Swelling that occurs in your neck glands after eating is most likely associated with a food allergy. MayoClinic.com states that about 3 to 4 percent of all adults in the United States suffer from a food allergy. Food allergy symptoms can range from minor to severe depending on the individual. If you develop neck swelling on a consistent basis, you are most likely consuming a food allergen that is found in a wide range of foods, such as dairy, wheat or soy. Make an appointment with an allergist to determine the exact cause of your symptoms.
Food Allergy
Most food allergies are caused by seven foods: milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, soy and wheat. Other foods that commonly trigger allergic reactions include tomatoes, pineapple, melons and food additives. A food allergy occurs when your immune system experiences an exaggerated reaction to the proteins found in one or more foods. The overreaction of the immune system triggers a flood of chemicals to enter your blood stream, leading to inflammation and swelling throughout your body.
Swelling
During an allergic reaction, certain chemicals called antibodies are released to fight off the invading allergen. When these antibodies enter your blood stream, other cells in the body respond by creating histamine, a chemical that protects against infection. Histamine is created in soft tissues, such as your neck glands. This chemical causes your blood vessels to dilate, resulting in swelling, irritation and inflammation. Swollen neck glands need to be evaluated by your doctor to ensure your throat is not swelling.
Elimination Diet
To determine which foods are triggering the swelling in your neck glands, your doctor may recommend an elimination diet. An elimination diet challenges your body to determine which foods are triggering your symptoms. The University of Wisconsin states that an elimination diet is not intended to diagnose a medical condition, but rather help highlight potential problem foods. Remove the foods for two weeks that you and your doctor decided may be triggering your symptoms. At the completion of the two weeks, introduce each food one at a time back into your diet. Keep a written log of what you foods you consume and how they affect your neck glands.
Consideration
Neck swelling may be a sign of a severe allergic reaction. If you develop hives, facial swelling, lip swelling, lightheadedness, a drop in blood pressure, an increase in your heart rate and mental confusion, call 911. These are signs of a severe allergic reaction that could lead to shock and death if not treated.
