Food intolerances and food poisoning are not from an
allergy.
What types of food can cause an allergic
reaction?
Almost any kind of food can cause an allergic reaction.
Milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, peanuts, and tree
nuts cause most reactions.
Some people are allergic to food additives, color additives,
sulfites, and the low-calorie sweetener aspartame.
Who can have a food allergy?
Anyone can have a food allergy.
People with asthma are at greater risk of having
life-threatening reactions to a food allergy. However, asthma does
not cause the allergic reaction.
Whether or not a person will have an allergic reaction can
depend on how much of the food they eat and how long it was
cooked.
Smelling or touching the food can cause allergic reactions in
sensitive people.
What are reactions to a food allergy?
People's reactions are different. Most reactions are mild.
Some people have life-threatening reactions.
Reactions begin minutes or a few hours after eating the
food.
The lips, mouth, and throat might swell and itch.
Reactions can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and
cramping.
Symptoms could also include itching, hives, redness of the
skin, sneezing, or a runny nose
Bad reactions can cause breathing difficulties and
unconsciousness.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition. Anaphylaxis
causes many different parts of the body to have food-allergic
reactions at the same time.
Are food allergies contagious?
No. Food allergies are not contagious.
How are food allergies treated?
Talk to the doctor or an allergist to diagnose your possible
allergy.
The doctor will need to know about your diet, your reactions,
and your medical history.
You may need to keep a food diary or have a physical
exam.
The doctor also can run different tests to see what causes the
allergic reaction in you.
Have a plan for what you'll do if you have a reaction.
Many reactions can be treated with a shot of epinephrine
(Epi-Pen).
Have the doctor teach you how to give yourself the shot.
Always carry it with you.
Bracelets and necklaces should be worn to alert medical
workers of your allergy.
How long does a food allergy last?
Food allergies may last a lifetime. Eat a balanced diet
despite your allergy.
After one or two years, some people can eat the food they were
allergic to without having a bad reaction.
How can food allergies be prevented?
Research disagrees on whether breastfeeding can prevent
allergies. Some studies show that infants may have food allergies
because of allergens in their mothers' breast milk.
You may not be able to prevent having a food allergy, but you
can avoid having an allergic reaction.
If you think you are allergic to a food, avoid eating that
food.
Always check food labels if you have a food allergy. Call food
companies if you need more information about ingredients.
Most food allergy deaths happen when someone accidentally eats
the food they are allergic to.
Deaths also occur when symptoms are denied and treatment is
not sought soon enough.
When should I call the doctor?
If you have a bad allergic reaction, give yourself an
epinephrine shot then GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.
Call the doctor if you think you have a food allergy.
Quick Answers
A food allergy is a bad reaction to a food that affects the
body's immune system.
Anyone can have a food allergy.
Milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, peanuts, and tree
nuts cause most reactions.
Reactions can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping,
swelling, sneezing, and difficulty breathing.
Check the ingredients on food labels if you have a food
allergy.
Call the doctor if you think you have a food allergy.
References
American Academy of Allergy and Immunology, International food
Information Council Foundation, "Understanding Food Allergy,"
Virtual Hospital, May 1993 URL:
http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/IntMed/Allergy/FoodAllergy.html
MedlinePlus. Allergies. 2001 May 16 (cited 2001 August
28).
NIAID. Diagnosing Allergic Diseases. (cited 2001 August
28).
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