Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

Do you think you have an MSG allergy? Going out to eat is always a challenge because typically you don’t know what is in the food you are eating. Whether you think its a food intolerance, an allergy or an adverse reaction you don’t want to be on the other end. MSG otherwise known as monosodium glutamate is used in more food than the average American thinks.

Monosodium glutamate is a chemical used by food manufacturers as well as Asian cooks. It is used to enhance the flavor of food. It does even more than this in that it and other chemicals are used in food to make them appear more abundant and nutritious than they are. It also makes people feel full faster. An MSG allergy is hard to manage when eating out because usually you can’t tell what the spices or chemicals are that may have been added to the food. You actually have to try asking the waiter and they sometimes are reluctant to give the full lists in their recipes.

MSG is thought to usually be found in ethnic foods, such as those cooked in Chinese restaurants but the reality is that the actual chemical monosodium glutamate is used in everyday things such as certain chip type snacks and instant soups. Even a well known fast food chicken restaurant is said to use it. If you have an MSG allergy, particularly if your reactions are severe, you should pick what you eat very carefully.

You may be asking what are the symptoms for MSG allergies?

Typical food allergies upset the stomach but it appears that those with an MSG allergy are usually plagued by headaches, some throbbing and severe. They can experience dizziness, tightening of the jaw and/or throat. If you suspect you are having an adverse reaction to msg check with and allergist who can provide you with a more comprehensive list.

So how do you prevent your MSG allergy?

• Ask for ingredient lists when you go out to a restaurant. Thought this still is a little difficult it is getting better as the US is passing laws aimed at getting restaurants to provide healthier foods. The banning of trans fats in some cities is a good example of this. Fast food restaurants in particular are attempting to provide some nutritional information. You just need to understand how complete it is though.
• Ask for a dish to be prepared without monosodium glutamate if at all possible. In theory this can be done the issue is whether the restaurant will be able or willing to accommodate you.
• Inform anyone cooking for you, even at home about your MSG sensitivity so they are looking at the ingredient list of anything they use in their cooking.

Reactions to MSG can be severe to the point of requiring immediate medical attention. An MSG allergy can best be identified by an allergist. Be sure to keep your primary care physician involved as well to make sure that your allergy is not something potentially more life threatening. The allergist has a better idea of the full range of foods that have MSG and therefore he will be able to help you identify which ones better.

As with any food allergy the key is to avoid it once you know what it is. An MSG allergy does not have to ruin your appreciation for food. You can still enjoy Chinese food. Just make sure to ask questions everywhere you eat food, the danger is in more places than you think.

Allergies in children are a big concern for today’s parent. As mentioned in the previous article my 2 young children are experiencing allergy symptoms and I want to make sure to do what is best for keeping them comfortable and safe. My initial concerns with my children came up pretty early particularly with my son who developed asthma as a baby.

If you send your child to preschool odds are you get exposed to germs that cause anything from colds to major diseases so sometimes it is hard to tell whether your child has allergies or is experiencing the latest bug at daycare. Being sick and allergies in children are two different things and should be handled differently. To get to the truth you need to to watch and pay attention to your child to determine patterns in their reactions. Sometimes it feels like you are on an episode of CSI but it is important to look for clues to what your child is allergic to. For instance, if they are always sneezing when they come in from outside, or if they constantly get headaches at the daily and at the same time, it may be time to discuss the issue further with your pediatrician.

Allergies in children can be different than allergies in adult. That is why if is good to consult with your pediatrician first. They can help you decide whether it is time to see an allergist. If the pediatrician agrees then its time to get your child tested for allergies. An allergist will test your child for allergies and will then determine what they are allergic to. This is the ammunition you need, as a parent, to help your child manage their allergies.

The symptoms of allergies in children vary. Some children have food allergies like milk and get severe headaches or stomach aches. Food allergies in children are so common nowadays that daycare, preschools and even summer camps have strict rules about bringing something as innocent as peanut butter to school, the allergic reaction can be that severe. Other children are allergic to pets and can’t stop sneezing when they are around. Then, there are some allergies in children that are caused by something as common as the dust in your house. Only an allergist will be able to tell you for sure if your child has allergies.

Paying attention to your child is the key to controlling their allergies. Allergies in children are very common and you don’t want them to suffer silently since they don’t know enough to help themselves. You can help them learn to eliminate whatever causes them discomfort and teach them to look out for whatever triggers their symptoms, so that they can learn to make better choices on their own. Adopting the right lifestyle to manage their allergies is the key to living a normal, comfortable life. If symptoms become unmanageable then it may be time for more aggressive treatments with the guidance of your allergist.

Allergies have plagued me since my late twenties. I was surprised to think that I would be allergic to anything since I had always been the picture of health in my family. I always thought I was getting a cold. My sister and my mother both had asthma which is usually a good indication that you are prone to allergies so unfortunately they did run in my family. Now that I am in my forties and have 2 children that also exhibit symptoms it is time to get to the bottom of the mystery.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology “Estimates from a skin test survey suggest that allergies affect as many as 40 to 50 million people in the United States”.

Allergies can affect people at different ways:

• at different times of life
• during different seasons
• different allergen source

There are a number of different culprits that can cause an allergic reaction in people. The include but are not limited to pollen, dust mites, mold and foods. If you think that you are suffering from allergies, you should make an appointment with your doctor to find out what you are allergic to and what your best treatment plan options are.

Allergies are generally inherited as seen above my mother has allergies while my father doesn’t. If one or both of your parents suffer, you stand a good chance of having them also. Surprisingly you can’t assume that because your mother is allergic to eggs, you will be also. You may instead develop a reaction to pollen or mold. The genetic link is simply in whether or not you are predisposed to developing an allergy. Another possible reason for developing a reaction to a particular substance is exposure to that substance when your immune system has been weakened. After my second pregnancy I developed shingles due to exhaustion which compromised my immune system. This was in the spring and that was my worst season ever.

What Specifically is an Allergy Anyway?

Allergies occur as a result of your body’s immune system reacting incorrectly to some sort of foreign substance. Your immune system will see dust or pollen as a harmful substance to your body and react accordingly. The end result can be watery eyes, sneezing, itching, hives, and severe reactions trouble breathing. For many, the reaction will be mild and require little or no medical intervention. For others the reactions may cause a life threatening condition called Anaphylaxis. This requires immediate medical assistance. During an extreme allergic reaction, , you may initially feel itching which will quickly progress to swelling, pain and vomiting.

How can these Allergies be Managed?

Antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays are usually the first line of defense advised by doctors. Some allergies my require lifestyle changes to help you reduce your exposure to the allergen. You may have to keep your pets out of the house or attempt to maintain a dust-free environment. If your allergies become unmanageable, your doctor may also recommend immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, to “cure” your allergies and help you to have symptom-free days. Nowadays there are many options for managing your allergies. The first step is to accept that you have them. I know it took me a long time to do so. Knowledge is the key and this site will continue to explore all the developments in the areas of allergies and allergy relief.