We Know: All About Food Allergies What are food allergies? Food allergies occur when you're sensitive to a specific food or type of food. These allergies typically result in a variety of stomach complaints immediately after eating the food and is most commonly found in children. Food allergy reactions can be mild, a runny nose for example, or they can be life threatening. What foods are people most commonly allergic to? People have allergic reactions to a variety of substances on the planet, but certain foods have been known to illicit allergic responses more often than others. They include: Peanuts Dairy products Eggs Shellfish Wheat What causes food allergies? Fewer than 1% of the population experiences true food allergies. People may have a bad reaction to certain foods, but this is usually a food intolerance, such as lactose intolerance. A true food allergy occurs when your body reacts to a certain food as though it were a toxin or bacteria. In essence, your body is trying to fight off the offensive food, causing stomach upset and possibly hives and other symptoms once the food is digested. What are common symptoms of food allergies? Swelling, itching and flushing of the skin Wheezing, inability to breathe. Dizziness. Stomach upset including pain, vomiting and diarrhea. How are food allergies treated? Food allergies are typically treated through elimination diets. These diets involve the removal of the suspect food from your diet and replacing it with something else. If the allergic reaction fails to continue, the problem food has been identified and you can go on about your life. For mild food allergies, you may be able to continue eating the food with antihistamine medication treatment. For severe cases, be sure to be prepared for an allergic reaction at all times, by wearing a bracelet that identifies your allergy, notifying your child's teachers or your own coworkers of your allergy and carrying an adrenaline syringe.
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