If you have been diagnosed with a food allergy you will likely have already realised that for some people there is no real cure for a food allergy.
Do not be discouraged, please read on for some more positive information.
If you are merely sensitive to a type of food or allergen you may find that you have a tolerance level such that you can eat small amounts of a food that makes you unwell without any negative impact or uncomfortable side effects.
Unfortunately for a serious food allergy where your response to the allergen is triggered by your immune system and you don't just suffer gastrointestinal, skin or respiratory symptoms, then total avoidance of the allergen is the only cure.
There are many products on the market and people trying to sell them who will claim to be able to cure your allergy - these are lies.
I am sorry but someone has to tell you.
It is true that some lucky individuals will grow out of their food allergies - this is particular true for most children under the age of 5 who have milk and egg allergies.
The incidence of people outgrowing their peanut allergy is less likely but it does happen.
You may have heard of desensitisation as a cure for food allergy.
This is where you gradually expose the sufferer to increasing amounts of the offending allergen.
In some cases this works and after a period of weeks or months the individual is able to tolerate the allergen without any serious side effects.
You should never attempt this method without strict medical supervision and advice as there is always the potential for the allergy to be made worse by repeated exposure with each reaction being greater than the previous one.
In the case of hayfever and pollen allergies desensitisation is having more successful results.
Young children who have an egg allergy can sometimes tolerate either the egg white or the egg yolk and some may even be able to cope with trace amounts in baking.
However, for others the only way to stay healthy and symptom free is to avoid the allergen altogether for life.
An interesting point to note is that many adults are developing allergies later in life having never had a problem before.
The most common allergen in this instance appears to be seafood.
If you have a dairy allergy or sensitivity there are many suitable substitutes on the market such as rice, soy and oat milks, some fortified with the vitamins and minerals you may lack if following a dairy free diet.
The daily use of probiotics has been suggested as a way for dairy allergy sufferers to be able to tolerate small amounts of dairy products in their diet.
This seems to vary between individuals and is a matter for you to try and experiment with on your own.
Again remember to seek advice from a nutritionist or health professional when embarking on a restricted or food elimination diet or trial.