I'm testing myself for gluten sensitivity/allergy. I've always had symptoms that are similar to asthma. shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, scratchy closed throat.
I "think" it may be an underlying sensitivity to wheat/gluten, oats and/or eggs. I plan to avoid those for 6 weeks, then reintroduce them to see how I feel. It's extreme, but it means I'll know for once and for all if it makes a difference.
I've been off them for a week. I felt much better all week. I breath easier and my throat feels good.
Today, I slipped and had tea with chocolate biscuits. Within minutes I started coughing. Then I coughed up mucus. My throat feels smaller and scratchy since then.
My question is about the mucus. When it come up, could that be due to an allergic reaction, or is it a good thing. Is it that the caffeine is dislodging mucus that's already there? I'm confused by the idea of an allergy creating phlegm/mucus so quickly.
Is that possible, or does it mean the phlegm was already there?
*If I take an antihistamine tablet and feel better in 20 minutes, would that confirm presence of an allergic reaction? (In other words, if I took an antihistamine and experienced no change, it would mean it had no effect, and there isn't the presence of an allergy/sensitivity.)
I'm a complete novice in this area, so any insights would be appreciated.