FACT SHEET

 FOOD ALLERGIES

Food allergies affect approximately 2 percent to 2.5 percent of adults and 2 percent to 4 percent of children under the age of 6. Many parts of the body may be affected by food allergy, and the frequency and severity of symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. Among the symptoms of food allergy are vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, indigestion, diarrhea, hives, skin rash, headaches, asthma and respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing and runny nose. In rare cases, food allergies cause anaphylaxis – a severe, system-wide allergic reaction that is potentially fatal.

• Although food allergy occurs most often in infants and children, it can appear at any age and be caused by foods that have been eaten for years without problem.

• Almost any food can cause allergy, but the most common culprits are eggs, cow’s milk, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.

• An individual who is allergic to a certain food might also be allergic to related foods. For example, people allergic to peanuts often can’t tolerate other members of the legume family of foods such as peas and beans.

• In some cases, food allergy may develop through excessive exposure to a certain food. Scandinavians, for example, have a high incidence of fish allergy.

• Reaction to a particular food can be affected by an individual’s physical condition at the time. For example, susceptible individuals may be more likely to experience allergic reactions to food when they are suffering from colds, upset stomach, stress or allergies such as hay fever.

• Not all adverse reactions to food are due to allergy. Some reactions to milk, for example, are due to a deficiency of the lactose enzyme which breaks down the sugar in milk.

• In rare instances, food allergies can cause anaphylaxis, a rare, potentially fatal allergic reaction that affects many parts of the body at once. Individuals who experience severe symptoms such as swelling of the throat, tongue and nose; flushing; difficulty breathing; a sudden drop in blood pressure or loss of consciousness should seek emergency attention at once.

• Allergic reactions to food have been known to disappear for months or years. However, an individual who has a severe, immediate reaction to certain foods must NEVER taste them again. In some very sensitive persons a small taste of an allergenic food can provoke a life-threatening reaction.

For information about food allergies, call the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at 1-800-842-7777 to request a free brochure Advice from Your Allergist About Food Allergies or visit its Web site at www.acaai.org.