Can Food Allergies Cause Fever?

It is a well-known fact that food allergies can cause asthma, digestive problems or skin rashes, but not everyone is aware of the fact that these can also cause health issues like fever, fatigue or sore muscles. Though conditions like fever or fatigue might not occur as a direct symptom of food allergy these can be symptoms of conditions that can be caused due to it. Like sinus headaches can occur when you have food that can cause fatigue. This fatigue is caused due to the sinus pressure. But did you ever wonder, “Can food allergies cause fever?”

What Causes Food Allergies?

Food allergies can be caused when the immune system shows an exaggerated reaction to some of the proteins that are found in some foods. When a food allergy occurs, the immune system of the body tries to defend itself and produces antibodies like immunoglobulin E. Human body treats these antibodies as a mistake and this in, turn causes a chain reaction. This chain reaction caused leads to various allergy symptoms. Some of the common foods that can cause food allergies are milk, soy, eggs, wheat, tree nuts and fish.

Some of The Most Common Symptoms of Allergy

Most of the times, the symptoms of a food allergy depends on the allergen. If you are allergic to a certain food or even dust, the body reacts with the so-called allergen and produces a chemical known as histamine. Let us now Understand Some of the Common Symptoms of Food Allergies.

• Running nose
• Itching in the eyes
• Headache or Pain due to sinus
• Constant sneezing
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Wheezing

Some of the food allergies can also show symptoms like nausea or diarrhea or some individuals might also experience skin rashes or slight swelling in the joints.

Can Food Allergies Cause Fever?

As per medical experts, an allergic reaction does not cause fever directly. Fever that occurs due to a food allergy can be caused due to a secondary infection like sinusitis. The sinus infection can also be caused due to a food allergy and this, in turn, can cause fever. But if you are not sure about the exact cause, do contact your doctor immediately. Food allergies and fever blisters can also occur due to an underlying medical condition.

When a person develops congestion, the mucus is built-up in the sinuses and this can act as a breeding ground for different kinds of bacteria. So, when you have an infection, you can suffer from fever too, that will at times last for a few days. Most of the times fever can be caused due to sinusitis or allergies, but at times it can be due to flu virus as well. If you are wondering if food allergies cause fever in babies, yes it can. Babies and younger children can also experience food allergies and some of the symptoms include rashes, diarrhea or vomiting. Most of the times, babies are allergic to milk.

There can also be food allergies that cause hay fever, which is also known as Allergic Rhinitis or Pollen Food Syndrome. This is the kind of allergy that is often caused due to seasonal allergens. Even some of the everyday foods can also trigger reactions that cause hay fever. Foods like cucumbers or watermelons do contain allergens that are quite similar to ragweed pollen. Such foods can cause hay fever in kids as well as adults in no time. So, it is good if you know what is causing the symptoms. If you find out that it is due to a food allergy, you need to take necessary medication so that things do not flare up.

Treatment For Fever When Getting Through Food Allergy

If you find symptoms of that of an allergy, it is advised you see your doctor immediately. The very first step you need to take before starting the treatment is to get it diagnosed. Most of the times, the doctor will ask you to consult an allergist, who performs a few allergy tests and also diagnose the reason for your allergic reaction. It is after this that you are given a treatment plan for the reduction or prevention of the existing symptoms.

The allergist will conduct a physical exam if necessary. If you have a medical history of allergies, you can let the doctor know as they might have some connection with the new symptoms you are witnessing. You might as well need to go in for a Skin Prick Test, where a very tiny allergen is inserted under the skin and the reaction of the skin reveals if you are allergic to that food or not. A blood test too is recommended sometimes.

If fever is not caused due to allergy, it can also occur due to seasonal changes or an infection. Once the actual cause of the symptoms and fever is known, the doctor would prescribe some over the counter medications. Medications known as antihistamines are often used to treat various kinds of allergies. These medicines lessen or even block the histamine production in the body that occurs due to the allergen.

If the fever is due to a bacterial infection, you might have to take antibiotics to treat the same. In severe cases of food allergy, the customer might have to take steroids as it helps to reduce the symptoms. If you suffer from allergies that occur seasonally, you can take an allergy shot annually. You can contact your doctor for more information on the same.

We have tried to answer the question “can food allergies cause fever” in detail. As most of the times fever have symptoms same as the common cold, it is always suggested you consult your doctor about the same. In many cases, the fever eases down in a few days and if not it is good to go in for a blood test. Live healthily and try and know as to what triggers your food allergy.