Common Food Allergy Triggers
Common Food Allergy Triggers
Dip into hot salsa or spicy Indian food, and your nose starts running. Beans give you gas, or a glass of wine means a headache later. If you're lactose intolerant, you expect diarrhea when you eat cheese or milk.
Most people have reactions to foods like these from time to time. But they're usually food sensitivities or intolerances. They aren't caused by your immune system.
A food allergy is different. Your body mistakes harmless food as something that could make you sick. When you eat something you're allergic to, your immune system responds to protect you. You might get a mild skin rash or itchy eyes, or you could have a bigger reaction that leaves you gasping for breath.
Food allergies can be serious, but you can take steps to manage them. One of the best things you can do is avoid your trigger foods.
Eight things cause about 90% of food allergy reactions:
Almost any food can trigger an allergy, though. Less common ones include:
An allergic reaction can happen within minutes of eating, or it may happen hours later.
Mild symptoms can be hard to tie to specific foods. You could get:
Most often, peanuts, nuts, fish, and shellfish cause severe reactions, although any food can. Symptoms include:
Because young children may not know how to describe what's happening, they might say something like, "My mouth is tingling," "My tongue feels heavy," or "I've got a frog in my throat." A hoarse or squeaky voice or slurring words are also signs of an allergic reaction in kids.
Most people have reactions to foods like these from time to time. But they're usually food sensitivities or intolerances. They aren't caused by your immune system.
A food allergy is different. Your body mistakes harmless food as something that could make you sick. When you eat something you're allergic to, your immune system responds to protect you. You might get a mild skin rash or itchy eyes, or you could have a bigger reaction that leaves you gasping for breath.
Food allergies can be serious, but you can take steps to manage them. One of the best things you can do is avoid your trigger foods.
Foods That Cause Allergies
Eight things cause about 90% of food allergy reactions:
- Milk (mostly in children)
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts, like walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, brazil nuts, and pecans
- Soy
- Wheat and other grains with gluten, including barley, rye, and oats
- Fish (mostly in adults)
- Shellfish (mostly in adults)
Almost any food can trigger an allergy, though. Less common ones include:
- Corn
- Gelatin
- Meat -- beef, chicken, mutton, and pork
- Seeds, often sesame, sunflower, and poppy
- Spices, such as caraway, coriander, garlic, and mustard
Food Allergy Symptoms
An allergic reaction can happen within minutes of eating, or it may happen hours later.
Mild symptoms can be hard to tie to specific foods. You could get:
- Red, swollen, dry, or itchy skinrash (hives or eczema)
- Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, or a slight, dry cough
- Itchy, watery, red eyes
- Itchy mouth or inside your ear
- Funny taste in your mouth
- Upset stomach, cramps, throwing up, or diarrhea
Most often, peanuts, nuts, fish, and shellfish cause severe reactions, although any food can. Symptoms include:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Swollen lips, tongue, or throat
- Feeling weak, confused, or light-headed, or passing out
- Chest pain or a weak, uneven heartbeat
Because young children may not know how to describe what's happening, they might say something like, "My mouth is tingling," "My tongue feels heavy," or "I've got a frog in my throat." A hoarse or squeaky voice or slurring words are also signs of an allergic reaction in kids.
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