Analyzing ingredients. Questioning servers. Bringing your own food to parties. Life with food allergies can feel challenging, but remember that you’re not alone. These dietary limitations affect millions of people worldwide – around 6% of U.S. adults and children, to be exact. And like all allergies, knowledge is the key to comfort for a happy, healthy life. Family Allergy & Asthma practices have local board-certified allergists nearby to help you in that process.

Understanding Food Allergies

Food allergies occur when the body misidentifies a harmless food protein as a threat, triggering the symptoms of an allergic reaction. While studies continue to uncover which cause reactions, there are currently more than 160 foods identified to trigger symptoms, with a core group responsible for the majority of food allergies.

The “Big Nine” Food Allergies

Of all food allergens, the “Big Nine” are more often than not the root of your food allergy symptoms. These infamous triggers include:

Sesame is the latest addition to this list, only officially recognized as a major allergen on Jan. 1, 2023. As a result, older products might not have this ingredient listed among the other major food allergens on their labeling.

Signs and Symptoms of Food Allergies

Food allergy symptoms can affect different parts of your body, with signs and symptoms varying from person to person. Reactions can appear within minutes to several hours after eating trigger foods. Common food allergy symptoms include:

Hives or red, itchy skin
Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
Stomach cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea
Trouble breathing or difficulty swallowing
Coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath
Anaphylaxis

Among this list, anaphylaxis is the most severe. This rapid allergic reaction is a life-threatening combination of several concurrent symptoms – difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, etc.

This reaction requires immediate treatment—usually an injection of epinephrine (like with an EpiPen) and a trip to the emergency room.

Diagnosing Food Allergies

Receiving an accurate food diagnosis is essential to finding relief, and our allergy specialists can help. You can aid in your accurate diagnosis by keeping a meal journal that also tracks the timing and type of symptoms that occur after eating.

Food allergy symptoms are often obvious. If symptoms recur, it is a strong sign that the food you’ve eaten beforehand is the cause. If allergies are suspected but there is no clear sign, an allergy and asthma specialist can conduct allergy skin testing to explore potential triggers for the true cause of symptoms.

How to Manage Food Allergies

While food allergies can feel daunting, your allergist can educate you on several management strategies and treatments available to help you lead a safe, healthy life:

Avoidance

The most effective way to manage food allergies is to avoid known allergens. This requires reading food labels carefully, being aware of potential cross-contamination, and communicating dietary restrictions when eating out.

Emergency Preparedness

Those with severe allergies should always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (like an EpiPen). This is the first line of defense in treating anaphylactic reactions before medical help is available.

Create an Allergy Action Plan

Developing a personalized allergy action plan with your allergist is crucial. This plan will detail how to avoid allergens, recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction, and respond appropriately in an emergency.

Education and Advocacy

Educating yourself, family, friends and caregivers about food allergies is vital. Advocating for a better understanding of food and accommodations for yourself or loved ones with food allergies can make life safer and more enjoyable for all.

Take a Bite Out of Allergy Symptoms

Don’t let fear of food allergies slow you down! Family Allergy & Asthma’s trusted allergy specialists are always ready to guide patients toward relief. With locations across the region, allergy relief is always close to home. Contact us today to schedule your allergy appointment.

About Family Allergy & Asthma

Founded in 1979, Family Allergy & Asthma’s practice network of allergy and asthma specialists provides high-quality, reliable and lasting allergy relief throughout Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, and includes affiliates Allergy & Asthma Specialists (AAS), Asthma and Allergy Associates of Florida (AAAF) and Arkansas Allergy and Asthma Clinic (AAAC). For more information, visit familyallergy.com, and follow Family Allergy & Asthma on Facebook, Instagram and X.