Food Allergies
A food allergy is the result of your body’s natural defenses overreacting when exposed to a specific type or group of foods. The allergic response can range from a mild allergic reaction to a severe, life-threatening reaction, known as anaphylaxis. How long does an allergic reaction last? This can vary by person and allergy but often an allergic reaction can last anywhere from hours to days.
Food allergies in babies and children are most common, and some can be outgrown or therapies can help to lessen the reaction. This is true in the case of peanut allergy symptoms–with peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) and peanut desensitization, individuals can better cope with their allergy and treatment often results in less intense symptoms of peanut allergy in adults.
The top 9 food allergens are eggs, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy and the most recently added, sesame allergy. These are the top allergens for baby and can continue into adulthood, making up roughly 90% of the food allergy cases in the United States. Millions of Americans have a food allergy of some kind, and they can arise at any age. Diagnosis requires testing by a board-certified allergist.
Common food allergy symptoms can be experienced in the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular system and the respiratory tract and can vary by person and allergy. You can read more about food allergies along with common symptoms and treatment options in the links below. Feel free to contact our team with questions. At Allergy/Immunology Associates, Inc. we welcome food allergy patients–contact us to learn how you can be referred.
What to Know About Food Allergies: Causes and Treatments
- Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)
- Food Allergies Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment (ACAAI)
- Should My Child Try Peanut Allergy Treatment?
- Peanut Desensitization