Food allergy to cheese

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.

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.

There is no such thing as "mild food allergy" Your doctor is doing you no favor by letting you think you're not SEVERELY allergic. Here's a link to the definition of anaphylaxsis--and you should be carrying an Epi-Pen. Two Epi-Pens, actually.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anaphylaxis/DS00009/DSECTION=symptoms

The ingredients in cheese: milk, rennet, salt, enzymes and anatto (for color).