Food allergies are something often associated with children. That's because most children grow out of their food allergies early in childhood. However, not all youngsters see their allergies go away, and many adults have allergic reactions to food throughout their lives.
Though it's possible for any food to trigger an allergy, most foods will not. Allergic reactions to food are, more often than not, triggered by the following foods.
1. Peanuts: While some kids outgrow a peanut allergy, it's often lifelong. One of the most common causes of food allergy, peanuts can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction. Such severe side effects is one reason medical professionals often recommend people with peanut allergies avoid even the tiniest amounts of peanuts. Even a trace of peanuts can cause severe reactions, so it's sometimes best to avoid tree nuts as well. These include almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, and cashew nuts. Crude peanut oil might also contain peanut allergens, and many people with peanut allergies avoid such oil as a result.
2. Eggs: Many children with an egg allergy outgrow it by the time they become toddlers. However, some have such a severe egg allergy they cannot even be around when someone is cooking eggs. Cooking the eggs can destroy the allergens most people react to, but cooking won't necessarily kill all of them. People with an egg allergy should check labels when visiting the grocery store, as products like ice cream, hot dogs, mayonnaise, and some pastas are hidden sources of eggs and can trigger an allergy.
3. Milk: A milk allergy is another type that children often outgrow by the time they reach toddlerhood. However, not all kids outgrow a milk allergy, which can manifest itself as rashes, diarrhea, vomiting or stomach cramps. When a person has a milk allergy, it's caused by a reaction to certain allergens in cows' milk, including whey and casein. Even small amounts of casein and whey can trigger an allergy, and the allergens in cow's milk are very similar to those in goat's and sheep's milk as well, meaning it's possible that a person with a cow's milk allergy will also be allergic to goat's and sheep's milk.
4. Fish: Adults are more likely to have an allergic reaction to fish and shellfish than children. Those with a specific fish allergy should be wary of cross-contamination, and many are advised that it's best to avoid seafood entirely. What's more, because the allergens in fish are so similar, people who are allergic to a specific type of fish will often find that other types of fish trigger a reaction as well. When shopping, be careful of certain Caesar salad dressings, as some contain anchovy paste, and read the labels before buying any fish sauce or even Worcestershire sauce.
5. Wheat: Wheat allergy is one of the more common food allergies. One of wheat's most prominent allergens is gliadin, a protein found in gluten. As a result, many people with a wheat allergy follow a gluten-free diet, which means they must avoid many processed snacks, deli meats, some ice creams, and even beer.
When it comes to food allergies, some of the more enjoyable foods are common triggers. To avoid many of the more harmful side effects of food allergies, always read product labels before cooking or consuming foods.
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