What Are Food Allergies?

A food allergy is a serious and potentially threatening medical condition. A food allergic reaction occurs when your body overreacts to the proteins in a food.

Your immune system begins fighting the allergen and releasing chemicals called immunoglobulin E or IgE antibodies. This is what causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction. One of the chemicals released by IgE antibodies is histamine.

An allergic reaction can be triggered by practically any food, but the top 9 most common food allergies are:

  • Milk

  • Eggs

  • Wheat

  • Soy

  • Peanuts

  • Tree nuts

  • Fish

  • Shellfish

  • Sesame

 

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary from mild to severe. They often impact the the skin, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, and respiratory tract. Allergic reactions can be unpredictable in terms of their severity. An allergic reaction that was mild in the past could be severe on another occasion.

The most severe form of an allergic reaction is anaphylaxis (an-a-fi-LAK-sis). Anaphylaxis is a life threatening allergic reaction. The overrelease of chemicals from your immune system reacting to the allergen can cause the body to go into shock. During anaphylaxis, multiple areas of the body experience symptoms at the same time.

Common symptoms of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis include:

  • Sneezing or itchy eyes

  • Tingling or itching of the mouth

  • Hives

  • Swelling of the tongue, mouth, face, or other areas

  • Difficult swallowing or speaking

  • Wheezing or shortness of breath

  • Feeling dizzy, faint, or lightheaded

  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

  • Weak pulse, pale skin

Who are impacted by food allergies?

Food allergies effect both children and adults. It can effect anybody at anytime in their life. Some children outgrow their allergies while some adults develop them later in their life. Family history, asthma, eczema, and hay fever can lead to a greater risk of food allergies.

32 million Americans have food allergies.

5.6 million children in the U.S. have food allergies.

51% of adults who have food allergies have experienced a severe reaction, and 42% of children with allergies have had a severe reaction.