Unfortunately, some people seem to be born with food allergies. Sometimes adults develop allergies out of the blue with no obvious trigger. Many children will outgrow some of their allergies by early adolescence. Some common allergies seen in adults:  dairy, peanuts, wheat, seafood, etc. There are a number of different natural food allergies that people may have. An allergic reaction can produce mild symptoms or even cause death in severe cases. Shell fish, peanuts, and yeast are some of the most common food allergies. A person who eats or even has contact with an ingredient, they are allergic to can experience a wide range of negative side effects.

 

How do you recognize a potential food allergy? Here are the signs: Skin reactions, i.e. hives, visible redness, itching, red ring around the mouth, breathing problems, i.e. wheezing, coughing, breathing loudly, anaphylactic shock, i.e. flushed appearance, sweating, trouble breathing, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

It is important to take the next step and get medical advice if you or a loved one has the signs of a food allergy. Getting tested so you know ahead of time exactly what it is that you are allergic to can also help avoid a potential life threatening situation.

A shellfish allergy is very dangerous, and people may not realize they are even being exposed to shellfish. For mild reactions a dose of Benadryl is helpful in relieving hives and a rash. A person who is known to have asthma should have an inhaler on hand. When dining out, it is best to avoid any menu items that could have been cross contaminated unknowingly with a food that can cause a serious allergic reaction. A menu that has all the ingredients listed is also helpful in determining what is safe to eat. The dangers of eating anything that has been near a known allergen are just as severe as eating the allergen itself. It is important that you educate yourself with as much knowledge as possible so you will be prepared if someone you know has an allergic reaction to something while you are out to dinner, or even at a ballgame, or on a plane.