Milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. They’re all good for you, unless you’re among those who are allergic to these, which have been identified by the Food and Drug Administration as being among the most common food allergies for children.
Milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. They’re all good for you, unless you’re among those who are allergic to these, which have been identified by the Food and Drug Administration as being among the most common food allergies for children.
Food allergies trigger the body’s immune system to produce antibodies and histamine as a defense mechanism. These natural chemicals produce symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system.
Symptoms might include a runny nose, itchy skin rash, tingling in the tongue, lips, or throat, swelling, abdominal pain, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Severe cases can be life threatening.
True food allergies are less common than food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, which affects the digestive system and does not involve the immune system. Although there is no way to “cure” a food allergy, it is believed that breastfeeding may help to prevent food allergies in babies.
It’s important to read food labels very carefully to avoid ingredients that trigger a reaction. If you suspect a food allergy, a doctor can steer you through allergy tests to help identify the cause.
