Food allergies
Have you ever suffered because of a strawberry, panicked over a peanut or rued the day you ate salmon risotto? Maybe you have a food allergy. If so. you are among the estimated 4% of adults 1) who do. Common foods that cause allergies in adults are milk, eggs, nuts, fish and shellfish.
I had no idea I was allergic to prawns until one day last summer, when I was on holiday in Spain. On my first night, I went to a charming little restaurant where I ordered the local specialty - seafood paella. The dish was delicious and, never having tried prawns 2) before , I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked them. Well, it wasn't until a 3) few hours later that I began to feel unwell. My nose started to run, my throat began to hurt and a tingling sensation developed on my tongue and lips. At first I thought I was coming 4) down with a cold, but once my stomach began to contract in terrible cramps. I realised that something 5) much more serious was afoot. By the time the doctor arrived, my tongue and lips had swollen to 6) such a degree that I was having difficulty breathing.
The doctor took one look at me and called an ambulance. I was rushed to hospital, where I remained for the next two days. It was a terrifying experience. Now I am extremely careful to 7) avoid anything with shellfish in it. I read all food labels religiously and, when dining out at restaurants, inform the waiting staff of my allergy. I also carry a special medicine with me at all times, in case of an emergency.