Food allergies are caused when the body reacts negatively to the protein found in certain food. The body mistakes the protein in food as something harmful. What happens next is what causes the negative symptoms. The body then sends white blood cells to try and fight the non-existent infection.

Some allergies are minor, such as rashes. Other allergic reactions can be deadly, such as anaphylaxis. This is a condition that causes labored breathing, and in sometimes a tightening of the throat muscles that can suffocate a person.

Here are some of the most common foods that cause allergies.

Peanuts

Peanuts are one of the most common foods that people are allergic to. There are even some schools that have banned peanuts in the cafeteria because the allergy is so common. One group has estimated that 4 million people are allergic to peanuts.

Shellfish

Another common food that people have allergies to is shellfish. One unique feature to this allergy is that some people are allergic to all shellfish, while others are only allergic to specific types of shellfish. For instance, a person might be fine eating shrimp, but could go into anaphylactic shock if they had scallops.

Milk and Eggs

The two most common allergies in children are milk and eggs. While many children will eventually outgrow the allergy, some do not.

It can be difficult to avoid milk and eggs. Unlike shellfish, many prepared meals have milk or eggs in them. Luckily, most prepackaged meals indicate if they contain milk or eggs.

Testing For Allergic Reactions

There are two common methods to test for allergic reactions. The fist is the pin prick method. This method involved a series of tiny needles pricking the finger of the patient. Each needle will have a very small sample of a particular known allergen. The doctor will observe the patient and see if there is any negative reaction.

The second method is a blood test. This process involved taking a small blood sample and sending it off to a laboratory to be tested.

What To Do If You Or Your Child Is Allergic

The main task is to make sure you avoid the foods. This is easy enough with shellfish, but it can be difficult with the other foods. Whenever you are eating prepackaged foods, make sure to read the ingredients. Most manufacturers mention if the meal was made in an environment that handles nuts, milk or egg.

For extra precaution, it is wise to carry an epinephrine autoinjector. These are little devices that can save your life in the event of an anaphylactic reaction.

For more information, contact Allergy Clinic - Idaho or a similar location.