• Eight foods account for 90% of all food-allergic reactions. They are milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy.The symptoms may be mild (rashes, hives, itching, swelling, etc.) or severe (trouble breathing, wheezing, loss of consciousness, etc.). A food allergy can be potentially fatal. Scientists estimate that as many as 15 million Americans have a food allergy, including approximately 6 million children. 

    What are the common symptoms of a reaction?

    Symptoms may include one or more of the following: a tingling sensation in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and the throat, difficulty breathing, hives, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and even death. Symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours after the person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic.

    What is the best treatment for food allergy?

    Strict avoidance of the allergy-causing food is the only way to avoid a reaction. Reading ingredient labels for all foods is the key to avoiding a reaction. If a product doesn’t have a label, individuals with a food allergy should not eat that food. If you have any doubt whether a food is safe, call the manufacturer for more information.

    Is there a cure for food allergies?

    Currently, there are no medications that cure food allergies. Strict avoidance is the only way to prevent a reaction. Many people outgrow their food allergies, although peanut, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are often considered lifelong allergies. Research is being done in this area, and advances are being made

     
    For more informatin on Food Allergies please visit:  http://www.foodallergy.org/