If you are highly sensitive to certain substances, you can exhibit evidence of these sensitivities by means of skin rashes, irritations, flaking or even anaphylactic hives. However, the University of California at Irvine suggests that by altering your diet and eliminating certain foods, skin reactions caused by food sensitivities can be diminished and even eliminated.
Gluten-Free Diet
A gluten-free diet eliminates all products and foods containing gluten, including wheat, barley, oats, spelt and rye. Gluten is the protein found in these grains, and can cause an allergic response in sensitive people who are intolerant to gluten protein, as indicated in the Oklahoma State University report on food allergies. Foods containing gluten can be replaced with gluten-free alternatives, including foods containing corn, rice, potato and soy flours.
Casein-Free Diet
Princeton University suggests that children who are highly sensitive to casein, such as autistic children and adults, have a higher than normal urinary peptide count. This peptide count increases when there is a lot of casein in the diet, which is found in dairy products such as milk, yogurt and butter. By eliminating casein, this peptide count decreases, reducing many of the sensitivity symptoms. Replace foods containing casein with casein-free alternatives, including rice, soy or almond milk products.
Additive-Free Diet
According to a study reported in "The Lancet," food additives can cause reactive behaviors in highly sensitive people, and can make sensitivity symptoms worse. These food additives include artificial sugars, artificial colors, artificial flavors and preservatives. Replace foods containing food additives with foods that contain natural sugars, are colored with natural pigments, and are preserved using natural substances like citric acid.
Considerations
If you are uncertain which food allergy you or or your loved may be suffering from, make an appointment with an allergy doctor. She can test your skin to determine the specific allergens you are reacting to, and can help you make out a plan for avoiding the foods that are causing you to have an allergic reaction.
References
- University of California at Irvine: Immediate Hypersensitivity: Allergy
- Oklahoma State University; Food Allergies and Food Intolerances; Janice R. Hermann; 2010
- Princeton University; An Experimental Intervention For Autism; Lisa S. Lewis; 1997
- The Lancet; Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial; Donna McCann; September 6, 2007
