The eight major allergenic foods are wheat, nuts, shellfish, eggs, fish, soya, sesame seeds and cow’s milk.
Food allergies are serious illnesses and can cause varying reactions depending on the severity.
Approximately 2 per cent of all adults suffer from a food allergy, 10 per cent of infants under one and 4 to 8 per cent of children up to five years of age. Many children grow out of their food allergies; however, allergies to tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish or seeds are more often lifelong conditions.
The eight major allergenic foods are wheat, nuts, shellfish, eggs, fish, soya, sesame seeds and cow’s milk. Together they make up approximately 90 per cent of all food allergies and vary from mild to life threatening.
1. Wheat
Wheat contains the protein gluten which people who suffer from coeliac disease are allergic to. If gluten is ingested, a person who is allergic to it can experience various symptoms, ranging from mild to life threatening.
They can include:
Inflammation in the abdomen and bowel, which is often painful
Diarrhoea, bloating and cramping
Mouth ulcers
Muscle pains
Skin irritations
2. Nuts
Nuts are one of the most common food allergies worldwide and include Brazil nuts, peanuts, cashews, almonds, pecans and coconut, chestnuts, pistachios, pine nuts, walnuts and hazelnuts.
Nut allergies can cause symptoms that range from mild to fatal and include:
Skin irritations and rashes
Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
Itchy mouth, throat or eyes
Swelling of the throat, tongue and lips
Shortness of breath
Anaphylactic reactions – in severe cases
3. Shellfish
The most likely shellfish to be eaten are prawns, crabs, lobsters, oysters, abalone and shrimps.
The symptoms of an allergy to shellfish can vary depending on the severity and can include:
Tingling in the mouth
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
Skin irritations
Dizziness and fainting
Throat swelling and breathing difficulty
Drop in blood pressure and rapid pulse
Anaphylaxis
4. Eggs
Although eggs are a fundamental ingredient in many kitchens and meals, they are also responsible for a range of allergic reactions. Generally it is hen’s eggs that mainly affect those who suffer from an egg allergy. Like some other allergies, an allergy to eggs mainly affects young children and is often outgrown after the child’s first six years.
Reactions to egg allergies often occur in the digestive system and symptoms can vary and include:
Skin inflammation and hives
Sneezing and nasal congestion
Abdominal pain and diarrhoea
Nausea and vomiting
Coughing, shortness of breath
Anaphylaxis – in some cases
5. Milk
An allergy to cow’s milk is one of the more frequent food allergies worldwide and is reportedly the highest cause of food allergy in infants. Like eggs, an allergy to milk affects more children than adults and is often outgrown after a child reaches 6 years of age.
People who suffer from an allergy to milk are likely affected by either the lactose or the milk proteins, though in some cases both. A milk allergy can also cause the sufferer to have difficulty gaining weight or height.
Some of the common symptoms of a milk allergy are:
Skin irritations
Abdominal pain and vomiting
Diarrhoea – which can contain blood
Runny nose, coughing and sneezing
Anaphylaxis – in some cases
6. Fish
Fish allergies are more common in populations with a high rate of seafood consumption and they primarily occur in adolescents and adults. It is estimated that approximately 1 per cent of the worlds population suffer from some form of seafood allergy.
Symptoms of an allergy to fish can vary and often depend on the type of fish ingested, some symptoms are:
Skin irritations
Swelling of the throat, mouth and nose
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Breathing difficulties
A severe drop in blood pressure
Anaphylaxis – in some cases
7. Soya
Unlike many of the other most common food allergens, an allergy to soy is often more uncomfortable than life-threatening. If a severe reaction does occur then it is more likely that the person also suffers from asthma or another allergy. An allergy to soya refers to soybeans, which are a member of the legume family, and does not necessarily mean that the sufferer will also be allergic to other legumes, peanuts for example.
The symptoms of a soya allergy can be:
Tingling in the mouth
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
Skin irritations
Swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue
Breathing difficulty
Skin redness
8. Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are especially potent when it comes to food allergens and are most often a lifelong allergy. An allergy to sesame seeds is also particularly difficult to control as the food label does not always specifically say sesame seeds. Other names indicate the presence of sesame seeds; for example, sim sim, benne or gingelly seeds. Both the people suffering from sesame seed allergies and food handlers need to be aware of each different name that can indicate the presence of sesame seeds.
Sesame seeds are tiny and it doesn’t take many to cause and allergic reaction. Some of the symptoms can be:
Skin irritations and rashes
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
Itchy mouth, throat or eyes
Swelling of the face, nose or mouth
Shortness of breath
Anaphylactic reactions – in severe cases
Food Allergies are an important food safety issue
Food allergies should always be treated very seriously and the utmost care must be taken to ensure the risk of any reactions is minimal. Food businesses must clearly outline all ingredients in their dishes and customers should always inform the business if they suffer from a food allergy.
If you think that you or someone else could be suffering from an allergic reaction to any food, seek medical advice immediately.