Eating foods should not cause your skin to burn or you stomach to hurt. This unusual occurrence is most likely the result of a food allergy. Many digestive conditions can cause pain in the abdomen, but when other body systems such as your skin are affected by what you eat, it's a sign of an allergic reaction. Food allergies are more common in children under the age of 5, but they can affect anyone at any age. The Food Allergy Initiative states that almost 12 million Americans have food allergies.
Cause
Your immune system's function is to identify and rid the body of infectious organisms, commonly called germs. A food allergy is the result of your immune system targeting an otherwise harmless substance in certain foods. When your immune system reacts this way, it creates a specific antibody, called immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies, according to MayoClinic.com. When these antibodies enter the bloodstream, white blood cells respond by increasing the production of histamine. Histamine protects against infection but also causes swelling, irritation and inflammation in soft tissues.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain from a food allergy is the result of inflammation that occurs in the lining of the digestive tract. As histamine is released, the tissue that makes up your stomach and intestines becomes inflamed. The inflammation increases pressure throughout your gastrointestinal system. The pressure results in pain, diarrhea, cramping, vomiting, nausea and bloating. Abdominal pain from a food allergy has no cure aside from avoidance and waiting for the body to rid itself of the allergen.
Burning Skin
Burning skin can occur anywhere on your body as a result of skin irritation and inflammation. When histamine is produced in the skin, it causes your blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow. This can trigger a stinging, burning or itching sensation, along with a rash, bumps and swelling. Common rashes that may develop along with the burning include hives and eczema. These rashes form bumps on your skin that are extremely itchy. If you scratch them, you may break your skin, leaving it susceptible to secondary infections.
Identification
Keep a food diary. Write down everything you eat and drink for one week. Anytime you develop an adverse reaction to a food, document your symptoms. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor to determine which foods are most likely triggering your symptoms. Allergy tests can effectively identify the foods that trigger an allergic reaction.
