It was two years ago, on the first night of a dream holiday in Australia, that Karen (27) discovered she had a nut allergy.

The accountant from Falkirk said: "Nuts have always made my mouth itch, so I never used to eat them.

"As soon as I took a bite of the apple crumble I knew I had eaten nuts.

I thought I would just have an itchy throat so I drank some water and got on with the night."

It was not until Karen and her friends arrived at a concert an hour later that she started to feel unwell.

She told the Herald: "My eyes started to feel really itchy and I was finding it hard to breathe. I turned round to tell my friend and she gasped as my whole face had swollen up and I had come out in a rash."

Karen went into anaphylaxis shock, which is when the body starts to shut down. She was rushed to hospital, kept in overnight, and received oxygen and adrenaline to reduce the swelling and increase her blood pressure.

Around 45 per cent of the population suffer from some sort of food intolerance which has delayed symptoms and, while not life-threatening can make all aspects of life uncomfortable.

But Karen's condition, which is a food allergy, is less common. Only two per cent of Britons are living with this potentially fatal complaint.

This week is National Food Allergy and Intolerance Week and charity AllergyUK is looking to increase people's awareness of both food allergies and intolerances.

Allergies and intolerances to food can strike at any age, yet the symptoms of the conditions vary greatly.

An allergic reaction is caused when the body mistakenly makes an antibody to fight off a food it thinks is harmful. When the food is next eaten, or in extreme cases smelt or touched, it triggers an immune system response which results in the release of chemicals causing reactions varying from vomiting, swelling and itchy skin to anaphylaxis shock.

Food intolerance is also caused when the body tries to fight off a food but it can also come about when someone lacks an enzyme required to digest a certain food, or if a chemical that occurs naturally in the food upsets them. Symptoms tend to come on many hours after eating the offending item and diagnosis can often be difficult. Problems can include bloating, irritable bowel, eczema and migraines.

When Karen was released from hospital she was given an epipen, which contains adrenaline and is to be used should she have another shock.
She said: "For the rest of the holiday I was too scared to eat in case I ate nuts. I was going on to Fiji after Australia and was really worried about not being near a hospital.

''If I hadn't gone to hospital when I did my throat would have closed up and I would have died."

Karen also finds it hard to eat in certain restaurants. She said: "I can't eat Chinese food now as it is just too hard to make sure it is nut free. It can be difficult at times and I feel bad when my allergies dictate what restaurant I can go to with friends.

"The doctor also told me my allergy may get worse as time goes on."
Lindsey McManus, deputy information manager at AllergyUK, said: "People who suspect they have a food allergy should go to their GP and get referred for allergy testing. If you experience tingling lips, airways closing up or are short of breath you should go to hospital immediately.

"It is possible to get allergy testing on the NHS, however there is a shortage of allergy clinics in the UK."

For food intolerances the most effective form of diagnosis is the elimination and challenge diet, which should only be followed after consulting your GP.

Lindsey also suggests that when dining out those with an allergy or intolerance should call in advance to make sure the chef is aware of their condition and their dietry requirements.

Where to get help

As well as contacting their GP, food allergy and intolerance sufferers can also seek help from AllergyUK's volunteer support helpline. They are able to give practical tips and advice on 01322 619898.

AllergyUK also offers translation cards for sufferers travelling abroad. The waterproof cards contain an alert message, an emergency message and a message for use in restaurants, all in the language of the country being visited. On the reverse is the message in English.

Any product carrying the Allergy UK (British Allergy Foundation) mark can be regarded as having been tested or reviewed by leading experts in the field of allergy. Many supermarkets now also stock gluten, wheat, dairy and nut free range.

Visit www.allergyuk.org or www. foodintoleranceawareness.org for more information.

s.hart@falkirkherald.co.uk