MILD TO MODERATE SYMPTOMS

Skin:

  • Hives

  • Eczema Flare

Nasal:

  • Runny nose

Eyes:

  • Watery/itchy eyes

Common Food Allergies

Food allergy symptoms can occur within a few minutes to up to 2 hours after ingestion of the specific allergen-containing product. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, depending on the individual: 

SEVERE SYMPTOMS

  • Abdominal pain/cramping

  • Vomiting/diarrhea

  • Dizziness/light-headedness, indicating a drop in blood pressure

  • Rapid pulse

  • Cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, and/or chest tightness (like asthma)

These are all indicators of anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. If you/your child experiences any of these symptoms, immediately treat with an epinephrine autoinjector (e.g. EpiPen®) and visit the nearest emergency department.

COW’S MILK ALLERGY

Cow’s milk protein allergies are some of the most common types of food allergies. When you have a cow’s milk allergy, you have specific allergy antibodies (“IgE antibodies”) that bind to dairy proteins recognizing them as foreign, which then tell the body to release chemicals that lead to the symptoms listed above. If diagnosed with a cow’s milk allergy, all milk-containing products should be avoided (check for hidden sources too). Milk allergies can be outgrown, but it is best to consult with a physician before reintroducing dairy.

Note: A cow’s milk allergy is NOT the same as lactose intolerance.

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HEN’S EGG ALLERGY

Hen’s egg allergies are one of the most common food allergies in children. An egg allergy occurs when your body mistakenly identified certain egg proteins as harmful. The two main types of egg allergies include allergies to lightly-cooked eggs and allergies to baked eggs. Egg-containing products should be avoided if an egg allergy is suspected (including hidden sources). Egg allergies are often outgrown (usually by age 7), but it is best to consult with a physician before reintroducing egg.

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PEANUT AND TREE NUT ALLERGY

Peanut and tree nut allergies occur when the body mistakenly sees either tree nut proteins or peanut proteins as harmful and mounts an allergic response. Peanuts are not considered tree nuts because they are part of the legume family, so individuals with peanut allergies are often not allergic to tree nuts and vice versa. However, it is often recommended that individuals with peanut and/or tree nut allergies avoid tree nut or peanut-containing foods due to the high risk of cross-contamination between products. Individuals with tree nut allergies may only be allergic to one type of tree nut, but they may also react to multiple types of tree nuts as well. Certain types of tree nuts are known to be more cross-reactive with one another because of the similarity in protein structure, such as cashews and pistachios. If you have a peanut or tree nut allergy, always check carefully when purchasing foods and products to avoid accidental ingestion or contact with your allergen.

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SEAFOOD ALLERGY

Seafood is a general term that encompasses both shellfish, including crustaceans (e.g. crab) and mollusks (e.g. clam), and finned fish (e.g. salmon). The onset of seafood allergies is typically in adulthood, even after having previously tolerated seafood products. For individuals with seafood allergies, it is important to avoid products that contain their specific seafood allergen (including hidden sources).

Note: Individuals with finned fish allergies are not generally allergic to shellfish products, and vice versa, since different proteins are involved in the allergic response.

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