An allergic reaction triggered by exposure to allergens found in food; exposure can occur through the skin, respiratory tract or digestive tract.

An allergy to a substance generally consumed for nutritional purposes.

A food allergy is an abnormal immune system reaction to certain foods. Your immune system normally protects you from germs. But if you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakenly reacts to certain foods as if they were harmful. This reaction is usually mild. But in some cases, it can be serious or even life-threatening. A food intolerance is different than a food allergy. If you have a food intolerance, you also have symptoms when you eat that food. But these are typically just digestive symptoms such as bloating and gas. Also, an intolerance is not an immune system reaction. Most food allergies are caused by: Cow's milk; Chicken eggs; Crustacean shellfish, such as shrimp, crab, lobster, and crayfish; Fish; Peanuts; Sesame; Soy; Tree nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, pecans; Wheat. People with a food allergy may be allergic to more than one type of food. Both children and adults can have food allergies. Some children will outgrow their food allergies. And sometimes people can develop food allergies as adult. Certain factors can make you more likely to have a food allergy. They include: Having eczema, a disease that causes inflammation, redness, and irritation of the skin. Your immune system also plays a role in eczema.; Having asthma or other allergies, such as hay fever.; Your genes. Certain genes may influence the development of food allergies. And you are more likely to have food allergies if someone in your family has allergies, asthma, or eczema. If you are allergic to a food you have eaten, you may have a variety of symptoms. These symptoms are not always the same for every person. And the symptoms that you get each time you eat the food may not always be the same. For example, your symptoms may sometimes depend on how much of the food you ate. Food allergy symptoms usually start within a few minutes to two hours after you eat that food. They may include: Hives; Flushed skin or rash; Tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth; Face, tongue, or lip swelling; Vomiting and/or diarrhea; Abdominal (belly) cramps; Coughing or wheezing; Dizziness and/or lightheadedness; Swelling of the throat and vocal cords; Trouble breathing. In rare cases, a food allergy can cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. It may start out with some milder symptoms, but then it becomes more serious. It can lead to: Narrowed airways in the lungs; Severe trouble breathing because of swelling in the throat; Severe lowering of blood pressure and shock ("anaphylactic shock"); Loss of consciousness. This is a medical emergency. Call 911 if someone is having the symptoms of anaphylaxis. To find out if you have a food allergy, your health care provider will Ask about your symptoms, family health history, and medical history, including other allergies.; Likely do a physical exam.; Do food allergy testing. This could involve skin testing, blood testing, a food elimination diet, and/or an oral food challenge test. An oral food challenge test is the most accurate food allergy test. There is no cure for food allergies. The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid eating the food that you are allergic to. There are medicines for people with food allergies. They include: Medicines to reduce food allergy symptoms, including antihistamines and corticosteroids.; Medicines to reduce allergic reactions, including severe reactions.; Epinephrine, a medicine to treat anaphylaxis. Your provider may give you a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector. It is a device used to...

(food allergies) Sensitivities to certain foods that can cause symptoms ranging from the mild (like hives) to the life threatening (such as anaphylaxis).

(food hypersensitivity) Gastrointestinal disturbances, skin eruptions, or shock due to allergic reactions to allergens in food.

Food allergy is an exaggerated immune response to dietary components, usually proteins. Manifestations vary widely and can include atopic dermatitis, gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms, and anaphylaxis. Diagnosis is by history and sometimes allergen-specific serum IgE testing, skin testing, and/or elimination diets. Treatment is...

Food allergies are immunologically mediated adverse reactions to foods. Any food protein can trigger an allergic response, and allergic reactions to a large number of foods have been documented; however, only a small group of foods account for most of these reactions.

Food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger signs and symptoms such as digestive problems, hives or swollen airways. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Food allergy, immunological response to a food. Although the true prevalence of food allergy is unclear, studies have indicated that about 1 to 5 percent of people have a clinically proven allergy to a food. More than 120 foods have been reported as causing food allergies, though the majority of...