Common Food Allergens_ What to Avoid and How to Cope

Did you know that 1 in every 13 children has a food allergy, and the rate of food allergies in adults is on the rise? That’s right – food allergies are becoming increasingly more common. While some people can be mildly allergic to certain foods, for others, a reaction could be life-threatening.

It’s important to know which foods you’re allergic to and how to identify them. That’s why, in this article, we’ll go over the most common food allergens and how to identify them. We’ll also discuss the symptoms you should look out for and what to do if you have a reaction.

Table of Contents

Common Food Allergens – Identifying Symptoms, Foods to Avoid, etc.

Let’s start by discussing the most common food allergens. The 8 major food allergens are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. These are the foods that account for 90% of all food allergies in the US. Here is a breakdown of each one:

Milk– Common symptoms of a milk allergy include hives, itchy skin, and/or swelling of the lips or tongue. Foods to avoid with a milk allergy include dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

Eggs– Symptoms of an egg allergy can range from mild (such as hives) to severe (such as anaphylaxis). Foods to avoid with an egg allergy include eggs and products containing eggs such as mayonnaise.

Fish– Symptoms of a fish allergy can range from hives and itchy skin to vomiting and difficulty breathing. Therefore, individuals with this condition should abstain from any type of seafood, such as salmon, tuna, shrimp, or oysters.

Shellfish– Shellfish allergies can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe, including hives and difficulty breathing. Foods to avoid include shrimp, crab, lobster, and other shellfish.

Tree Nuts– Tree nut allergies can be severe and can even lead to anaphylaxis. Common tree nuts that people are allergic to include almonds, walnuts, and pistachios.

Peanuts– Peanut allergies can range from mild to life-threatening. Common symptoms include hives, swelling of the lips, and difficulty breathing. Foods to avoid with a peanut allergy include all types of peanuts (including peanut butter) as well as foods that may contain traces of peanuts such as candy or baked goods.

Wheat– A wheat allergy can cause a range of symptoms including hives, itchy skin, and difficulty breathing. Foods to avoid with a wheat allergy include bread, kinds of pasta, cereals, and other products containing wheat or gluten.

Soybeans– An allergy to soybeans can cause skin rashes, itching, and even difficulty breathing. To prevent a reaction from occurring, it is important to avoid foods such as soy sauce, tofu, miso soup, and edamame that contain soybean elements.

How to Cope with Food Allergies and Manage Your Diet Accordingly

If you suspect that you have a food allergy, it’s best to see an allergist right away. An allergist can test your blood or skin to determine if you have an allergy and suggest treatments for it.

Common treatments for allergies include medications such as antihistamines, which can help reduce mild symptoms of food allergies. In more severe cases, a doctor may prescribe epinephrine (an EpiPen) in case of an emergency.

It’s also important to keep your diet in check. Make sure that you read food labels carefully and avoid foods that could contain the allergen, even if they don’t list it explicitly on the package. Managing your diet accordingly is the best way to ensure that you stay safe from potential allergens.

Another way to manage food allergies is to keep an “emergency kit” with you at all times. This should include epinephrine, antihistamines, and other items recommended by your allergists such as a breathing mask or inhaler.

Conclusion

Food allergies are becoming increasingly more common and can be life-threatening if left untreated. It is important to be aware of the most common food allergens, as well as their symptoms and foods to avoid. Additionally, it is important to educate yourself on treatments for food allergies and manage your diet accordingly to stay safe from potential allergens. With proper awareness and management, individuals with food allergies can still lead a healthy life.