8 Common Food Allergies

By Fiorella M. | Updated: Jun 18, 2020

Ladies

From the many possible causes of allergies, food allergic reaction is very common but there are some foods that trigger allergies more commonly than others. In fact, in the United States, eight foods are responsible for 90% of all allergic reactions related to food. Keep reading to find out more about these common food allergies.

8 Common Food Allergies
1

Peanuts

Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies, and for some people, coming into contact with peanuts can result in a severe and even fatal allergic reaction. With some people, it is only eating peanuts or peanut traces that causes a reaction, but with others, even just touching trace amounts of the product can be dangerous. Peanut allergies are often lifelong and will normally begin in childhood.

2

Tree Nuts

Many people who are allergic to peanuts are also allergic to tree nuts. A few examples of tree nuts are walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, and Brazil nuts. Although tree nut food allergies are usually lifelong, there are a minority of children that seem to grow out of them by the time they reach adulthood. 

3

Milk

In young children, an intolerance of cow's milk is the most common food allergy, and reactions can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. However, unlike with nuts, most children who are allergic to milk will grow out of it.

4

Eggs

Second to milk, eggs are one of the most common food allergies in children. Although the allergenic proteins are contained in the egg white, it is normally advised that people with an egg allergy avoid all the parts, as it is almost impossible to completely separate whites from their yolks.

5

Wheat

Most children will have outgrown their wheat allergy by adulthood, and can present a challenge for sufferers, owing to the fact that most grain products are made from this foodstuff. However, there are other options that are available, such as foods made from barley, corn, rye, or quinoa.

6

Soy

A soybean allergy is normally found in children, and reactions are usually quite mild. Soy is often found in processed foods, and so people who have reactions are advised to check ingredients carefully.

7

Fish

A fish allergy can often begin in adulthood, and many can have severe allergic reactions. In particular, the high-risk fish are salmon, tuna, and halibut. A strict avoidance of fish and fish products - including omega-3 fish oil - is normally advised.

8

Shellfish

These do not come from the same family as fish, so it does not always follow that a person with fish allergies necessarily is allergic to shellfish. The two kinds of shellfish are crustaceans and mollusks. Some people are only allergic to one of these groups. Reactions to shellfish can be quite severe, and some people must even avoid being in an area in which shellfish is being cooked, as the protein in the steam could trigger a reaction.

Food allergies can come in many different forms, and there is no predicting an allergy before the first reaction. The foods listed above are the most common food allergies, and they can result in fatal attacks if a sufferer is not careful to avoid their particular triggers. Learn about effective home remedies for allergies.

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