Common Food Allergies

A food allergy is the result of the body’s immune system reacting adversely to proteins in specific food. The manner in which the body reacts can be different depending on the body type, the protein in the food and the immune system of the body.

Following the Pareto-Optima, there are mainly eight food allergies that are accountable for over ninety five per cent of food allergies across the globe. They are listed below:

• Dairy: this is an allergic reaction of the body to milk and milk products such as cheese, butter, yogurt, cream etc. The best way to prevent this is to not consume these products
• Egg: when people are allergic either to the yolk or the white of the egg. As there is no way to cure this yet, it is best to completely avoid eggs altogether.

This can occur even if there is egg present as a raw ingredient in other food dishes.
• Pea nut: This is different from an allergy where the person is allergic to every type of nut. Here, there is only an allergic reaction to Pea nuts. This can be quite serious as there is vomiting, swelling of glands etc
• Tree nut: When the person is allergic to all other nuts. This includes cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts etc.
• Seafood: It is mainly asthmatic people that are allergic to crayfish, fish with scales etc. This can be quite dangerous and needs to be treated
• Shellfish: These allergies relate to the allergic reaction to shellfish such as crabs. You need to avoid food that contains these fish and their oils.
• Soy: If you are allergic to Soy, then you must be extra careful to note the ingredients of tinned food available in grocery stores or food served in restaurants as they might contain soy oil or soy milk.
• Wheat: This is more common in countries where wheat is part of the staple diet. It is not necessary that it is only the consumption of wheat that will lead to the allergic reaction, but it is also contact with the external surface of the wheat grain. For instance, it might cause wheezing or sneezing if you are in a wheat field.

In a nutshell, there is some medication you can take but it is safest to avoid the food that you might have an allergic reaction to.

Submitted on March 23, 2011