Possible Food Allergies in An Adult

Hi Dr. Cason,

I am an adult with what I believe is a food allergy. I noticed a couple of years ago that after I ate theater popcorn with butter, within a half hour I began with an itchy throat, a cough, and increased production of mucous and nasal drainage. A few days ago I was on a flight and ate some of the airline peanuts, the same thing occurred. Yesterday, I ate some banana chips...over the course of 30 minuets...I had the same symptom....I read the label on the banana chips and it said they were processed in a plant that also handles peanuts and other nuts...what is your take on this?

Anonymous


Hi,


It certainly sounds suspicious for a food allergy. It is not uncommon for adults who have previously tolerated a food, to suddenly have an allergy. I would definitely visit your physician where they can do some blood testing and possibly do either a skin test or refer you to an allergist.

Remember the gold standard for food allergies is whether you are able to tolerate eating the food. If the blood and skin test come up negative and you still have symptoms when you eat a food then by definition you are allergic. The opposite is also true. If the blood and skin test come up positive and yet you have no symptoms when you eat a food then by definition you are not allergic.

Keeping this in mind then I would not test everything under the sun, just the foods you are concerned with. Peanuts sound reasonable. I'm not sure what to make of the popcorn reaction. It could be that the oil the popcorn was popped with was peanut oil. That would fit with the other reactions.

So bottom line- go see your doctor and get an Epi Pen. Keep two with you at all times until you can get some more answers as to your possible allergies. Better to be safe!

Take care.

Sheila Cason MD