Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by your body's immune system. In adults, the foods that most often trigger allergic reactions include fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts, such as walnuts. Problem foods for children can include eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and wheat
3. What is a food allergy?
• Some people’s bodies think that certain foods are harmful,
even if other people can eat them every day. If a person eats a
food they’re allergic to, they can get very sick. This is called an
“allergic reaction.” There is medicine that can stop the allergic
reaction and make them feel better. Food Allergy involves
immune response
4. 1 in 13 kids has a food allergy. That’s 8 kids in
every 100!
5. What foods cause allergic reactions?
• People can be allergic to
almost any food, but
most food allergy
reactions are caused by 8
foods:
6. Can doctors cure food allergies?
• There is no cure for food
allergies.
• The only way to keep from
having an allergic reaction
is to stay away from the
food you are allergic to.
7. Food Allergy
• An immediate immune response with IgE antibody
production triggering histamine release
• Affects about 4% of adults according to the CDC
• Allergies can be developed at any age and to foods that you
have eaten before
• Common symptoms: hives, swelling of throat, lips, or
tongue, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting
• Severe symptoms can lead to anaphylaxis
8. Is there a test for it?
• Food allergy testing can be done with a blood test
measuring IgE antibodies, or skin tests, which are
considered more accurate. If you have a diagnosed or
suspected allergy, you should avoid that food completely.
Severe food allergies are not likely to go away, but in certain
cases, the severity of reaction may diminish through dietary
changes.
9. What would happen if my friend eats a food
they are allergic to?
• Some reactions can be more serious than
others. Your friend could get very sick
right away, even from just a tiny bit of a
food he is allergic to.
• He would need his medicine very quickly
and may need to go to the hospital.
