8 Most Common Food Allergies

Food allergies have long been misunderstood by the medical community because the association between food and allergic reactions can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms such as hives, runny nose, and shortness of breath can be caused by the immune system's release of histamine and other chemical signals in response to certain proteins in food. Each person's immune response can vary in severity and timing. Food allergies are a growing problem that affects nearly 8% of children and 3% to 4% of adults. The eight foods mentioned below are the most common causes of food allergies in the country.

1. Fish

   Seafood allergies are usually a lifelong problem that can cause severe reactions in both adults and children. Scaly and bony fish make up a large portion of seafood allergies and food allergies in general. Cod, bass, haddock, sprat, herring, salmon, halibut, and trout make up just a handful of the fish known to cause allergic reactions in people. However, just because a person has a certain fish allergy doesn't mean they are allergic to all scaly fish or shellfish or any other seafood species for that matter.

2. Shellfish

   The other most common type of seafood allergy comes from shellfish, including crustaceans (lobsters, crabs, shrimp, prawns, crawfish) and mollusks (oysters, mussels, squid, Abalone). Shellfish allergies can appear at any age, but it is most commonly seen in adults and older children. The symptoms of an allergic reaction to shellfish vary from itching, hives, and tingling of the lips, tongue, and throat to more severe symptoms like breathing problems, swelling of the throat, abdominal pain, dizziness, and fainting. And just like fish allergies, it is often a lifelong problem.

3. Peanuts

   Peanut allergies are relatively common and are most often seen among children in developed countries. In fact, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, peanut and tree nut allergies are the leading cause of food allergy fatalities and near-fatal allergic reactions. It's estimated that about 1% of the general population suffers from peanut and tree nut allergies. Allergic reactions typically occur within minutes after eating, touching, or inhaling peanuts or foods that contain traces of peanuts or came into contact with them.

4. Tree nuts

   Tree nuts, including walnuts, almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts are common causes of food allergies for millions of people worldwide. Just like peanuts, tree nut allergies cause the most deaths and near-fatal allergic reactions than any other food allergy. Tree nuts allergies are usually a lifelong condition, and those who suffer from this particular allergy should avoid peanuts and other tree nuts because of the risk of cross-contamination at facilities.

5. Milk

   Milk allergies are most commonly seen in infants and young children, and while many outgrow their hypersensitivity to milk by age 3, it can be a lifelong problem. Cow's milk is the biggest culprit of milk allergies, but it is not uncommon to have allergic reactions to sheep, goat, and buffalo milk as well. Allergic reactions occur within minutes or hours after consuming milk, can range from mild symptoms like hives and wheezing to more severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and colic in babies.

6. Eggs

   Egg allergies are most commonly seen in children and are often outgrown before adolescence. However, the allergy can persist into adulthood. Egg allergy symptoms can be as mild as skin inflammation or hives and as severe as asthma, vomiting, and, rarely, anaphylaxis. Both egg yolks and egg whites contain allergy-inducing proteins, but egg whites are the most common cause of egg allergic reactions.

7. Wheat

   Wheat allergies are common, but sometimes difficult to diagnose because wheat is a common food and ingredient in other foods. Wheat allergies can be triggered by eating foods that contain wheat or inhaling wheat flour. Common wheat allergy symptoms include hives, eczema, allergic rhinitis, asthma, as well anaphylactic shock, which typically occur within minutes or a few hours after ingesting or inhaling wheat.

8. Soy

   Soy allergy is a common one that typically starts with an allergic reaction to a soy-based infant formula. In most cases, children will outgrow a soy allergy but not always. Soy allergies are often characterized by mild reactions, such as tingling in the mouth, hives, eczema, and digestive problems. Although rare, severe allergic reactions to soy can result in anaphylaxis, which causes constriction of airways, shock, dizziness, and other extreme symptoms.

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