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You must have heard of an allergic reaction from someone around you at least once. Did it make you wonder what an allergy is, what causes it, and whether it needs to be taken seriously? Well, let's understand this with an example.
Imagine having a meal at your favourite restaurant and feeling a sudden swelling in your throat. Out of nowhere, your throat begins to swell. Panic sets in as you realise this isn't just a fluke—it's a peanut allergy turning your world upside down. This dramatic moment underscores the critical importance of understanding common food allergies and the necessity of allergen labelling. Food allergies can be life-threatening and demand immediate action. Please keep reading to uncover the most popular food allergies, the distinct allergies affecting kids and adults, their symptoms, and so much more.
What is a Food Allergy?
Many recent reports show that allergies have become a major concern for the Indian population. It is estimated that around 20-30% of the population is exposed to at least one allergic reaction. But what is a food allergy? An allergy happens when your immune system identifies a substance as harmful and sends signals to defend against it. Thus, food allergy occurs when your body's defence mechanism sees a particular food as a threat and responds to it accordingly. Allergies are common to everyone, be they kids or adults. However, kids are more prone to common allergic reactions to food.
Probable Causes of Food Allergies
Food allergies are your body's attack on an item they see as invader and harmful. This response is a reaction of antibodies usually responsible for identifying a threat and fighting any infection. Here is what causes food allergies and the common allergic reaction to food:
IgE or Immunoglobulin-mediated
This reaction happens when a chemical called Histamine is released from IgE antibodies. Histamine causes the most common allergy symptoms, such as skin infections, breathing problems, and anaphylaxis. It is also the most common allergic reaction to food.
Non-IgE mediated
The non-IgE response occurs because the other parts of the body's defence system act up against a potential threat. With this response, the body develops symptoms like skin rashes or digestion issues.
What are Major Food Allergens?
As mentioned, allergies can be distinct for everyone. Plus, different food items can cause varied allergic reactions. However, FALCPA, Food Allergy Labelling and Consumer Protection Act, 2024, lists eight food items identifying them as major food allergens.²
Here is the list of those eight major food allergens:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Crustacean shellfish
- Tree nuts
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans.
In 2021, the FASTER Act, Food Allergy, Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act, declared sesame to be the ninth major food allergen. This addition was to be made effective from 1st Jan 2023.
Most Common Allergens
Now that you know the basics of allergies and major food allergens, let's delve deeper. Here is a list of a few food allergies that are common in kids and adults:
Cow's Milk
Cow's milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in babies up to 3. However, they will most likely outgrow this allergic response in childhood. The common cow milk allergy symptoms include gastrointestinal concerns like diarrhoea, vomiting, or mild to severe hives.
If you have this allergy, you must be diagnosed immediately with a blood or skin prick test. Additionally, you need to eliminate any cow milk product. You can go for alternative solutions like soy or almond milk.
Egg
Eggs are also a common food allergy found in children and adults.Individuals can be allergic to egg parts, including egg whites and yolk. However, it is commonly found that more people are prone to allergic reactions from egg whites. Most common egg allergy symptoms also include hives. The treatment here is similar to other reactions: eliminating eggs from your diet.
Peanut
One of the other most common food allergies in children is peanut allergy. It affects around 1% of the kids and adult population. What makes these allergies worse is that they may or may not diminish with age and can be a life-long concern. Blood tests and skin pricks are the most common diagnostic methods for allergen detection. It would help if you eliminated peanut consumption strictly. Plus, epinephrine injections are also seen to help in some cases.
Fish
Fish allergies are among the most common food allergies in adults. They can occur at any age and last a lifetime. The most common symptoms of fish allergies include rashes on the skin, nausea, indigestion, vomiting, headaches, and much more. These symptoms can range from mild to severe in different individuals. People struggling with this infection need to avoid all types of fish.
Shellfish
Shellfish allergy is also one of the most common allergies in adults. Symptoms include skin rash, itching in the throat, lip swelling, nausea, breathing difficulties, and more. To avoid shellfish allergies, individuals must avoid all kinds of shellfish, including crab, lobster, etc. Plus, immunotherapy can help.
Uncommon Food Allergens
With a list of major food allergens and common food allergies, it might be a bit easier to recognise these allergies. However, not all food allergens are common, and not paying enough attention to them can worsen your situation. So, here is a list of some uncommon food allergies:
Avocados
You might not know this, but the protein in avocados is very similar to that in latex. Thus, anyone with an allergic response to latex should be cautious about consuming avocados, as they might be a potential food allergen.
Sesame
Individuals struggling with seed allergies like nuts, or peanut allergy can be potential individuals to struggle against sesame seeds too. More than the direct sesame seeds, which you can quickly eliminate from your diet, you need to be cautious of oils and products that use these seeds. So, to ensure the effective elimination of sesame seeds, always read the label before buying a product.
Corn
Corn is another uncommon food allergy. If you are allergic to corn, avoid eating it in any form, raw or soup. The most common symptoms of corn allergy include skin rash, nausea, drop in energy levels, and breathing difficulty.
Wrapping Up!
While it may not always look like it, food allergies can seriously affect your overall health and wellness. Thus, you must be aware of your allergies and avoid consuming items that can cause allergies and make your daily life difficult. This blog aimed to hone down on the most common allergens and some uncommon food allergies.
Although there is no absolute and definite cure for these allergies, you may consult a healthcare provider, and they may assign you suitable medications based on the severity of your allergies. Plus, to always keep yourself protected against such infections and ensure you get effective treatment when needed, it is important to have health insurance coverage. With Care Health Insurance, you can have high-quality treatments against allergies or infections without worrying about their costs.
>> Also Read: Understanding the Symptoms and Treatment for Allergies
Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.
