Food Allergies

Food allergies are estimated to affect 4% of children and adults and can appear at any age.

Overview

Food allergies are estimated to affect 4% of children and adults. Food allergies are most common in children, but can appear at any age. Many people can develop an allergy to foods that they have previously tolerated. The most common food allergens include milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame.

Symptoms

Symptoms of food allergy can range from mild to severe. Food allergy can affect many different organ systems. Most food-related reactions happen within a few hours of eating the food, often starting within a few minutes after eating.

Common symptoms can include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • hives
  • swelling
  • shortness of breath
  • wheezing
  • cough
  • trouble swallowing
  • dizziness
  • anaphylaxis (a potentially life threatening allergic reaction)

Testing

Our team may order confirmatory skin tests and/or blood tests to identify an allergic antibody (IgE) to a specific food protein. A positive result does not necessarily indicate that there is a food allergy, but a negative result is useful in ruling out a food allergy.

Treatment

Overview

Food allergies are estimated to affect 4% of children and adults. Food allergies are most common in children, but can appear at any age. Many people can develop an allergy to foods that they have previously tolerated. The most common food allergens include milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame.

Symptoms

Symptoms of food allergy can range from mild to severe. Food allergy can affect many different organ systems. Most food-related reactions happen within a few hours of eating the food, often starting within a few minutes after eating.

Common symptoms can include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • hives
  • swelling
  • shortness of breath
  • wheezing
  • cough
  • trouble swallowing
  • dizziness
  • anaphylaxis (a potentially life threatening allergic reaction)

Testing

Our team may order confirmatory skin tests and/or blood tests to identify an allergic antibody (IgE) to a specific food protein. A positive result does not necessarily indicate that there is a food allergy, but a negative result is useful in ruling out a food allergy.

Overview

Food allergies are estimated to affect 4% of children and adults. Food allergies are most common in children, but can appear at any age. Many people can develop an allergy to foods that they have previously tolerated. The most common food allergens include milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame.