Facts About Food Allergies
According to recent research by the Food Allergy Initiative, 1 out of every 13 children in the United States has a food allergy.

What are the most common foods that cause allergic reactions?
There are more than 160 foods that can cause allergic reactions; however 8 foods are responsible for 90 percent of all food-allergy reactions: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. These 8 foods, and other ingredients that use these foods, are called “major food allergens.” Laws require that major food allergens are clearly listed on food labels so that people with allergies can avoid these foods.

How do you know it’s an allergy?
A food allergy is an abnormal reaction on the part of the body’s immune system. There are many different types of symptoms that can occur when someone is exposed to a food allergen. These symptoms can appear immediately or over several minutes or even hours. In addition, the symptoms in any person can change over time, sometimes becoming more severe as the person gets older. Symptoms are usually mild; however, they can be lifethreatening. The most commonly seen reactions to food allergies can include symptoms of the skin (hives, flushing, eczema, or rash), the mouth and throat (tingling, itching, swelling), the lungs (coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing), the stomach (cramps, vomiting, diarrhea), or other reactions such as dizziness or loss of consciousness.

What is the treatment for