Foods such as eggs, milk and peanuts are among the main causes of food allergies, a problem that arises due to an exaggerated reaction of the immune system against the food ingested.
Food allergy symptoms are most common in babies and children, but can appear at any age. It is also possible to develop allergies to foods that you have already been consuming, even for many years, and it is important to be aware of the symptoms. Find out what the symptoms of food allergies are.
In the presence of food allergy symptoms, it is important to identify the food responsible for the symptoms, as this way it is possible to avoid consuming it. Furthermore, it is recommended to consult your doctor for guidance on treatment, which normally involves the use of antihistamines and corticosteroids.
Main foods
The main foods that can cause food allergies are:
1. Peanuts
Peanut allergy causes symptoms such as itchy skin with red spots, tingling in the throat, swollen mouth, runny or congested nose and, in some cases, nausea.
To treat, peanuts and all products that use peanuts in their composition must be removed from the diet, and it is important to read the labels of processed foods to identify their presence.
For people who have food allergies, even in mild cases, it is recommended to pay attention to peanuts and their derivatives, as this is one of the foods that most frequently causes anaphylaxis, a condition that requires immediate attention and treatment, as when not treated quickly it can cause life at risk. Know how to identify the symptoms of anaphylaxis.
2. Seafood
Also known as shellfish, seafood includes crustaceans such as shrimp, crab and lobster, and molluscs such as mussels, oysters and scallops.
This is one of the most dangerous allergies, and can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, poor digestion, itchy skin, difficulty swallowing, pale or blue skin, mental confusion and a weak pulse. Therefore, for people who have already had an episode of food allergy, it is recommended to exclude these foods from the diet completely.
Furthermore, if you experience any symptoms, however mild they may be, after eating these foods, it is recommended that you seek the nearest health center.
3. Cow’s milk
Most cases of allergy to cow’s milk appear in the first year of life, and these people also tend to be allergic to the milk of other animals such as goats and sheep.
Symptoms appear shortly after consumption and the most common is diarrhea, however, itching, stomach upset and vomiting may also appear. Therefore, it is recommended to suspend products that may contain cow’s milk and other animals’ milk, even if they are in powder form. Find out how to identify a cow’s milk allergy.
If the allergy occurs in young children, the pediatrician will indicate the best formula to replace animal milk.
4 cheeses
Cheeses, especially dried and cured ones, can also lead to food allergies, because the longer the fermentation time for the cheese to have the desired flavor and smell, the greater the amount of histamine present in that food, resulting in an exaggerated reaction of the system. immune system when consumed.
The symptoms of this type of allergy appear a few minutes after consuming cheese, even in a small quantity, and you can notice the appearance of small red lumps on the skin, itching, swelling and redness on the skin of the arms, legs, belly, back and face. In some cases, when the allergy is very strong, there may be swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing, making it important that the person is taken to the emergency room as quickly as possible so that treatment can begin.
In this case, it is important to avoid consumption and contact with this type of cheese, in addition to paying attention to the food label, as they may contain traces of these types of cheese.
5. Oilseeds
The most common oilseed fruits that cause food allergies are almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts and cashews. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, itchy skin and face, nasal congestion or runny nose, and shortness of breath.
To avoid an allergic crisis, you should stop consuming these fruits and products that contain them or are their derivatives, such as almond milk, creams, oils, pastes and butters.
6. Ovo
Egg allergy can appear in childhood or adulthood, and presents symptoms such as itchy skin accompanied by red lumps, as well as respiratory problems and stomach pain.
To avoid these and other more serious symptoms, you must remove eggs from your diet and pay attention to whether the product label contains ingredients such as white or yolk. Find out how egg allergy is diagnosed and treated.
7. Wheat
Wheat allergy can appear at any stage of life and the symptoms caused by this allergy are usually nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and in some cases, difficulty breathing.
To reduce symptoms, you must remove wheat from your diet and all foods that use wheat in their composition. Alternatively, you can use amaranth, corn, oats, quinoa, rice and tapioca.
8. Fish
Unlike other foods, an allergy to fish usually only appears in adulthood and does not mean that the person should avoid all types of fish, as the allergy may only appear to one or a few different species, such as sharks, or swordfish for example. example. Furthermore, having an allergy to fish does not mean that a person will develop an allergy to seafood, such as shrimp and lobster.
The symptoms that usually appear are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, itching and red lumps on the skin, blocked or runny nose, sneezing, headache and in the most serious cases, asthma. To avoid food allergy attacks, it is recommended to remove these foods from the diet.
9. Soldier
Soy is one of the allergens that, despite not being frequently consumed in grain form, is present in the composition of several foods and can cause symptoms such as redness and itching of the body and mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and blocked nose.
Therefore, it is recommended that people who have food allergies check the packaging of all products before consuming them, in order to remove soy from the diet so that allergy attacks are avoided.
