Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIntolerance vs. AllergyStomach ReliefSkin Relief
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Intolerance vs. Allergy
Stomach Relief
Skin Relief
Few things can be more uncomfortable than a rumbling stomach, especially when you have a food allergy. You may feel fine one minute and have unbearable stomach pain the next. Sometimes, you know it was something you ate. Other times, you’re not so sure.
People who deal withfood allergiesknow these feelings all too well, just as they may know the frustration of dealing with the hives, itchiness, and swelling that food allergies can also spawn. And when you need relief, you need it now.
This article offers six ways tosoothe stomachachesand six ideas for relieving skin irritations related to food allergies.
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Food Intolerance vs. Food Allergy
Food Intolerance
A food intolerance response involves the digestive system. It occurs when your body is unable to break down an offending food or your body is sensitive to a particular chemical or additive in food.
Your gastrointestinal symptoms may include diarrhea and vomiting. Even so, you may be able to eat small amounts of this food, especially with the aid of adigestive enzyme pillor antacid.
Food Allergy
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 identified eight foods responsible for most food allergies: eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soybeans, tree nuts, and wheat. In 2021 the FDA added one more: sesame.
These antibodies signal the cells to release chemicals, which in turn cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of allergic reactions to foods often show up on the skin in the form of hives, itchiness, and swelling.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt After Eating Nuts?Peanuts (actually a legume, not a nut) andtree nuts(such as almonds, cashews, pistachios, and walnuts) may cause stomach pain in people who are allergic to them.Raw nuts contain phytates and tannins that can be hard for some people to tolerate or digest, causing stomach pain or bloating.Cooked nuts have much lower levels of phytates and tannins so they may be better tolerated.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt After Eating Nuts?
Peanuts (actually a legume, not a nut) andtree nuts(such as almonds, cashews, pistachios, and walnuts) may cause stomach pain in people who are allergic to them.Raw nuts contain phytates and tannins that can be hard for some people to tolerate or digest, causing stomach pain or bloating.Cooked nuts have much lower levels of phytates and tannins so they may be better tolerated.
Peanuts (actually a legume, not a nut) andtree nuts(such as almonds, cashews, pistachios, and walnuts) may cause stomach pain in people who are allergic to them.
Raw nuts contain phytates and tannins that can be hard for some people to tolerate or digest, causing stomach pain or bloating.Cooked nuts have much lower levels of phytates and tannins so they may be better tolerated.
11 Common Food Intolerances
How to Relieve Stomach Pain From Food Allergies
Here are six home remedies that may ease your stomach pain.
Heating Pad
Place a heating pad or a hot water bottle on your stomach to help reduce pain. Even soaking in a warm bath may help.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegarhas been found to have antimicrobial qualities, meaning it has properties that can kill or slow the growth of microbes like bacteria, viruses and fungi.It helps soothe the stomach and aid in digestion.
The smell may strike you as strong when you open the bottle, but try not to be put off. You can mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of hot water. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to make the drink more appealing.
Chamomile Tea
Ginger Root
Ginger contains chemicals that have been found to relax muscles.The chemicals especially relax muscles in the intestinal tract so that food moves along easily. They also help relieve stomach cramps.
Ginger, which is also good at relieving nausea, can be found in:
Ginger for Nausea Relief
Mint
Mint leaves have many health benefits. In the form of peppermint oil, they can:
Digestion improves as the mint helpsbileflow more efficiently. This allows food to digest more quickly. It also encourages the stomach muscles to relax.
Seltzer and Lime
Lime can help soothe an aching stomach. Lime’s scent actually causes your mouth to water, increasing the production of saliva. With more saliva, your stomach increases its production of digestive juices. As a result, it helps your digestion.
The acidity of the lime also continues to stimulate the digestive system, bile, and acids. All of this helps soothe the stomach as food moves more quickly and easily through it.
A Good Burp Can Relieve PressureSlice a lime and add it to a glass of seltzer. While the lime soothes the stomach, the carbonation can cause you to burp—relieving stomach pressure at the same time. This remedy follows the lead of lemon-lime soda, which generations of people have used to calm an upset stomach.
A Good Burp Can Relieve Pressure
Slice a lime and add it to a glass of seltzer. While the lime soothes the stomach, the carbonation can cause you to burp—relieving stomach pressure at the same time. This remedy follows the lead of lemon-lime soda, which generations of people have used to calm an upset stomach.
