Diet and our daily activities and lifestyle have an important bearing on the symptoms and control of allergy. The conservative management of allergy includes changes in the diet and lifestyle of the individual.
Changes in the Diet
A low-allergen diet, also known as an elimination diets is often recommended to people with suspected allergy, especially food allergy. It is also used as a diagnostic tool to find out if avoiding foods that commonly trigger allergies will provide relief from symptoms. In this diet, certain foods and food additives should be avoided such as wheat, milk, eggs, corn, soy, citrus fruits, nuts, peanuts, tomatoes, food preservatives and colouring agents, coffee and chocolate.
This diet is maintained only until a reaction to a food substance has been diagnosed or ruled out. Once food reactions have been identified, only those foods that are causing a reaction are subsequently avoided and other foods that had previously been eaten are added to the diet. It is recommended that this low-allergen diet is followed for two weeks in order to diagnose food reactions. Strict avoidance of allergenic foods for months or years sometimes results in cessation of food allergy in some cases.
Other dietary measures to be followed are given below:-
Since many individuals are allergic to proteins, a low protein diet is advised.
- Vegetarian diet should be preferred for easy digestion. Spicy and high calorie foods should be avoided.
- Eat lots of fresh green leafy vegetables.
- Freshly cooked food should be eaten.
- Fast foods, aerated drinks and alcoholic beverages should be avoided.
- Fruits and vegetables should be washed properly.
- Hands should be thoroughly washed before cooking or eating food.
- Food should be taken at proper timings – three regular meals in a day.
- Eating outside food in hot and humid weather should be avoided since during this period, several gastrointestinal viruses are rampant and may aggravate allergy.
Changes in Lifestyle
People with dust allergy are advised to reduce exposure to common household allergens like dust, mould and animal dander. Certain changes, as given below, can bring about long-lasting and positive results in individuals with allergy:-
- Minimise or give up completely usage of tea, coffee, tobacco and alcohol.
- Housewives should switch on their exhaust fans or use indoor chimneys while cooking food, especially while deep frying.
- Proper personal and household hygiene should be maintained to avoid exposure to rodents, cockroaches, insects, rats and household pests.
- Regular cleaning and vacuuming of rugs, carpets, curtains, furnitures, mattresses, etc., to remove dust mites is essential.
- Pets should be bathed and cleaned regularly and vacuuming of their kennels and rooms done.
- People with dust allergy should avoid travelling or be protected against dust-allergens on windy or rainy days.
- Avoid travelling or strolling on rainy days in parks and areas of thick vegetation to prevent insect stings and subsequent allergy.
- Certain individuals have increased work-related risks for sensitivity and exposure to latex (rubber industries), laboratory animals, biochemicals products, organic solvents, etc.
Exercise and Allergy
Though exercise is known to aggravate Bronchial Asthma in many individuals, its benefits often outweigh the adverse effects on the body. The beneficial effects brought about due to regular physical exercise are as follows:-
- Regular jogging and aerobic exercises release the muscular tension in the body, which helps in the relaxation of all muscles.
- The muscular relaxation in turn leads to mental relaxation because the body and mind are closely interlinked.
- Regular exercise also burns the calories, reduces body weight, strengthens the heart and lungs, increases stamina and body resistance towards diseases.
- Physical exercise tones up the gastrointestinal organs, increases digestion and absorption of food and speedy evacuation of bowels.
- In conclusion, exercise is best for all individuals with allergy, but it should be avoided on rainy or humid days and when pollen and airborne allergens are rampant, and also in extremely cold weather conditions.
Disclaimer: All information, data and material has been sourced from multiple authors and is for general information and educational purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor.
The views and nutritional advice expressed are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
