Holistic Fitness & Lifestyle
By Ruth Henao. C.P.T
A food allergy is a potentially serious response to the consumption of certain foods or food additives. For those who are sensitive, a reaction can occur within minutes, or hours. And symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening.
These eight foods account for 90 percent of food allergic reactions in people. They are:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish (such as bass, flounder, and cod)
- Crustacean shellfish (such as crab, lobster, and shrimp)
- Tree nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, and pecans)
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybean
Symptoms of food allergies typically appear within minutes to up to 2 hours after the ingestion of the food the individual is allergic to. Allergic reactions can include:
Hives, flushed skin or rash, tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth, face, tongue, or lip swelling, vomiting and/or diarrhea, abdominal cramps, coughing or wheezing, dizziness and/or light-headedness, swelling of the throat and vocal cords, difficulty breathing, drop of blood pressure.
Is there a cure for food allergies?
There is no cure for food allergies. Some food allergies can be outgrown. Studies have shown that the severity of food allergies can change throughout a person's life. The best prevention is the strict avoidance of food allergens.