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 with food allergies know 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 to soothe stomachaches and six ideas for relieving skin irritations related to food allergies.
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Food Intolerance vs. Food Allergy
Most adults know what it's like to experience a strong reaction to food. But most of these reactions are caused by a food intolerance, not a food allergy.
It's easy to confuse the two because many of the signs and symptoms can be the same. But they are influenced by different parts of the body.
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 a digestive enzyme pill or antacid.
Food Allergy
On the other hand, a food allergy results from your immune system reacting to a specific food. For instance, if you have an allergy to peanut butter, your immune system recognizes peanut butter as an allergen—a true invader. Your immune system reacts to its presence by producing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE).
TheFood 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) and tree 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 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.
The heat will help loosen and relax your muscles. As a result, it should relieve some discomfort. Just be sure to protect your skin from a burn by placing a towel on your skin first.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has 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.
Test tube studies have shown apple cider vinegar was effective at killing E.coliand may be an effective form of treatment for people infected by this bacteria. Clinical studies in humans are still needed.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile can help ease stomach pain. It does this by working as an anti-inflammatory. It also relaxes the stomach muscles.As the muscle in the upper digestive tract relaxes, the contractions that move food through it ease up. This, in turn, relieves the pain of cramping and spasms and calms upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea.
If you can't find chamomile tea bags, you can make your own by mixing 2 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers in hot water. Strain the flowers after a few minutes, and drink the tea with a dash of honey.
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 ale
- Ginger root
- Ginger tea
Ginger for Nausea Relief
Mint
Mint leaves have many health benefits. In the form of peppermint oil, they can:
- Relax muscles in the stomach
- Soothe an inflamed or irritated stomach
Digestion improves as the mint helps bile flow 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 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 properties and has been used for many years to treat skin conditions.
Although it’s a natural anti-inflammatory, it may cause contact dermatitis in 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
Products containing calamine can help relieve itching by cooling your skin. Here's how to applycalamine lotiondirectly to your skin:
- Thoroughly shake the bottle.
- Squeeze some lotion onto a cotton pad or cloth.
- Apply the pad or cloth directly to the hives, itching, or swelling.
- Let the area dry.
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 oatmeal for bathing) or one or two handfuls of baking soda.
Colloidal as Emollient
You can find colloidal oatmeal near other skincare products at the store. Colloidal oatmeal is made by crushing oat grain into a fine powder. As an emollient, it's a natural way to soothe and soften skin.
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, an over-the-counter antihistamine may 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
Food allergies can cause an upset stomach. Fortunately, you can soothe stomach pains by trying some at-home treatments. Placing a heating pad or hot water bottle on your stomach can help ease pain and discomfort. Using herbal remedies such as chamomile, mint, and ginger root can also help. Food allergies can also cause hives, itching, and swelling. A number of treatments can tame these discomforts, too.
Quick Home Remedies for Mild Food Allergies
