Do you know someone who has a food allergy? It is estimated that about two students in every classroom and one in every 10 adults have a food allergy. It’s possible to be allergic to any food, but these are the top 9 foods in the US that cause allergic reactions:
- milk
- egg
- fish, such as bass, flounder, or cod
- crustacean shellfish, such as crab, lobster, or shrimp
- tree nuts, such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts
- wheat
- peanuts
- soybeans
- sesame
Food allergies may be more serious than you think
- A true food allergy reaction can quickly become life threatening and requires quick action. A tiny amount of the food allergen can cause a serious allergic reaction, even if your friend has only experienced milder symptoms before.
- Sometimes food allergies are not taken seriously because there are non-allergic reactions to food that have similar symptoms, such as pain or discomfort. Most of us will experience this at some point, but we will usually recover without medical assistance. What this means is that friends and extended family members may not think that total avoidance is necessary and won’t be as careful.
When inviting someone over to your house or preparing food for them, ask if they have a food allergy. People with food allergies will appreciate that you are thinking about their safety. Check back later this week to learn more about food allergy safety.
Learn more about Living with Food Allergies on the Food Allergy Research and Education website
