Allergies are more common than many people realize. 50 million people in the United States suffer from some type of allergy. 1 Many people who experience allergic reactions do not realize it because they have not been formally diagnosed with an allergy. The following symptoms can indicate you may have allergies.
Skin Rash
Itchy rashes are common allergic reactions, and a rash on one part of the body can indicate an allergic reaction to something that has had contact with an entirely different part of the body, such as in a case when a rash on a boy’s abdomen was the result of an allergic reaction to the nickel in his braces. 2 Many people think that a rash must be a reaction to something that touched the affected area, such as a topical cream, but this is not always the case.
Chronic skin conditions such as acne and eczema can be indicative of an allergy or sensitivity to dairy or other substances. 3 Dairy allergies are very common, especially in children. Up to 3% of children in the western world are allergic to dairy products. 4 If you or your child experience unexplained skin problems, dairy or another allergen may be the culprit.
Stomach Cramps
Some people experience sharp abdominal pain or stomach cramps as a reaction to allergen exposure, which is particularly common in allergic reactions to lactose 5. There are a number of other potential causes of abdominal cramps, such as PMS or endometriosis, but if you are experiencing regular painful stomach cramps that do not have an obvious cause, it is a good idea to look into the possibility that you may have an undiagnosed allergy.
Brain Fog & Fatigue
When your body is exposed to an allergen, it releases histamine. Although we often think of antihistamines as causing fatigue, histamine itself can cause you to feel very tired, because the production of histamine to fight allergic response simultaneously causes inflammation, which in turn can cause fatigue. 6 Many people experience chronic tiredness and/or brain fog as a symptom of allergic reaction, but often ignore it because they do not typically associate it with allergies.
There are many other symptoms that can manifest as a result of an allergy or sensitivity to food or your environment.
A naturopathic doctor can help you determine whether you are experiencing allergies, and may recommend an elimination diet to identify the culprit(s) of your symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, get in touch with a naturopathic doctor to determine whether they are allergy related.
If you are interested in a career in holistic health, becoming a naturopathic doctor may be the right path for you.