How to Relieve Skin Irritation From Food Allergies
Try these six remedies to calm irritated skin.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a plant known for itshealing propertiesand has been used for many years to treat skin conditions.
Although it’s a natural anti-inflammatory, it may causecontact dermatitisin some people. Thus, it’s important to do a small skin patch test before applying it all over an affected area.
To do a skin patch test, apply a tiny amount of aloe vera to a small area of skin. The inside of the forearm is a good place for such a test. If no signs of irritation surface within 24 hours, it should be safe to apply aloe vera to a larger area.
Calamine Lotion
Keep Calamine CloseTo relieve your skin symptoms, you may have to apply a layer of the familiar pink lotion several times a day.
Keep Calamine Close
To relieve your skin symptoms, you may have to apply a layer of the familiar pink lotion several times a day.
Cool Down the Itch
Use a cold compress or apply something cool to your skin to relieve irritation. Wrap a handful of ice or a bag of frozen veggies (like peas or corn) in a towel and press against the affected area for up to 20 minutes at a time. Repeat as needed throughout the day.
If your itching intensifies, taking a bath with an anti-itch solution might help. Try oatmeal (specifically marketed ascolloidal oatmealfor bathing) or one or two handfuls of baking soda.
Colloidal as Emollient
Keep Cool
Heat can make itching worse. Wear lightweight clothing and keep the temperature in your house cool and comfortable. If your skin is sensitive anyway, keep in mind that some fabrics are easier to wear than others. Fabrics made from natural fibers, such as cotton, silk, linen, and merino wool are best.
While you’re at it, avoid sitting in direct sunlight.
OTC Antihistamines
If you experience a mild food allergy with hives or itching, anover-the-counter antihistaminemay help.At the first sign of a reaction, it usually gets right to work at relieving symptoms.
In addition to easing skin irritation, an OTC antihistamine can counter congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help skin irritation and inflammation.Witch hazel is sometimes used as an astringent for oily skin, so it might dry out the skin, which could make it itch more.
As such, use witch hazel as a toner on irritated skin: Wash your skin with a gentle cleaner. Then put a few drops of witch hazel on a cotton ball and dab it on the affected area. Apply a layer of moisturizer, rubbing the area repeatedly to lock in the moisture.
Witch hazel is a yellow, flowering shrub that blooms in the early months of fall. It thrives in dense woodlands and near streams. As a botanical remedy, witch hazel has been used for hundreds of years, especially in teas.
Summary
Quick Home Remedies for Mild Food Allergies
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Medical School.Is it a food intolerance, allergy, or something else?U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Food allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Tree nut.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Are anti-nutrients harmful?Gopal J, Anthonydhason V, Muthu M, et al.Authenticating apple cider vinegar’s home remedy claims: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties and cytotoxicity aspect.Nat Prod Res. 2019;33(6):906-910. doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1413567Yagnik D, Ward M, Shah AJ.Antibacterial apple cider vinegar eradicates methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and resistant Escherichia coli. Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 20;11(1):1854. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-78407-xMota AC, de Castro RD, de Araújo Oliveira J, et al.Antifungal Activity of Apple Cider Vinegar on Candida Species Involved in Denture Stomatitis. J Prosthodont. 2015 Jun;24(4):296-302. doi: 10.1111/jopr.12207NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chamomile.Townsend EA, Siviski ME, Zhang Y, Xu C, Hoonjan B, Emala CW.Effects of ginger and its constituents on airway smooth muscle relaxation and calcium regulation.Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2013;48(2):157-163. doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1413567.Prasad S, Tyagi AK.Ginger and its constituents: Role in prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2015;2015:142979. doi:10.1155/2015/142979.NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Aloe vera.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat chickenpox.National Eczema Society.Clothing and eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: diagnosis and treatment.Piazza S, Martinelli G, Magnavacca A, et al. Unveiling the Ability of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginianaL.)Bark Extract to Impair Keratinocyte Inflammatory Cascade Typical of Atopic Eczema. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 17;23(16):9279. doi: 10.3390/ijms23169279Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K.Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents?J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 May;7(5):36-44. PMID: 24847408
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Medical School.Is it a food intolerance, allergy, or something else?U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Food allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Tree nut.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Are anti-nutrients harmful?Gopal J, Anthonydhason V, Muthu M, et al.Authenticating apple cider vinegar’s home remedy claims: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties and cytotoxicity aspect.Nat Prod Res. 2019;33(6):906-910. doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1413567Yagnik D, Ward M, Shah AJ.Antibacterial apple cider vinegar eradicates methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and resistant Escherichia coli. Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 20;11(1):1854. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-78407-xMota AC, de Castro RD, de Araújo Oliveira J, et al.Antifungal Activity of Apple Cider Vinegar on Candida Species Involved in Denture Stomatitis. J Prosthodont. 