Oil allergy?

[hapticvision]

Hi everyone :). I’ve been a lurker here for a while but have a question that has forced me out of the shadows.

I’ve been about 75% raw for over a year, giving into cooked cravings often throughout the year (mostly because of an ongoing battle with bulimia). Last week I began eating 95% raw (the exception being dried herbs and fruit/herbal teas) and have been feeling amazing since. I’ve mostly been eating low fat raw – not consciously, I just prefer fruits and greens – but this evening I had a heavy meal of nuts and sundried tomatoes with a very oily dressing. Within an hour I was struggling to breath and my heart was racing. This has died down now but my face has broken out in a rash with patches of eczema and is very swollen (especially around my eyes). I also have a splitting headache and my whole body is shaking. I’ve eaten small amounts of nuts in the past and had mild headaches because of it, but very rarely have oil. Could I be allergic to it?

Because I usually get headaches after eating nuts I’m inclined to think I have a slight allergy or intolerance to them too, but tonight’s reaction is far worse than I’ve ever experienced. The only thing I can think that has caused it is the oil.

I suppose I just want confirmation that an oil allergy is possible(?). Either way I won’t be consuming it again. I don’t do very well on nuts/fats in general – should I just cut out overt fats completely?

Thank you in advance.

[sprouts2go]

Were your sundried tomatoes organic with no sulfites?
I had a face rash after eating grocery store sundried toms. I can not have the sulfites that they have on them.

[oceanluv]

my thoughts exactly. tomatoes can cause reactions, especially if they are not organic

[ShantiLove]

I would say it is the nuts, or a combination you ate. You say that you use to get a headace from nuts in the past and this time you ate a big portion. Also if you are not used to oily/fatty foods you body is heavely overwelmed.
I would go slowly with the fatty foods to begin with untill your body is used to more of it. And try to eliminate the nuts for a while to see if it helps.

[hapticvision]

Thank you for your replies! ShantiLove - I probably did overdo it on the fat when my body isn't used to it. I need to learn that if I get headaches with a small amount then having more of it probably isn't a good idea, haha!

Sprouts2go and oceanluv, the sulfite thing makes so much sense. I've had reactions to certain foods my whole life but couldn't pinpoint what the allergen was. I had to cut out dried fruits, eggs, and processed foods a while ago because of severe reaction to them; I had no idea it was because of sulfites in them until I googled it now so thank you so, so much for drawing my attention to it. At least I know what to avoid after all these years! And now I have another reason never to stray from raw veganism again!

Thank you! x

[gs4life]

i would also say it was the nuts...if you don't do well with them, you don't have to eat them. many people go without overt fats for extended periods of time. you can always eat an occasional avocado if you feel the need for it. you will do perfectly fine eating fresh fruits and leafy greens :)