Any food can cause an allergic reaction. However, eight foods account for 90 percent of serious allergic reactions:
• Egg
• Fish
• Milk
• Peanut
• Shellfish (shrimp, crayfish, lobster, crab, clam, scallop, mussels)
• Soy
• Tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, etc.)
• Wheat
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In infants and young children, common food allergens include:
Cow’s milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soybeans, and wheat.
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In adults, common food allergens include:
Shellfish (both crustaceans and mollusks), peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and fruits and vegetables. (Fruits and vegetables frequently cause oral allergy syndrome.)
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If you are allergic to a particular food, you may experience any of the following symptoms:
• Itchy mouth
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat
• Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain
• Hives (welts), itchy rashes
• Persistent eczema
• Tightening of the throat, trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing
• Sneezing, hoarseness, nasal congestion
• Drop in blood pressure, fainting, weak pulse
• Anaphylaxis.
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Managing your allergies
Adults with food allergies often find themselves in situations that make managing food allergies difficult. This may include dinner meetings, travel, and even work environments. For adults who have recently developed an allergy, learning to navigate and adapt to this change in lifestyle can prove difficult, frustrating, and even stressful at times.
Adults commonly state they are good about “avoiding” their allergen. However, this is not adequate in managing food allergies. Due to the high-risk situations adults often find themselves placed in, it’s extremely important to continue treatment with a certified allergist, keep prescribed medications close at hand at all times in case of unintended exposure to allergens, and always read food labels.
