This woman had allergies so severe she could only eat these four bizarre foods

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A UK woman suffered allergies so severe she could only eat four types of foods, in a case that has baffled doctors.

Amy Francis-Smith, 32, from the English city of Leicester, north of London, started suffering an allergic reaction to foods she would normally be OK to eat, and common smells, in 2015.

"I had malnutrition as I was only able to eat beef, pears, courgette (zucchini) and rice for at least six months," Francis-Smith said.

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"It ended up being a gamble every time I ate anything. It was very much a case of finding out what I could and couldn't eat.

"It was the start of a very terrifying few years."

The architect said she was allergic to carbonated water, public transport, air fresheners, and hot and cold extremes.

Her restricted diet meant she was "malnourished", with her "ribs sticking out".

She said because of her rare allergies, she felt unsupported by medical professionals.

"I was referred to allergy clinics, but I was being told that I wasn't allergic, and I was making it up," Francis-Smith said.

Amy Francis-Smith, 32, from Leicester, north of London, in England, started suffering an allergic reaction to foods she would normally be OK to eat, and common smells, in 2015. Credit: SWNS/Amy Francis-Smith

"Staff thought I might be poisoning myself on purpose or having a mental health crisis. But if I ate something, I'd end up in the hospital, so it was real."

She knew something was seriously wrong when she started reacting to lemons and peanuts. After eating a tomato, she went into anaphylactic shock.

It was the first of many attacks, and at her worst point she was experiencing them every day.

The then-student was forced to drop out of university in London, and move back in with her family.

"I was really heartbroken that I'd had my career cut short, and I couldn't earn any money," she said.

"I tried to go back to work, but it didn't last long at all."

In 2017, after two frustrating years, Francis-Smith was diagnosed with mast cell activation syndrome, which causes repeated severe allergy symptoms.

Amy Francis-Smith in hospital. Credit: SWNS/Amy Francis-Smith

Doctors also discovered she had Crohn's disease and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome — a group of hereditary disorders that impact the connective tissues of the body.

"When you finally get that diagnosis, it's weirdly a big relief that you weren't going insane," Francis-Smith said.

"Mast cells are all over your body — for whatever reason, mine had become activated. They release chemicals which causes the swelling, rashes and breathing issues. It meant that it affected every single organ.

"My liver wasn't working — my spleen, my bladder, was screwed. I had heart issues, my hair was falling out, my teeth were eroding quicker than they should have been. My feet and hands had neuropathy."

Francis-Smith has been able to overcome many of her severe allergies, thanks to stress reduction and a supportive partner, and family. Inflammation around her body has decreased, and she is able to eat a healthier diet.

"Through a lot of experimentation, trialling nutrition, stress reduction and reducing inflammation, I was eventually able to complete my architecture degree and have a bit of money coming in," Francis-Smith said.

"I'm gradually adding in more foods and gaining more strength. I've never been better. I don't think I've ever had this level of health in my life before."

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