Food allergies affect approximately 26 million adults in the U.S. and about 5 million children in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Food allergies can be difficult to diagnose. What are the signs and symptoms?
A food allergy causes an immune system response, triggering multiple organs to respond in the body. People may get hives on their skin, and in severe cases, have difficulty breathing, swelling in the throat, or anaphylactic shock which could require an epinephrine shot.
This is different from food intolerance, which is primarily digestive problems (e.g. bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation) after you eat. This can be due to enzymes which are lacking to break down food, irritable bowel disease, celiac disease, stress or even food additives.
Helpful tip to differentiate between a food allergy versus a food intolerance: Keep a food journal to keep track of what foods are triggers and the associated symptoms.
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts (walnut, almond, hazelnut, cashew, pistachio and Brazil nuts)
- Milk
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy
- Shellfish ( crab, lobster, shrimp)
- Finfish (tuna, halibut or salmon)
Learn to read food labels
- The Food and Drug Administration regulates certain types of foods which may have one of these major allergens in them. But people have to read the label closely. For example, someone who is highly allergic to milk should read labels to make sure there isn’t any lactose, ghee, butter or whey in their food. Sometimes these additives to manufactured food products can cause a severe reaction in people who have food allergies. It may not as well, but if you have a food allergy or have a child with a food allergy, it is really important to be extra cautious.
Tips for people with food allergies
Be aware of your surroundings
Read labels closely
If you are eating out, ask lots of questions
Carry an epinephrine pen at all times
Teach others what the signs of a food allergy are in case you are exposed to an allergen and cannot tell them
Learn CPR and first aid
Follow 9NEWS Medical Expert Dr. Comilla Sasson on Facebook and Twitter. Have a medical question or health topic idea? Email Dr. Comilla at comilla.sasson@9news.com
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