Is it a food allergy?

May 18, 2004

I'm a 49 year old female. Last night while eating dry roasted peanuts the right side of my face and right side under chin all of a sudden swelled up. It scared the heck out of me. I put ice on it and after a while it went down. Most of the swelling is gone now except a little under my ear/chin and it feels a little sore. Also there is a light non itchy rash in that area. What could have caused this? I have been eating peanuts all my life and never had a problem. My dinner that day was shellfish which I always eat too. Please help! -- R.F., Indiana

The symptoms described by the readers above are consistent with food allergies.

If blotchy skin and shortness of breath always occur immediately after you eat oranges, it's pretty obvious that you are allergic to oranges. You should stop eating them immediately, because the next reaction could be much more severe. If you stop eating oranges and continue to experience these symptoms, you should see your physician immediately.

If you suddenly experienced swelling in your face, neck, or throat after eating peanuts and shellfish, that's cause for concern. There is a good chance one of these foods (or the combination) caused the reaction.

You should never eat a food you suspicion has caused shortness of breath, or swelling in your face and neck area to "test" the food. Even a tiny amount of a food you are allergic to can cause a severe reaction. The next reaction could be much worse. Peanuts and shellfish are two of the most common food allergens. Both can cause severe reactions.

Immediately stop eating products with peanuts or peanut oil as well as shellfish and any other food you suspect may have caused your symptoms. Talk with your physician as soon as possible. Your physician can help you determine if a physical condition could have caused the symptoms. He can refer you to an allergist who can safely test you to foods that may be suspect.

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