Many parents mistakenly assume their child has a food allergy when their symptoms are actually caused by a completely different condition. Commercial allergy testing kits are available, but using them isn't recommended.
Many kits are based on unsound scientific principles. Even if they are reliable, you should have the results looked at by a health professional. Most children who have food allergies to milk, eggs, soya and wheat in early life will grow out of it by the time they start school. Food allergies that develop during adulthood, or persist into adulthood, are likely to be lifelong allergies.
People with food intolerance may have symptoms such as diarrhoea, bloating and stomach cramps. This may be caused by difficulties digesting certain substances, such as lactose. However, no allergic reaction takes place. Page last reviewed: 15 April Next review due: 15 April Some common symptoms include: an itchy sensation inside the mouth, throat or ears a raised itchy red rash urticaria , or "hives" swelling of the face, around the eyes, lips, tongue and roof of the mouth angioedema vomiting Read more about the symptoms of food allergies.
Anaphylaxis In the most serious cases, a person has a severe allergic reaction anaphylaxis , which can be life threatening. Call if you think someone has the symptoms of anaphylaxis , such as: breathing difficulties trouble swallowing or speaking feeling dizzy or faint Ask for an ambulance and tell the operator you think the person is having a severe allergic reaction.
What causes food allergies? Foods that most commonly cause an allergic reaction are: milk eggs peanuts tree nuts fish shellfish some fruit and vegetables Most children that have a food allergy will have experienced eczema during infancy.
Types of food allergies Food allergies are divided into 3 types, depending on symptoms and when they occur. IgE-mediated food allergy — the most common type, triggered by the immune system producing an antibody called immunoglobulin E IgE. Symptoms occur a few seconds or minutes after eating. There's a greater risk of anaphylaxis with this type of allergy. This type of allergy is often difficult to diagnose as symptoms take much longer to develop up to several hours.
Oral allergy syndrome pollen-food syndrome Some people experience itchiness in their mouth and throat, sometimes with mild swelling, immediately after eating fresh fruit or vegetables.
The Allergy UK website has more information. Celiac disease. While celiac disease is sometimes referred to as a gluten allergy, it does not result in anaphylaxis. Like a food allergy, it does involve an immune system response, but it's a unique reaction that's more complex than a simple food allergy.
This chronic digestive condition is triggered by eating gluten, a protein found in bread, pasta, cookies, and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye.
If you have celiac disease and eat foods containing gluten, an immune reaction occurs that causes damage to the surface of your small intestine, leading to an inability to absorb certain nutrients. Food allergies are more common in children, especially toddlers and infants.
As you grow older, your digestive system matures and your body is less likely to absorb food or food components that trigger allergies. Fortunately, children typically outgrow allergies to milk, soy, wheat and eggs.
Severe allergies and allergies to nuts and shellfish are more likely to be lifelong. Early introduction of peanut products has been associated with a lower risk of peanut allergy. Before introducing allergenic foods, talk with your child's doctor about the best time to offer them.
However, once food allergy has already developed, the best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to know and avoid foods that cause signs and symptoms. For some people, this is a mere inconvenience, but others find it a greater hardship. Also, some foods — when used as ingredients in certain dishes — may be well-hidden.
This is especially true in restaurants and in other social settings. Be careful at restaurants. Be certain your server or chef is aware that you absolutely can't eat the food you're allergic to, and you need to be completely certain that the meal you order doesn't contain it.
Also, make sure food isn't prepared on surfaces or in pans that contained any of the food you're allergic to. Don't be reluctant to make your needs known. Restaurant staff members are usually more than happy to help when they clearly understand your request. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food.
More Information Food allergy or intolerance? Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Food allergies: Labels. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Luyt D, et al. Diagnosis and management of food allergy in children. Paediatrics and Child Health. As a result, the body's immune system which fights infection and disease creates antibodies to fight the food allergen. Every time the person eats or, in some cases, handles or breathes in the food, the body releases chemicals like histamine.
This triggers allergic symptoms that can include:. People often confuse food allergies with food intolerance because of similar symptoms. The symptoms of food intolerance can include burping, indigestion, gas, loose stools, headaches, nervousness, or a feeling of being "flushed.
Most reactions happen pretty soon after eating a particular food. Everyone's different, though. So although two people may have peanut allergy, for example, both may not have the same type of allergic reaction. And even the same person can have different reactions to a particular food, depending on factors like how much he or she was exposed to.
Sometimes, an allergy can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis , even if a previous reaction was mild. Anaphylaxis might start with some of the same symptoms as a less severe reaction, but can quickly get worse.
The person may have trouble breathing or pass out. More than one part of the body might be involved. If it isn't treated, anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. Your doctor will look for any other conditions that could be causing symptoms.
For example, if you have diarrhea after drinking milk, the doctor may check to see if lactose intolerance could be causing the problem instead of a food allergy. Another condition that may mimic food allergy symptoms is celiac disease. People with celiac disease are not able to tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat and certain other grains. If your doctor thinks you have a food allergy, you'll probably see an allergist.
The allergist will ask you questions again and do a physical exam such as listening to your lungs. He or she will probably also run some tests to help diagnose the problem. The most common kind of allergy test is a skin test. A doctor or nurse will scratch the skin usually on the forearm or back with a tiny bit of the extract, then wait a few minutes to see if there's a reaction.
0コメント