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Which Foods Can Cause Allergies

Source: NDSU Extension Service Nutrition Specialists

Many people do not have a good idea of what a "food allergy" is. Other terms, which are often used to mean the same thing, are food sensitivity, food intolerance, or food idiosyncrasy.

Food allergies usually mean reactions to food that involve a response from the body's immune system. However, there are other reactions to food which do not involve the immune system.

These may be caused by:

-- Natural substances in foods

-- Substances that are added to foods

-- Naturally occurring food toxins

-- Food poisoning

-- Or certain genetic enzyme deficiencies

Treatment is different, depending upon whether the reaction is caused by the immune system or one of the other reasons. Therefore, it is important to find out what type of reaction has actually occurred.

Most children or adults with food allergies are only allergic to one or two foods. It is rare for a person to have allergic reactions to numerous foods at one time. The foods most often identified with allergic reactions are: milk, eggs, beans, nuts, wheat, fish, citrus fruits, shrimp, crab or lobster.

Other foods can produce reactions in some children and adults. These reactions are probably not caused by an immune reaction but are skin reactions like eczema (EK-sa-ma), hives, and swelling of lips, ears and face. About 25 percent of people with food allergies experience skin reactions. Only about 4 percent of those with food allergies experience respiratory symptoms like a runny nose or asthma.

The least common, but most severe reaction is anaphylactic shock. People who suffer from this may experience several symptoms at the same time such as difficult breathing, swelling of some part of the body, a warm feeling all over, and a drop in blood pressure. This type of reaction requires immediate hospital emergency treatment.

Other foods may cause both allergic and non-allergic reactions in a few people. It is important to check any apparent reactions to food with a qualified health care professional.

If you have further questions, please contact your county office of the NDSU Extension Service.

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