allergies

[Guest guest]

I think I have had allergies in recent years also, but have never quite been

sure what has triggered it. My symptoms are tingling in the lips and then

swelling starting in the lips and progressing through my face and sometimes

including my tongue.

I've heard that vegetables in the nightshade plant group can be a cause of

allergic reaction. Their skin harbors most of the toxin (Belladonna) so

peeling the vegetable does help. Reducing the amount of the skin or number

of times per week that you eat the offending vegetable can also help. The

ones to avoid: tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant. I do eat them, but

in significantly smaller portions (usually without skin) than before.

The last incidence I had was a soup served at a very good restaurant; in

fact, a restaurant with many " healthy " choices on their menu.

When I phoned for the ingredients in the soup, the manager was very helpful.

The only thing that I had not eaten in a long time was soy sauce. I can eat

tofu and the frozen tofu desserts, if I want, but there is something about

the fermented soy that seems to set me off. I've been free of symptoms

since avoiding it. No, I do not have a gluten problem; I use whole grain

breads, including real whole wheat bread, without any deleterious effects.

A friend has used the avoidance diet to determine the foods to which she is

allergic; it was a slow process, but has paid off for her. I guess it

depends on how much you are hurting as to whether or not it is worth it.

I hope this will be of some help.

Ruth P.