Any food can trigger an allergic reaction. However, Baumgartner said eight foods account for 90% of all food allergies and are the most common allergens:
· Tree nuts (like walnuts and cashews)
· Peanuts
· Milk products
· Soy
· Wheat
· Fish
· Shellfish
· Eggs
An allergic reaction is triggered when the immune system mistakenly overreacts to a food that it thinks if a harmful invader. The overreaction causes symptoms that may appear within seconds to hours after eating a trigger food. A severe allergic reaction to a food can involve many body organs and may develop rapidly. This reaction is called anaphylaxis.
Signs and symptoms of adverse food reactions may include any or several of the following: itching, tingling, and/or swelling of the lips, palate, tongue, or throat, chest tightness, shortness of breath or wheezing, skin reactions (hives, rashes, itching, or flushing), nasal congestions or itchiness, itchy or teary eyes, intestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea), or Without treatment, food allergies can even lead to death.
Iowa State University Extension has excellent, newly published small posters and information on food allergies. If you are the parent of a child or know of a child with food allergies, these would be great to share with child-care providers, school staff, or anyone who comes in contact with that child. It can be a matter of life or death!
The small posters and information can be downloaded & printed from the following site: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/store/ListItems.aspx?Keyword=food%20allergies.-30-