Frequently Asked Questions About Food Allergies

Question:  What are common symptoms of food allergies?

Answer:   Symptoms can vary but common food allergy symptoms are abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble swallowing, swelling (on the face, hands, etc), hives and itching. Some children and adults also experience coughing and wheezing. In very severe cases, trouble breathing, fainting and shock can occur.
 

Question:  What foods are most likely to cause food allergy?

Answer:  The most common foods to cause allergic reactions in young children are milk, eggs, wheat, soy and peanuts.  The most common foods to cause allergic reactions in adults are fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts and eggs.

Question:   What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?

Answer:   Having an unpleasant reaction to food is a fairly common problem. Fortunately, true food allergy is a relatively uncommon medical problem. Allergic reaction to a food is caused by the immune system overreacting to a specific component of that food. Food intolerance can cause similar unpleasant reactions when eating a food, but the immune system is not involved.

Question:  Can an antihistamine prevent allergic reactions for food allergies?

Answer:  For those with true allergy to a food, taking an antihistamine during an allergic reaction may be helpful to relieve the hives and itching. They have little role in relieving any type of respiratory problem. For adverse reactions to foods, which are not allergic in nature, antihistamines have little effectiveness.

Question: Can someone outgrow peanut allergy?

Answer:  Young children often outgrow their food allergies, especially to soy, wheat, egg, and milk products.  It is less likely that a child will outgrow peanut allergy. However, studies during the past few years have indicated that about 20 percent of children with allergic reactions to peanut in the first years of life may outgrow their sensitivity.

Question: My son's rast test results are worse than ever. His allergen levels raised for both cashews and walnuts. Do you think this means he's getting exposure to these allergens, somehow?

Answer: It is difficult to give a definitive answer. This is not uncommon. It could be that different labs were used. It could be that he has had minor, even cutaneous (skin) contact or that his immune system is more mature and stimulation has led to higher levels. It could be that he has been exposed to cross reacting allergens that have yet to be recognized.You should consult with your pediatric allergist.

E-mail our Lung Line nurses with additional food allergy questions .

This information has been approved by Epi Mazzei, RN (November 2007).