Potravinové alergie: co je to, jak se projevují a co s nimi

When you eat something and your body reacts like it’s under attack — swelling, hives, trouble breathing — you’re not just sensitive. You have a potravinová alergie, imunitní reakci na konkrétní bílkovinu v potravině, která může být životně ohrožující. Also known as alergie na jídlo, it’s not about feeling bloated after pasta — it’s about your immune system mistaking a harmless protein for a threat. This isn’t a mild dislike. It’s a biological alarm that can go off within minutes.

Many people confuse potravinová intolerance, problém s trávením, kdy tělo nemá potřebné enzymy, aby rozložilo určitou látku. Also known as nesnášenlivost, it causes discomfort — gas, cramps, diarrhea — but not an immune response. A zkřížená alergie, reakce na potraviny, které mají podobné bílkoviny jako pyl nebo prachové klíště. Also known as křížová alergie, it is a sneaky cousin: if you’re allergic to birch pollen, you might react to apples, carrots, or nuts. That’s not coincidence — it’s molecular similarity.

What triggers these reactions? Common culprits include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. But it’s not just about the food — it’s about your gut, your immune history, and even stress. You can develop a food allergy at any age. A child allergic to eggs might outgrow it. An adult might suddenly react to celery or sesame. There’s no pattern — only signs: itching in the mouth, swelling of lips or throat, vomiting, wheezing, or a sudden drop in blood pressure. If you’ve ever felt like your throat closed after eating something, you didn’t imagine it.

Testing for food allergies isn’t guesswork. Skin prick tests, blood tests for IgE antibodies, and supervised oral challenges are the tools doctors use. But you can start at home: keep a food diary. Write down everything you eat and how you feel. Did your lips tingle after eating almonds? Did your stomach churn after dairy? That’s data. And data beats myths. No, eliminating gluten won’t cure your pollen allergy. No, probiotics won’t magically erase your peanut allergy — but they might help your gut resilience, especially if you’ve been on antibiotics.

There’s no cure — yet. But there’s control. Strict avoidance is the gold standard. Reading labels isn’t optional — it’s survival. Carrying an epinephrine auto-injector isn’t dramatic — it’s responsible. And learning the difference between a mild reaction and anaphylaxis can save your life. You don’t need to live in fear. You need to be informed.

Below, you’ll find clear, practical guides on how to spot food allergies, how they connect to pollen allergies, what to eat instead, and how to stay safe without giving up joy in eating. No fluff. No hype. Just what works.