Did You Know...

That over 160 food allergens have been identified but only a small number account for most allergic reactions involving food? The most common allergens in infants include cow's milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, soybean and wheat while adults are most often allergic to fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts.

That most fatal allergic reactions occur when the allergic person is eating away from home and unknowingly ingests the offending food, then fails to recognize the reaction quickly? Although anaphylactic reactions are rare, they require immediate medical attention, usually an injection with epinephrine.

1. What are some of the most common symptoms of a food allergy?
Symptoms of food allergy vary among individuals however, the most common reactions are skin irritations such as eczema, hives, or rashes; gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea; difficulty in breathing; and a sudden drop in blood pressure. Symptoms generally occur within two minutes to two hours after an individual has ingested the allergen.

2. What are the common symptoms of a food intolerance?
A food intolerance is an adverse reaction to a food substance that involves metabolism. It does not involve the immune system like a food allergy does. One common type of food intolerance is lactose intolerance. An individual who is lactose intolerant does not produce an enzyme needed to digest milk sugar. Common symptoms of lactose intolerance include cramping, bloating, and diarrhea. Some individuals are sensitive to food additives such as monosodium glutamate or sulfites and develop headaches or other symptoms after ingesting them.

3. How are food allergies diagnosed?
A board-certified allergist can determine if an individual has a food allergy. A diagnosis may involve a thorough medical history, the evaluation of a detailed food diary, and several tests such as a skin prick test, a blood test, and food challenge tests.

4. What is the best treatment for a food allergy?
The only way to avoid a reaction to a food substance is to strictly avoid eating it. It is important to read food labels and thoroughly question how food is prepared when eating away from home.

5. Can foods trigger asthma?
The major triggers of asthma include upper respiratory infections, environmental irritants, allergens from dust, mold and animals, and weather changes. However, food allergies can trigger asthma in a small number of people (about six to eight percent of asthmatic children and less than two percent of asthmatic adults).