Food allergy to cheese

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GracefulDancer4Christ
GracefulDancer4Christ Posts: 419 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I am thinking I have a food allergy to cheese should I cut it out for a month and see if that is it. or what would you advise?
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  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,021 Member
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    Possibly. Have you only started to eat cheese, and is it a specific cheese or any cheese you try?
  • GracefulDancer4Christ
    GracefulDancer4Christ Posts: 419 Member
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    cheddar cheese the other like babybel doesn't bother.
  • determined_erin
    determined_erin Posts: 571 Member
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    You can see an allergist. They will do a test and see if you are allergic. Continuing to eat cheese will make the allergy worse. I am allergic to sesame seeds/oil. I can feel the sesame burn down my throat and in my stomach. I am nauseous for about 24 hours and get hives on my lips, in my mouth, and in my throat. If you have similar symptoms, then you are allergic. The allergy may start off weak, though. Maybe you just feel a little itchy and then later it evolves into something worse if you keep eating it.
  • Dort68
    Dort68 Posts: 36 Member
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    A TRUE food allergy results in symptoms like hives, swelling of the eyes, ears, throat, shortness of breath and then anaphylactic shock sets in and your BP crashes. You cannot have a true food allergy to "Cheese"-it would be dairy as a whole.

    If it gives you gas or bloating or makes you cranky or something, it's not food allergy. Just don't eat it.

    I sound mean b/c my child has TRUE life threatening food allergies and anytime someone claims a food allergy to one specific food item it diminishes the meaning of what food allergy truly is.
  • ghhosstt
    ghhosstt Posts: 112
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    I think I read somewhere that sharper cheeses like cheddar have a lower lactose content so the fact that you can eat that makes me think perhaps there is a chance it is more specifically a lactose intolerance. How do you feel about other dairy products like yogurt, milk, and ice cream? Anyway I agree that it would be a good idea to try cutting it for a week or two to see how you do when it's reintroduced. If you are intolerant and would still like to eat your cheese there are pills you can take before certain meals. :)

    ps: my condolences. I love cheese.
  • GracefulDancer4Christ
    GracefulDancer4Christ Posts: 419 Member
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    thank you I am going to try cutting it out milk/ dairy does the same thing.
  • GracefulDancer4Christ
    GracefulDancer4Christ Posts: 419 Member
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    yes I know that is what I had with total cereal it put me in the er for 6 hours
    A TRUE food allergy results in symptoms like hives, swelling of the eyes, ears, throat, shortness of breath and then anaphylactic shock sets in and your BP crashes. You cannot have a true food allergy to "Cheese"-it would be dairy as a whole.

    If it gives you gas or bloating or makes you cranky or something, it's not food allergy. Just don't eat it.

    I sound mean b/c my child has TRUE life threatening food allergies and anytime someone claims a food allergy to one specific food item it diminishes the meaning of what food allergy truly is.
  • endoftheside
    endoftheside Posts: 568 Member
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    If fluid milk and some but not all cheese gives you problems of a digestive nature, it sounds like lactose intolerance. It definitely changed the way I view breakfast, but I definitely feel better when I do not drink milk and keep cheese to a reasonable level.
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
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    What makes you think you have an allergy to it?
  • determined_erin
    determined_erin Posts: 571 Member
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    thank you I am going to try cutting it out milk/ dairy does the same thing.

    If milk/dairy does the same thing, then you are probably lactose intolerant. This would not be considered an allergy, then.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
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    If something makes you feel bad/gross/uncomfortable cut it out of your diet for 3 months.
    After 3 months if you want, try to reintroduce it into your diet, if those feelings come back, avoid it.

    It's probably not an actual allergy, you can get an allergy test done (they are NOT fun) but you would likely have severe reactions if you were actually allergic.

    But whether it's a intolerance or not, if a certain food makes you feel crappy, and you've determined that it is a specific food, just stop eating it. If you really like cheese you can try goat cheese (I can't handle cheese from cow's milk, but goat cheese seems to be ok with my digestive system) or you can try something like Daiya (made from arrowroot and tapioca flour) it doesn't taste exactly like cheese, but I've used the shreds on homemade Pizza before and they've done the trick.
  • crista_b
    crista_b Posts: 1,192 Member
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    thank you I am going to try cutting it out milk/ dairy does the same thing.

