Food Allergies

A food allergy is a reaction by the body’s immune system to a protein in a food. The food protein that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. When a person with a food allergy eats the food containing the allergen, a chain of chemical reactions can be triggered, causing inflammation and irritation in the skin, digestive and respiratory systems. Most allergic reactions occur within 30 minutes of consuming the problem food. Often, the reaction occurs within five to 10 minutes, but it can occur as long as four to six hours after ingestion. In extreme cases, the result can be anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition marked by faintness, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing and other severe symptoms requiring emergency medical treatment.

Physicians distinguish food allergies from other adverse food reactions, such as lactose intolerance. In the U.S., about 1 to 2.5 percent of adults and 6 to 8 percent of children have food allergies that can result in mild to severe consequences. Worldwide, 90 percent of food allergies stem from eight major allergens: peanuts, soybeans, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, crustacea (for example, shrimp) and wheat. The remaining 10 percent are food allergies that affect very few people, sometimes only one.

Peanut allergy is believed to be the leading cause of severe or life-threatening food-induced allergic reactions, causing an estimated 15,000 emergency room visits each year and nearly 100 deaths. Certain food allergies may be more likely to have long-lasting or lifelong effects, including peanuts, tree nuts and/or shellfish. Recent data indicates that up to one-fifth of persons allergic to these foods may actually lose their allergic sensitivities over time.

You may be able to prevent food allergies by changing your diet and not eating the foods that you suspect are causing your symptoms. Do not eat these foods for 2 weeks. Add the foods back to your diet, one item at a time, to determine which food is causing problems. This can be done at home unless severe allergic reactions have occurred in the past, such as difficulty breathing or wheezing, facial swelling, itching of the lips or mouth, or hives. If this is the case, eating suspect foods should be done only in a clinic or hospital setting under direct medical supervision.

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