After getting hives I had a blood test, suspecting peanuts might be the culprit, and discovered I was indeed having a reaction to peanuts, after 50 years of safely eating them. Cut them out, still had hives, cut a few more things out and the hives stopped.
Had additional blood tests and so far am showing abnormal IgE results for a slew of other foods [screenshot attached], most of which I've been eating without issues that I'm aware of. The numbers aren’t high. I have yet to talk to a specialist about this (am on a NHS waiting list). My GP's advice has been to avoid foods that have been flagged.
The only other definite reaction I’ve had, besides hives, is what I’d call discomfort in my throat (no trouble actually breathing, but indeed some constriction) after eating or even being around ripe bananas. It's interesting to me that that had the lowest abnormal reading, though I have read that the numbers don't indicate how severe a reaction might be.
I do seem to have trouble digesting food in general - have done for many years - though am not in great distress; am now of course wondering how much of that is due to allergies or intolerances.
I guess what I’m wondering is, if I’m not having a definite reaction to a food, such as hives or the throat thing, but show abnormal results, if I still need to avoid it. Question of course properly addressed to a doctor, but given this list, as I said, it’s going to be tough until I get to talk to one. May have to bite the bullet and go private I guess.
Has anybody else here presented with multiple food allergies at middle age? My history is that I had allergies as a kid (nothing food related) which seemed to go away.