According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), millions of people in America have experienced a food allergy. Typically, these only produce mild reactions, but they can be life-threatening for some. While medications and treatments are available for food allergies, there is no cure for them.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) states that food allergies are most common in children but can appear at any age. Medically speaking, a food allergy is when your immune system overreacts to a specific food, triggering a response. Eight foods account for approximately 90% of reported allergic reactions: eggs, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, and sesame. Those who encounter a food allergen may experience various symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, hives, wheezing, swelling, and gastrointestinal issues. The reaction typically occurs within a few hours of encountering the food, but can only take a few minutes with severe allergies. Severe allergies can lead to constriction of the throat and shock, requiring emergency medical attention.
The Mayo Clinic notes that it's essential to avoid the food once an allergy has developed. This means checking labels because foods like soy can easily be slipped in. Seeing an allergist can help you narrow down food allergies. However, exposure therapies are available to help those with severe reactions to specific kinds of food. It's also helpful to expose children early to prevent specific food allergies from developing.