2015 Jun;24(4):296-302. doi: 10.1111/jopr.12207NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chamomile.Townsend EA, Siviski ME, Zhang Y, Xu C, Hoonjan B, Emala CW.Effects of ginger and its constituents on airway smooth muscle relaxation and calcium regulation.Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2013;48(2):157-163. doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1413567.Prasad S, Tyagi AK.Ginger and its constituents: Role in prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2015;2015:142979. doi:10.1155/2015/142979.NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Aloe vera.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat chickenpox.National Eczema Society.Clothing and eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: diagnosis and treatment.Piazza S, Martinelli G, Magnavacca A, et al. Unveiling the Ability of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginianaL.)Bark Extract to Impair Keratinocyte Inflammatory Cascade Typical of Atopic Eczema. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 17;23(16):9279. doi: 10.3390/ijms23169279Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K.Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents?J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 May;7(5):36-44. PMID: 24847408
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Medical School.Is it a food intolerance, allergy, or something else?U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Food allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Tree nut.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Are anti-nutrients harmful?Gopal J, Anthonydhason V, Muthu M, et al.Authenticating apple cider vinegar’s home remedy claims: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties and cytotoxicity aspect.Nat Prod Res. 2019;33(6):906-910. doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1413567Yagnik D, Ward M, Shah AJ.Antibacterial apple cider vinegar eradicates methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and resistant Escherichia coli. Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 20;11(1):1854. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-78407-xMota AC, de Castro RD, de Araújo Oliveira J, et al.Antifungal Activity of Apple Cider Vinegar on Candida Species Involved in Denture Stomatitis. J Prosthodont. 2015 Jun;24(4):296-302. doi: 10.1111/jopr.12207NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chamomile.Townsend EA, Siviski ME, Zhang Y, Xu C, Hoonjan B, Emala CW.Effects of ginger and its constituents on airway smooth muscle relaxation and calcium regulation.Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2013;48(2):157-163. doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1413567.Prasad S, Tyagi AK.Ginger and its constituents: Role in prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2015;2015:142979. doi:10.1155/2015/142979.NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Aloe vera.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat chickenpox.National Eczema Society.Clothing and eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: diagnosis and treatment.Piazza S, Martinelli G, Magnavacca A, et al. Unveiling the Ability of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginianaL.)Bark Extract to Impair Keratinocyte Inflammatory Cascade Typical of Atopic Eczema. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 17;23(16):9279. doi: 10.3390/ijms23169279Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K.Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents?J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 May;7(5):36-44. PMID: 24847408
Harvard Medical School.Is it a food intolerance, allergy, or something else?
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Food allergies.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Tree nut.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Are anti-nutrients harmful?
Gopal J, Anthonydhason V, Muthu M, et al.Authenticating apple cider vinegar’s home remedy claims: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties and cytotoxicity aspect.Nat Prod Res. 2019;33(6):906-910. doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1413567
Yagnik D, Ward M, Shah AJ.Antibacterial apple cider vinegar eradicates methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and resistant Escherichia coli. Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 20;11(1):1854. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-78407-x
Mota AC, de Castro RD, de Araújo Oliveira J, et al.Antifungal Activity of Apple Cider Vinegar on Candida Species Involved in Denture Stomatitis. J Prosthodont. 2015 Jun;24(4):296-302. doi: 10.1111/jopr.12207
NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chamomile.
Townsend EA, Siviski ME, Zhang Y, Xu C, Hoonjan B, Emala CW.Effects of ginger and its constituents on airway smooth muscle relaxation and calcium regulation.Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2013;48(2):157-163. doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1413567.
Prasad S, Tyagi AK.Ginger and its constituents: Role in prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2015;2015:142979. doi:10.1155/2015/142979.
NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Aloe vera.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to treat chickenpox.
National Eczema Society.Clothing and eczema.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: diagnosis and treatment.
Piazza S, Martinelli G, Magnavacca A, et al. Unveiling the Ability of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginianaL.)Bark Extract to Impair Keratinocyte Inflammatory Cascade Typical of Atopic Eczema. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Aug 17;23(16):9279. doi: 10.3390/ijms23169279
Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K.Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents?J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 May;7(5):36-44. PMID: 24847408
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