Diagnosed Later In Life

I have meet two people who were diagnosed with a food allergy later in life. The first is my Mother and the second is my neighbor.

At around 40 years of age my Mother developed tingling around her lip and mouth when ever she had orange juice. It progressed to a rash and blister with brief contact, even secondhand contact. Being in the medical profession she realized that she had developed a food allergy and knew to stay away from her allergen. Some of the doctors she worked with didn't believe her until they gave her curry rice with orange zest, and she erupted with blister after one bite.

Her allergy was easily managed and avoided. She asks about fruity drinks and checks labels on her teas because orange is commonly used. She says, "I must have not been that big a fan of orange juice, because I don't even miss it."

My Mothers allergy began later in life and was very easily diagnosed as and allergy. But can you imagine spending your whole life with pain and discomfort in your stomach, because of something you ate for over 40 years, before ever knowing what it was? That was life for my neighbor Tom.

After another one of Tom's stomach episodes Susie,(his second wife) insisted that there was something wrong and took him to see a specialist. He was diagnosed with a gluten allergy and instructed on how to avoid his allergen. Susie being the amazing woman that she is, has learned to make everything gluten free. She even makes fresh bread, buns and pizza crust. She, like me, is happy that more products are becoming available on the market.

So many people think that food allergies are only happen to kids, but there don't. They are not developing in adults at the same rate as in children, but there still there. Just because you've suffered with something for the whole of your life doesn't meant it should be your norm.

If you think you have a food allergy see your doctor, ask to see a specialist if there not sure. a simple change in you diet can do wonders.