Food allergens are more common in infants and children, but may occur at any age. In some cases allergies can develop against foods that have been eaten for many years without any problems. Food Allergies occur because the immune system attacks the food, which is identified as a stranger organism.
Symptoms of food allergies include vomiting, colic, chills, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, difficulty swallowing, swollen tongue, weak heartbeat, dandruff or dizziness, dizziness, and at worst anaphylaxis. It is a serious reaction that can threaten life due to food allergens.
Also read this Allergy to Avocado
Now, What Types Of Foods That Trigger Food Allergies ?
List Of Common Food allergens That Can Cause Allergies
Cows Milk
Milk allergy is one of the most common childhood allergies, affecting 2-3% of infants and young children. However, 90% of children recover from this condition by the time they are three years old .
Infants and young children are more likely to have this condition when exposed to protein in cow’s milk before they are six months old.
The best way to treat milk allergy is to avoid the food that contains the cows milk like :Milk Powder,Yogurt,Butter & cheese ,cream and Ice Cream.
Eggs
Eggs allergy is the second most common food allergy in children, but 68% of children get rid of this egg allergy by reaching 16 years of age.
It is worth mentioning that allergy to eggs may be to egg whites without yolk or may be to the yolk without egg whites because of the different proteins of each, but most of the proteins that cause allergies appear in egg whites which makes allergy to egg whites more common.
Person with egg allergies may not need the to avoid all foods containing eggs, because cooking eggs can convert allergens to another form not recognized by the body as a strange substance, and some studies have shown that adding baked foods to children with egg allergy can help reduce the time for the body to get rid of eggs allergy.
Nuts
like cashews, almonds, cashew nuts, macadamia, pistachios, pine nuts, and food products made from these nuts, such as hazelnut butter and oil.
It is recommended to avoid all kinds of nuts for those who are allergic to one or more of these nuts because the allergy to one of them increases the risk of being allergic to other types of nuts,Unlike some other food allergies, allergy to nuts is a permanent condition that does not go away with aging in most cases.
Peanuts
Allergy to peanuts is very common also, affecting about 4-8% of children, 1-2% of adults and can cause severe allergy and possibly fatal. It is worth mentioning that people who suffer from peanut allergy are also allergic to Nuts mostly, and allergies may disappear in 15-22% of children as soon as they reach adolescence.
Shellfish or Oysters
Some of sea species that can cause allergies; shrimp, prawns, crayfish, lobsters, squid, and scallops. Allergy to shellfish does not disappear with age in most cases, so people with this type of allergies need to avoid these foods at all times.
Another thing you should know that the vapors rising from the shellfish when its being cooked can cause the allergy for these people who have allergies from shellfish and therefore it is recommended to avoid places where the shellfish are cooked.
Soy
Soy Food allergens affects about 0.4% of children; most of them are infants and children under the age of three, and disappears in approximately 70% of children as they get older . Interestingly, a small number of children who are allergic to cow’s milk are allergic to soybeans too.
Fish
Fish allergy affects nearly 2% of adults, and allergies may appear late-age; 40% of fish allergies occur after puberty. Many people with a fish allergy are allergic to one type of fish or more.
Wheat
Wheat allergies occur due to the body immune system response of one of hundreds of proteins found in wheat, which may result in a severe allergic reaction and life-threatening in some cases.
The allergy of wheat affects children more, but it can disappear once they reach 10, (Celiac disease) and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which may have similar gastrointestinal symptoms.
People suffering from abdominal disease or glutinous gluten intolerance should avoid wheat and other cereals And those with wheat allergies need to avoid wheat alone and can tolerate gluten in grains that do not contain wheat.
Less Common Food Allergies
There are several types of foods that can lead to allergies but less commonly than the foods listed above, including:
- Corn.
- Gelatin.
- Meat, such as beef, chicken, mutton.
- Seeds such as sesame seeds, sunflowers.
- Spices such as coriander, garlic, mustard.
- Avocado.
- Kiwi Fruits.
Food Additives
Food allergies may appear in some cases due to exposure to some types of food food allergens, including:
Sulfites : Usually used as food preservatives. They also prevent foods from turning brown when exposed to air. Sulfates are found in dried fruits, some types of jam and frozen potatoes.
Tartrazine, a yellow dye often found in drinks, desserts, ice cream, cheese, canned vegetables, and ketchup.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used to enhance flavor in meat and canned foods and is frequently used in food prepared in Chinese restaurants.