

Skin allergies are caused by some plants or using soaps. Cedar, birch, ash, and aspen are common sources.

Pet Allergies

Caused by the fur of pets or their saliva if you come into contact with it.

Dust and Mould Allergies

It can be caused by dust particles and mould in the air.

Medicine Allergies

Some medicines, such as antibiotics, can cause rashes or swelling and ultimately make you feel allergic.

Avoid These Foods When You Have Allergic Rhinitis

Milk, Cheese

Dairy products like butter and cheese will increase mucus production and will make your nose feel even stuffier. The more mucus you produce the harder it will be for you to breathe.

Oranges, Lemons

Citrus is found in oranges, lemons and limes and when you eat them they release histamine from the body, you will have sneezing, runny nose cough etc.

Peanuts, Walnuts, Almonds

Nuts have proteins which can cause allergic reactions and your immune system overreacts, leaving you feeling more congested.

Chili Peppers and Hot Sauce are Spicy Foods.

Spicy foods like peppers and chilli can irritate your nose and throat, causing you to swell and sneeze more, making it harder to breathe.

Junk Food, Cookies, Chips, etc.

These foods may include chemicals that can trigger your immune system and cause your histamine levels to rise, making your allergies worse.

In other words, you should avoid these foods because of different reasons. Histamine is the chemical that causes allergy symptoms (like sneezing and congestion) and it triggers more of it. So if your allergic rhinitis is bad, it may be worth avoiding them.

What Happens if You Keep Eating Food You're Allergic To Your Body?

Allergic or histamine foods like cheese, fermented foods, and cured meats can cause rashes on the body. Here we will take a look at the reasons why you should avoid using these foods. 

What foods cause stiffness and nose blocking in seasonal allergies?

Dairy products cause stiffness in the nose and it will make you feel tedious to breathe properly, try to avoid anything that is related to dairy products. 

Why should you avoid citrus fruits like oranges and lemons during seasonal allergies?

Citrus fruits release histamine in your body as they cause sneezing and a runny nose, so it is recommended to avoid using these fruits. 

How do nuts like peanuts and almonds affect your immune system in seasonal allergies?

Nuts like peanuts and almonds, as they cause your immune system to overreact and you feel more congested.

Why can spicy foods like chilli peppers and hot sauce make breathing harder during seasonal allergies?

Spicy foods, like chilli peppers and hot sauce, can irritate your nose and throat and will create problems in breathing.

Are gluten intolerance and allergy the same?

Gluten intolerance is an allergy itself, but if you take gluten in wheat, barley etc then you might get worse your allergy like bloating and stomach pain etc.

Top 20 Food Allergies

These are the 20 foods that might be recommended by doctors not to use when you have the symptoms of the allergy.

Food Item

Cause

Reactions in the Body

Peanuts

Proteins in peanuts

Difficulty breathing, swelling and skin reactions

Tree Nuts

Proteins in tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts)

Swelling, anaphylaxis, digestive issues, hives

Milk (Dairy)

Casein and whey proteins

Anaphylaxis, stomach cramps, bloating, skin rashes

Eggs

Proteins in egg whites and yolks

Skin reactions, Respiratory problems, and Digestive issues

Wheat

Gluten and wheat proteins

Stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, celiac disease.

Soy

Soy proteins

Swelling, skin reactions, difficulty breathing

Fish

Proteins in fish like cod, salmon, and tuna

Itchy throat, hives, swelling, trouble breathing

Shellfish

Proteins in crustaceans (e.g., shrimp, lobster)

Hives, difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis.

Sesame Seeds

Proteins in sesame seeds

Anaphylaxis, hives, swelling and difficulty breathing

Mustard

Proteins in mustard seeds

Swollen, rash, gastrointestinal.

Peas

Proteins in legumes

Stomach issues, difficulty breathing, skin rash

Celery

Proteins in celery

Swollen, itchy mouth, gastrointestinal issues

Lupin

Proteins in lupin beans

NAS refers to hives, digestive upset, and difficulty breathing.

Coconut

Proteins in coconut

Rash, swelling, anaphylaxis

Tomatoes

Proteins in tomatoes

Digestive troubles, skin rashes, swelling

Carrots

Proteins in raw carrots

Itchy mouth, throat irritation, swelling.

Bananas

Proteins in bananas

Swellings, skin rash, itchy mouth

Avocados

Proteins related to latex

Itching, throat irritation, swelling

Apples

Proteins in apples related to birch pollen

Itching mouth, throat sore, swelling.

Foods That Help with Seasonal Allergies

If you believe you have allergies related to seasonal changes, there are certain foods that you must avoid to stay away from the worse conditions and there are foods you can use. For example, honey can help your body against the pollen impact and reduce sneezing. Leafy greens such as spinach and kale have important vitamins that support your immune system. Some foods can cause inflammation, so use Ginger and turmeric as they are anti-inflammatory foods that are used as perfect for your nose and throat when you're dealing with allergies.

What Next

In case you have an allergy, using an anti-allergic diet is essential to keep you safe from seasonal allergies. We recommend you consult with UK Meds Online so that you have a personalised diet plan which supports your immune system and helps to reduce allergic reactions.

Also, you can access a wide range of medications through our experts' consultations, which include allergy treatments and products tailored to your needs, all available for online ordering.

Why should you go for UK Meds Online? Our specialists provide you with expert consultations about the best food for allergies. In addition, we make sure to deliver your products to you as fast and discretely as possible.

UK Meds Online understands that, with our promise of trust and transparency, you can rely on us to offer the right solutions for your allergies so that you stay safe and healthy.

Back to blog