- People with food allergies have an allergic reaction when they come in contact with certain foods. This happens because their immune system overreacts to the proteins in that food.
- Eight kinds of food cause most food allergies: Cow’s milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Wheat, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Tree nuts
- Signs of a food allergy include:
• A rash, or red, itchy skin
• Stuffy or itchy nose, sneezing, or itchy and teary eyes
• Vomiting, stomach cramps or diarrhea
• Angioedema or swelling
• Hoarseness, throat tightness or a lump in the throat
• Wheezing, chest tightness or trouble breathing - Some people with food allergies can have a serious reaction called anaphylaxis.
- It is common for people and even some healthcare providers to misdiagnose the difference between food allergy and food intolerance. Food allergy can result in a life-threatening allergic reaction. On the other hand, a misdiagnosis could mean that you are unnecessarily limiting what you eat.