February 11, 2009
How common is food allergy that is triggered by exercise?
I am having a hard time finding information on allergy related to exercise and how to treat them, although it is apparently not that uncommon. For example, some people (including myself) might get an allergy reaction if they eat specific foods up to two-four hours before or after exercising. One theory is that exercise increases the absorption of food proteins in the gut. I heard that some people are allergic to the chemicals produced by the body during exercise and/or heating of the body, thus break out in hives or even anaphylax when excercising. Please share any good resources or experiences in treating this type of food allergy.
Filed under allergy cure by Waqas Yousaf
Comments on How common is food allergy that is triggered by exercise? »
What it sounds like is a condition called exercise induced urticaria. You can do a Web MD search on it. I have never heard of a food allergy induced by exercising.
There's a really good support group on Yahoo for people with chronic urticaria, and I know there are some people in the group who have exactly what you describe. They can help.
And yes, it is exercise-induced anaphylaxis, in your case food-dependent. I do know that some people have been helped with the use of oral cromolyn, sold in the US as Gastrocrom. It is a mast cell stabilizing drug available with prescription. Also, since in severe cases this can lead to full-blown anaphylaxis, ask your doctor to prescribe some epi-pens if you don't already have some. They will save your life.
A really good article online is at eMedicine: