Welcome to the Messy Masterpiece Food Allergy Hub!
*Messy Masterpiece is not a medical doctor and is not responsible for diagnosis or treatment of any diagnosis or illness. Any advice or information given by Messy Masterpiece is based on personal research, opinion, and experience only. As always, please check with your doctor before trying anything new or risky. For more information, please visit my Disclaimer page for more details.
Here at MMB, we take food allergies very seriously. We know firsthand how terrifying food reactions can be. Read our full story at the Messy Masterpiece Food Allergy Journey page.
Whether it’s you or a loved one who suffers from food allergies, we believe education and awareness are the two most important steps towards developing a healthy and safe relationship with food.
Between educating our readers on the top most common food allergies, the hidden dangers of cross contamination, and providing a page dedicated to food allergy friendly recipes, we are hoping to make the world a little bit safer place for families like ours.
What Is A Food Allergy?
Simply put, a food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakes a food protein for a bad guy, like a germ or bacteria, and then overreacts to it. Instead of helping the body, the immune system ends up harming itself.
There are actually 3 forms of food reactions. The first is a true allergy. This is typically what people think of when they here someone is allergic to a certain food. The most common symptoms of a true food allergy are difficulty breathing, vomiting, hives, and anaphylaxis.
In addition to true allergies, other food reactions include intolerances and food sensitivities. Intolerances are typically diagnosed when a patient has digestive upset after eating certain foods. The most common symptoms are gas, bloating, diarrhea, or upset stomach.
Food sensitivities are much more challenging to diagnose. The symptoms of food sensitivities are more subtle and can easily be confused for other illnesses or chronic conditions. Symptoms of food sensitivities can be eczema, anxiety, asthma, inflammation, behavior changes, and restlessness. Food sensitivities can also disguise themselves as ADHD, depression, diabetes, and more. The best way to find out if food is behind it is by following an elimination paleo diet. You can find out more on the Learn About Paleo page.
Some Of My Favorite Food Allergy Resources
Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE)
FARE is a great website for newly diagnosed patients to learn more about food allergies. Sign up for updates on latest information, follow their blog for patient stories and ideas, donate to research, and check out volunteer opportunities to really make a difference in the food allergy community.
Food allergies are a struggle year round, but especially during Halloween. Here you’ll find more information on the Teal Pumpkin Project and how to trick or treat safely.
Free, printable fact sheets to keep helpful resources on hand anywhere.
EpiPens are expensive! Use the discount savings card here to reduce your pharmacy cost.
Read our story on the Messy Masterpiece Food Allergy Journey page
