An allergic reaction to food, often called food allergies, can cause mild to serious symptoms such as:
Some mild symptoms may be caused by a food sensitivity rather than an allergic reaction. An allergist can help determine if it is a true allergic reaction via skin and/or blood testing.
Shellfish, fish, peanuts and tree nuts are the most common food allergens in adults. Milk, eggs, soy, wheat, shellfish, fish, peanuts and tree nuts are the most common food allergens in children.
The best defense against food allergies is to avoid foods that cause a reaction and to be ready to treat symptoms should they unfortunately ensue.
Some patients may also have a condition known as eosinophilic esophagitis where symptoms of difficulty swallowing and heartburn may be a result of allergic inflammation. An allergist can help find foods that aggravate this condition and prescribe a management plan to treat it.
This information has been provided by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