    If milk/dairy does the same thing, then you are probably lactose intolerant. This would not be considered an allergy, then.
    Not necessarily. My boyfriend is deathly allergic to dairy (casein and lactic acid). Milk/dairy/cheese etc. will kill him. Small doses set off reactions. That's not lactose intolerance.
  • crista_b
    crista_b Posts: 1,192 Member
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    A TRUE food allergy results in symptoms like hives, swelling of the eyes, ears, throat, shortness of breath and then anaphylactic shock sets in and your BP crashes. You cannot have a true food allergy to "Cheese"-it would be dairy as a whole.

    If it gives you gas or bloating or makes you cranky or something, it's not food allergy. Just don't eat it.

    I sound mean b/c my child has TRUE life threatening food allergies and anytime someone claims a food allergy to one specific food item it diminishes the meaning of what food allergy truly is.
    It could be something IN the cheese that sets it off so it's possible that it's not all dairy. Also, an allergic reaction could present slightly differently if it's a minor allergy. For instance, I'm mildly allergic to hops (yes, confirmed by a doctor) and if I drink beer, I can have a taste and be fine, but if I drink more than about 6oz. I'll get hot and dizzy and start throwing up, but I don't get hives or seize up.

    ETA: Sometimes it's easier to say the main food that includes the ingredient you're allergic to than the ingredient itself which may be why OP said cheese (esp. if she hasn't figured out the specific ingredient yet). I usually just say I'm allergic to beer, instead of hops.
  • determined_erin
    determined_erin Posts: 571 Member
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    Not necessarily. My boyfriend is deathly allergic to dairy (casein and lactic acid). Milk/dairy/cheese etc. will kill him. Small doses set off reactions. That's not lactose intolerance.

    Oh interesting, thanks for sharing. I never knew an allergy existed like that.
  • crista_b
    crista_b Posts: 1,192 Member
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    Not necessarily. My boyfriend is deathly allergic to dairy (casein and lactic acid). Milk/dairy/cheese etc. will kill him. Small doses set off reactions. That's not lactose intolerance.

    Oh interesting, thanks for sharing. I never knew an allergy existed like that.
    Yep. It sucks because we have to be extremely careful with everything. You'd be surprised how many foods have casein in them.
  • Rilke
    Rilke Posts: 1,201 Member
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    Make an appointment with an allergist. Food allergies can be adult onset.
  • ShanR77
    ShanR77 Posts: 287 Member
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    There is a possibility that you are just sensitive to certain foods. If that's the case the best thing to do is just stay away from them. I've recently discovered i'm sensitive to gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, mussels and crab. It's pretty hard to stay away from all that but in the long run you'll feel a whole lot better.
  • Bekahmardis
    Bekahmardis Posts: 602 Member
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    IF - and only if! - you are able to rule out an actual allergy and determine that it is lactose intolerance, there are aids out there. I have a lactose intolerance, but am able to eat small doses *SMALL* doses of dairy with the help of Lactaid or a generic. I still have issues when I eat more than a cup of Macaroni and cheese or if I totally splurge out and have a double scoop Culver's vanilla waffle cone, but if I'm sensible about it, I do okay.

    Best of luck!?!
  • MightyDomo
    MightyDomo Posts: 1,265 Member
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    Cheese only or is it most dairy products that cause you discomfort?

    Lactose intolerance is different for different people, I can eat certain brands and have no issue, and all greek yogurts no problem there either (so far) but when it comes to cheese only specific kinds I am fine with and I very much mean specific as others will give me severe indigestion, gas or even make my cheeks and lips swell.

    Does this sound like what happens to you? Or do you have allergic reactions to it? ie. hives/rashes, asphyxia or shortness of breath, edemia of the hands, face and other extremities, migraines or severe headaches or lightheadedness, or in the worst case anaphylaxis
  • matmantn
    matmantn Posts: 3 Member
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    I was unable to breathe through my nose from childhood until my mid-thirties. I didn't have drainage, the inside of my nostrils were just always swollen. The only thing that helped was the sticky nose-strip that people place on the outside of their nose to stop snoring. I saw several doctors/specialists who told me the best option was prescription nasal spray.

    Three years ago, I removed many items from my diet (including cheese) and added them back one at a time. Within 4 months of removing dairy products my sinuses were completely clear. Since then, I've narrowed it to certain cheeses that close my nostrils within an hour or so of eating (dominos pizza is almost instant). I still eat some cheese (because cheese is awesome), but only about once a week.

    I don't know if that means I have an allergy, or if I'm lactose intolerant, or if I have a rare condition known as cheese-nose... but I can prove 100%, without a doubt, that eating certain cheeses will consistently cause my nostrils to close up. I hope this helps.

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