Symptoms of a food allergy

» Difficulty breathing
» Itchy skin rashes
» Hives
» Coughing
» Nausea
» Vomiting
» Diarrhea
» Stomach pain
» Most common food allergies
» Peanuts
» Eggs, especially egg whites
» Milk
» Wheat
» Fish and shellfish
» Tree nuts (Walnuts, etc)
» Fruits (Strawberries, Tomatoes, etc)

A child is more likely to have an allergy to a specific food if one of his parents has the same allergy. Many kids outgrow their allergies, but severe allergies to peanuts or shrimp can last a lifetime.

There is no specific treatment for food allergies other than avoiding those foods that cause a reaction. If you have a food allergy that causes anaphylaxis, you may need to carry an epinephrine syringe.

The epinephrine is a medicine that counteracts the allergic reaction by relaxing the muscles in the airways and tightening the blood vessels. You will need to plan ahead as to whether you will inject yourself or if someone else will be responsible.

Food Allergies

Food allergy or food intolerance affects almost everyone at some point. Food allergy is caused by immunological reactions to foods, while food intolerance does not involve the immune system.

Most food allergies

Happen within a few minutes to a few hours after ingestion. The reaction can be mild or severe. In a very severe case, a food allergy can cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is when there is a very sudden and severe reaction that involves several symptoms such as breathing difficulty, itching, swelling in the mouth and throat, a decrease in blood pressure, and possibly death.


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