Living with Food Allergies

Family preparing food About 15 million adults and children in the U.S. have food allergies. The most common food allergens include eggs, milk, peanuts and tree nuts. An allergic reaction to a food is caused by the immune system overacting to the food. Some allergic reactions can be life-threatening, so living with food allergies includes eliminating exposure to food allergens, reading labels on packaged foods, educating family, friends and care givers about food allergies, and following a Food Allergy Action Plan.

The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to eliminate exposure to the specific food allergen. Learn different names for food allergens. Read labels carefully to identify foods in packages. Carry injectable epinephrine and an oral antihistamine as prescribed for emergencies. Learn more about your food allergies and how to avoid foods you are allergic to by talking with your doctor or a registered dietitian.

A Food Allergy Miracle

By the time Jack Littauer was four, he had already been rushed to the hospital four times for allergic reactions to food, once landing in the intensive care unit. By the time Jack and his family left National Jewish Health, the Littauers felt like a cloud had been lifted.

Read Jack's Story

Pediatric Food Allergy Program

The Pediatric Food Allergy Diagnosis and Management Program at National Jewish Health for Kids in Denver, Colorado, brings together a team of nationally recognized allergists, nurses, dietitians, therapists and more.

Learn more about Pediatric Food Allergy

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