People who are already faced with restricted diets and limitations on food items that are safe to eat—that is even without the COVID-19 pandemic that stirs people to panic-buy and potentially emptying out the shelves of grocery staples.
For allergy sufferers who are accustomed to navigating tricky food situations, reading food labels, and bringing their own food to parties, the COVID-19 crisis has been particularly more challenging.
It is such cases that make it more essential to educate ourselves about food allergies! What many don’t know is that not all adverse reactions to food are caused by allergies. As a women’s health clinic that offers food and skin allergy treatments in Singapore, we will explain further.
Physical reactions to certain types of food are common, but more often, they are caused by a food intolerance rather than a food allergy. But, the two are easily confused because they have some shared signs and symptoms such as the following:
So, what are the differences?
When food irritates your stomach and/or fails to digest it properly, that is food intolerance and you may experience the following symptoms:
Lactose intolerance is a common condition that is often mistaken as a food allergy. It is the deficiency in an enzyme that helps break down lactose sugar, which is found in cow’s milk and other ruminant milk (sheep, goat, buffalo, etc.)
A food allergy, on the other hand, happens when your immune system mistakes certain food ingredients as harmful and triggers nasty reactions that can be severe or life-threatening.
Some of the typical food allergy symptoms include:
Allergic symptoms can appear anywhere from minutes to 2 hours after ingestion and common sources of food allergies can include peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, and cow’s milk.
The primary difference between the two is that while food intolerance is generally less serious and often limited to digestive issues, a food allergy can affect your whole body and can be fatal if left unattended.
A visit to our women’s health clinic in Singapore can help you distinguish an allergic reaction from food intolerance and determine what to do if one occurs.
Diagnosis of a food allergy is made based on your history and tests which may include a skin prick test and/or a blood test. You can help with the diagnosis by keeping a mental note of the foods you eat and the symptoms you have had with each.
Once your allergies are determined, you will have to avoid the food that triggers the symptoms, as repeated exposure can escalate minor reactions into major ones.
If you feel you have a food allergy, you can speak with our lady doctors at our clinics about your symptoms. We would be able to give you a better understanding of how you can handle and control your condition.
Stay home, stay safe. During this global pandemic, your health is our priority.
We offer teleconsultation services for your medical and skin concerns. We can also arrange medication and skincare product delivery to your doorstep.
541 Orchard Rd, #11-01/04 Liat Towers, Singapore 238881
6836 8386
Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm
Saturday: 9am to 1pm.
Sun/Public holiday: Close
541 Orchard Road #10-02, Liat Towers Singapore 238881
6734 5260
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday: 9am to 1pm.
Sun/Public holiday: Close
541 Orchard Road #10-01A, Liat Towers Singapore 238881
6262 3660
Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm
Saturday: 9am to 1pm.
Sun/Public holiday: Close
524A, Greenridge Shopping Centre, #02-01, Jelapang Road, Singapore 671524
6892 6681
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 8am to 4pm, 6pm to 9pm
Wednesday & Friday: 8am to 4pm
Saturday: 8.30am to 1 pm
Sun/Public holiday: Close
524A, Greenridge Shopping Centre, #02-02, Jelapang Road, Singapore 671524
6892 0789
Monday to Thursday: 9am to 5pm, 6pm to 9pm
Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday: 9am to 1pm
Sun/Public holiday: Close
105A Bidadari Park Drive
#01-09 Singapore 341105
6970 7933
Monday to Friday: 8.30am-4pm
Saturday: 8.30am-1pm
Sun/Public holiday: Close
105A Bidadari Park Drive #01-08 Singapore 341105
6908 1033
Monday to Friday: 10am to 8pm
Saturday: 9am to 6pm
Sun/Public holiday: Close
Healthsprings was established in 2000 with its first medical clinic located at Bukit Panjang. In 2001, the company ventured into the medical aesthetic field and has been offering Lasers, Peels, Fillers, Botulinum Injections and other aesthetic services. In 2008, Healthsprings Laser and Aesthetic is opened in Orchard Road and has been known to specialise in different aesthetic procedures for the skin, face, body, and hair.
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