When should you stop eating something?

[MissCommando]

I really like Chicken Tikka Masala but sometimes (depending on which takeaway it's from), the spice in it can make my gums really burn and my tongue! I must be really sensitive to certain spices.

A few years ago, I ate some popcorn chicken from KFC and it took my breath away, I really thought I was going to die. Therefore, I won't touch KFC with a barge pole. I think it was the black pepper in that. My mum is the same as me, with certain spices.

Is it worth paying for an allergy test? Is it something that I am/could become allergic to?

[MarkRae]

Yes, absolutely!

[thenry]

When the outcome of you eating it is that you post this to AB !

[MissCommando]

lol thenry, thanks.

[MissCommando]

Well you never know, someone may share a similar problem!

[EcclesCake]

Given the prevalence of black pepper in processed food I would think it unlikely that is the cause.

You may have an intolerance to an ingredient, be it colouring or flavouring in processed food. Before going down the generally inconclusive allergy tests I'd keep a food diary to see when it occurs and then try an exclusion diet.

[237SJ]

No, it`s not worth paying for an allergy test. You just don`t like hot spices. That`s normal. You have an intolerance to them.
If you have an allergy you will suffer an anaphylactic reaction which is something completely different. You will get swelling and tingling in the face, mouth and tongue with possible breathing difficulties. That can be life threatening.

[thenry]

If you were seriously worried you'd go to your GP !

[MissCommando]

I'm not seriously worried but it's something that I should probably mention to my GP. I need to see my GP about other problems but as they are not urgent, I don't want to feel like I am wasting their time.

[237SJ]

As an afterthought - when you said that the KFC took your breath away what do you mean exactly? Did you struggle to breath (literallly)?

[MissCommando]

I couldn't breathe or talk at all for about half a min to a min, I guess. It was so scary! I don't know what it was in that popcorn chicken but I shudder when I see it advertised!

[237SJ]

Having just looked at the internet I think it has black pepper and chilli? You just can`t tolerate hot spices. That`s normal. I haven`t eaten KFC for 25 years but looking at the pictures, I really fancy that now. The hotter and spicier, the better. I wouldn`t bother getting tested if I was you. (that`s just my opinion though)

[MissCommando]

Thanks 237SJ for the answer. Yeah I guess I just have to be weary of certain foods. Lol I'm 25, I thought you were a similar age to me for some reason!

[237SJ]

Thanks for the compliment :-)

[cazzz1975]

I would definitely have an allergy test, It would be worrying to not know exactly what could cause quite a scary reaction. My son is allergic to black pepper, he comes out in large lumps, so its not such an isolated thing x