Food Allergies
What are food allergies?
A food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system reacts unusually to a specific food.
What causes food allergies?
Food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger signs and symptoms such as digestive problems, hives or swollen airways. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
It's easy to confuse a food allergy with a much more common reaction known as food intolerance. While bothersome, food intolerance is a less serious condition that does not involve the immune system.
Every 3 minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room.
Food allergy is a serious and potentially life-threatening medical condition affecting 33 million Americans. One in every 13 children has a food allergy—that’s about 2 in every U.S. classroom. And every 3 minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room.
What are the types of food allergies?
More than 170 foods are known to cause food allergies. The following are common food allergies we treat:
- Milk
- Soy
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Tree nuts (including almonds, walnuts, pecans, and cashews)
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Peanuts
- Alpha-gal (tick bite, meat allergy)
What are the common food allergy symptoms?
An allergic reaction to food can have many different symptoms, and a single person can experience different symptoms from one reaction to the next.
Many reactions start with skin symptoms, like hives or a rash, but some do not. More serious symptoms like a drop in blood pressure and trouble breathing can be life-threatening.
Symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours after the person has eaten the food to which a person is allergic.
- A tingling sensation in the mouth
- Swelling of the tongue and the throat or difficulty breathing
- Hives
- Vomiting, Abdominal cramps, Diarrhea
- Drop in blood pressure, Loss of consciousness, Death
How are food allergies diagnosed?
Your doctor will consider a number of factors before making a diagnosis including symptoms, family history, and a physical examination. Additionally, your doctor may suggest the following tests:
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Physical Examination
A careful exam can often identify or exclude other medical problems.
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Skin Test
A skin prick test can determine your reaction to a particular food. In this test, a small amount of the suspected food is placed on the skin of your forearm or back.
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Blood Test
A blood test can measure your immune system's response to particular foods by measuring the allergy-related antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE).
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Elimination Diet
You may be asked to eliminate suspect foods for a week or two and then add the food items back into your diet one at a time.
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Oral Food Challenge
During this test, done in the doctor's office, you'll be given small but increasing amounts of the food suspected of causing your symptoms.
How are food allergies treated?
- Allergen avoidance: Your doctor will help you take steps to identify and avoid your allergy triggers. This is generally the most important step in preventing allergic reactions and reducing symptoms.
- Medications: Depending on your allergy, medications can help reduce your immune system reaction and ease symptoms. Your doctor might suggest over-the-counter or prescription medication in the form of pills or liquid, nasal sprays, or eyedrops.
- Emergency epinephrine: If you have a severe allergy, you might need to carry an emergency epinephrine shot at all times. Given for severe allergic reactions, an epinephrine shot (Auvi-Q, EpiPen, others) can reduce symptoms until you get emergency treatment.
Make an Appointment
Schedule your appointment with our board certified physicians and professional team of allergy specialists today.