Beef allergy is caused by certain proteins present in beef. Beef allergies can be serious, resulting in hives, breathlessness, dizziness, and abdominal pain etc. People with dairy allergy are at high risk of beef allergy. This is because milk and beef have common proteins, which can trigger an allergic reaction.
Most proteins which cause beef allergy are destroyed by heating or cooking. So, well-cooked beef has less chances of causing an allergy. However, some proteins are not destroyed and can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of Beef Allergy:
- Hives
- Rashes
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tightness in throat
- Breathlessness
- Dizziness
Beef can trigger severe allergic reaction, often putting the patient at risk of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, accompanied by breathlessness, dizziness, low blood pressure and it can be fatal. In case of such symptoms, epinephrine should be administered immediately to manage the complications due to the reaction. The patient should be taken to the emergency room of a hospital immediately.
If you suspect that you have beef allergy, do consult your doctor or an allergist to get yourself tested. Blood test (RAST) and skin prick test are the two tests which are conducted to test for allergy.
Preventing Beef Allergy:
If you have beef allergy, complete avoidance of beef in all forms is recommended. While eating out, you can inquire about the ingredients and choose the dishes which do not contain beef. While cooking at home, be careful about cross-contamination which can result in an allergy. Moreover, it is very important to carry a self-injectable epinephrine all the time.
If you experience any of the allergy symptoms after eating beef, do consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Incidence of Beef Allergy in Children
Beef allergy and generally meat allergy is found in three to six percent of all children. But, in children with milk allergies, the prevalence can be even up to 20 percent. The reaction is mostly mild, but certain studies revealed that the risk of an anaphylactic reaction can be as much as nine percent.
