Allergies & Joint Pain

Allergies cause misery and keep some from enjoying pets, certain foods and the great outdoors. Except in extreme cases, most of the symptoms associated with allergies do not cause lasting harm. People suffering from food allergies may suffer from joint pain in addition to the usual allergy symptoms. Getting rid of the pain involves targeting the food causing the reaction and eliminating it from the diet.

Allergies

• Allergies happen when the immune system overreacts to an allergen. For most people, allergy symptoms are annoying but harmless. Typical allergy symptoms include runny or stuffy nose; itchy and/or watery eyes; sneezing; a headache or feeling of pressure between the eyes or on the forehead and dark circles under the eyes. In some people allergies lead to skin rashes and conditions, ear infections and sinusitis. In a few, allergic reactions can be dangerous or fatal, such as allergies to bee stings or nuts. Allergies can trigger asthma attacks. People with severe allergies may have to take allergy shots or engage in extreme avoidance behaviors such as staying indoors during the spring and fall.

Prevalence

• More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies caused by flowers, mold, grass and other nature related sources or from environmental pollutants. When seasonal and food allergies are combined, almost 25 percent of the United States population is impacted.

Allergies and Joint Pain

• Joint pain is not typically listed as an allergy symptom, especially those caused by seasonal or environmental factors. It has, however, been linked to food allergies. Food allergies may be investigated as the source of joint pain after other alternatives are eliminated. Other alternatives include arthritis, mononucleosis, and infections.

  Carolyn Dean, in "Ask Dr. Carolyn Dean" in a 1995 issue of Health News & Review, said "The arthritic symptoms are caused by antigens from foods and antibodies from the blood that join together in the blood and create antigen-antibody complexes which then can deposit in any area of the body." When these complexes are deposited in the joints they can cause pain similar to that of arthritis.

Targeting Foods

• The joint pain will continue until the food allergen is eliminated from the diet. If you are one of the unlucky ones who suffer from allergy related joint pain, you need to isolate the offending foods. Have allergy tests performed in a doctor's office, or attempt to identify the source at home. Start by eliminating the most common allergy-producing foods, such as diary, wheat and corn. Other foods that cause food allergies are eggs, yeast, moldy foods, sugar, cheeses, fruits, potatoes, tomatoes, green peppers, paprika and eggplant.

  Eliminate one food at a time. Wait several days before eliminating another food. Keep track of the foods eliminated and your body's reactions in the days following. If the pain stops after a food is eliminated, you've likely targeted your source. If you suspect a food is causing your symptoms, do not eat it for two months. Then retry the food to see if the joint pain returns.

Joint Pain Relief

• You can use the same medications and alternative treatments designed for arthritis to gain relief from joint pain caused by food allergies. Over-the -counter creams and rubs, anti-inflammatory medication and the application of heat can help relieve pain while you are isolating possible food suspects.