Government figures suggest that 2% of the population are allergic or intolerant to certain foods but many experts believe the figure is much higher, closer to 25%.

	What is an allergy? An allergy is caused by allergens. These are tiny particles found in food or the environment. Most people are unaffected by allergens but in some people they cause a 'reaction'. When certain foods cause a reaction it is known as an allergy. A reaction can be mild, moderate or severe. A severe reaction can cause people to become very ill or unconscious. Other types of reaction include eczema, sneezing and asthma attacks. The same allergen can affect different people in different ways.
	Who is affected by food allergies? Anyone can have a food allergy and at any age. You may outgrow those that you have in childhood or you may find that you develop an allergy as you get older. The only way to test if you are allergic to something is to have a skin test or to cut that item of food out of your diet to see if the symptoms stop. You must contact a doctor or a qualified nutritionist for advice about how to do this. Rare allergies are harder to detect. Occasionally you may have a reaction to food that is not caused by allergens. This is called food intolerance and the causes of this vary. Often the reaction is caused because you lack the enzymes that help you digest that particular food.
	What are the most common foods that cause allergies? Any type of food or food ingredient can produce an allergic reaction but there are certain food types that doctors have identified as causing particular problems for some people: Milk and milk products Can cause migraine or eczema. They sometimes affects people's bowels, giving them constipation or alternatively diarrhoea. Gluten Found in flour and flour products such as bread and biscuits or processed foods, gluten can trigger a migraine or give you a 'bloated' feeling. Eggs (egg whites in particular) Occasionally result in rashes or stomach upsets. Fish May cause migraine, sickness, rashes and swelling or stomach upsets. Shellfish Can give some people stomach upsets or a migraine. Nuts (peanuts in particular) Can produce a severe reaction in a small percentage of people, particularly young people. In others an allergic reaction may cause rashes, swelling, asthma or eczema. Soya beans Used in many 'alternative' foods, soya beans can result in headaches or indigestion. Food Additives Occurring in packaged foods and drinks, additives are sometimes considered to affect a person's behaviour.
	What is the best way to cope with an allergy? The first thing to do if you suspect you have an allergy is to contact your doctor for advice. The doctor will probably arrange a skin test. If a doctor finds that you are allergic to a certain food type he may suggest an elimination diet. This type of diet must only be carried out on medical advice. It is dangerous to cut major foods out of your diet without professional guidance. The doctor will help you design a healthy diet. If the symptoms stop, he will gradually re-introduce the foods you have cut out until you discover which ones are causing the problems. You will need to keep an accurate record of your food intake and symptoms to help the doctor identify the problem and it may take some time to find the exact cause of the reaction. If the symptoms continue then there may be other medical reasons for your problems. Allerdays web site http://www.allerdays.com/ looks at all types of allergies including those associated with food.

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