Millions of Americans have food allergies. Many can’t even eat small amounts of the problem foods without serious symptoms.
Allergies to milk, eggs, peanuts, fish and wheat are most common. Many children outgrow their reactions to these foods, but others remain allergic throughout life. Reactions to the proteins in these foods can range from mild to severe.
1. Eggs
Eggs are one of the most common foods to trigger allergy symptoms in babies and young children. Reactions to egg may be mild to moderate, but can sometimes be severe (anaphylaxis).
Egg allergy is more common in kids with eczema and in those with other food allergies, such as cow’s milk or peanut allergy. Children with egg allergy tend to outgrow it by adulthood.
Symptoms can be triggered by eating eggs, using products that contain eggs or even touching raw eggs. Symptoms can range from itching and hives to a life-threatening reaction, called anaphylaxis. If an allergic reaction occurs, antihistamines or an epinephrine injection can help.
2. Milk
Milk allergies are most common in infants and young children, but people of any age can have a reaction. It’s caused by an out-of-whack immune system response to the proteins found in milk: casein and whey.
Symptoms can range from skin rashes, hives or difficulty breathing to abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Some people with severe milk allergies can go into anaphylactic shock. This is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention, including treatment with an auto-injector device containing epinephrine.
Avoiding milk isn’t easy, but your doctor may recommend keeping a food diary and undergoing allergy tests to confirm your symptoms are due to milk. These can include skin testing and an oral food challenge.
3. Peanuts
Peanut allergy is one of the most common IgE-mediated food allergies. It occurs when the body mistakenly identifies proteins found in peanuts as harmful invaders and reacts by overproducing antibodies that cause a variety of symptoms, including breathing problems (coughing and wheezing), skin reactions and digestive issues like bloating or abdominal pain.
Those with peanut allergy need to read ingredient labels carefully, as even non-threatening foods such as chili or vegetarian meat substitutes may contain peanuts. They also need to avoid fried foods and products that contain peanut oil (also referred to as arachis, expeller-pressed, gourmet, or cold-pressed).
If a peanut allergy is severe, it can lead to anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening whole-body response and requires emergency treatment with epinephrine, typically administered in an auto-injector.
4. Tree Nuts
Tree nuts can trigger allergy symptoms like hives, stomach discomfort, itching and difficulty breathing. They are also one of the most common allergens linked to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause respiratory failure and shock.
The FDA requires that any packaged food that contains tree nuts be clearly labeled. Those with tree nut allergies should carefully read ingredient labels and avoid all foods containing them.
A blood test can identify the specific type of nut you are allergic to. Some people are allergic to almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, Brazils, pine nuts and chestnuts, while others only react to coconut or nutmeg.
5. Soy
Soy is in the legume family and can trigger allergic reactions, just like beans, peanuts and peas. Soy allergies are common in infants and children, but can develop at any age.
Soy protein can be found in many different foods. It’s often used as an ingredient in baby formula, processed meats and hot dogs, canned soups, alternative nut butters and baked goods.
To confirm a soy allergy, your doctor may perform a skin test or blood test. A soy allergy causes your immune system to overreact to the proteins in soybeans. This causes your body to release histamines, which triggers allergic symptoms.
6. Wheat
A food allergy to wheat can trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening whole-body reaction that can lower blood pressure and narrow airways. Symptoms include itching, swelling, hives, a drop in blood pressure, and trouble breathing.
Wheat is one of 14 major allergens in the UK and must be listed clearly on ingredients labels, often highlighted or placed in bold. However, some foods may contain wheat even if it is not on the label. These include soups, sauces, processed meats and fish and ready-made meals. Also, some foods may be cross-contaminated with wheat during manufacture.
7. Fish
Fish is a protein-rich food, rich in iodine and omega-3 fatty acids. However, it is one of the foods that most often trigger allergies in people. Proteins from certain fish can bind to IgE antibodies made by the immune system, triggering a reaction. Allergy symptoms can range from tummy pain and nausea to rashes, and even anaphylaxis.
Allergens in fish can be hidden in many processed and packaged foods, such as Worcestershire sauce, Caesar salad dressing, caponata (Sicilian eggplant relish), taramasalata and nuoc cham (Vietnamese fish sauce). People with fish allergies should avoid all fish products and beware of cross-contamination during food preparation.
