A food allergy is defined as an immune system response.
If you have a food allergy, your immune system recognizes the food protein (allergen) as an invader and produces antibodies to fight it.
The top 8 (most common) allergens in the United States are peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, egg, wheat, soy, shellfish and fish. Though any individual can be allergic to any food.
Food allergy symptoms vary and but can include one or more of the following:
- Tingling in the mouth
- Hives, itching or eczema
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body
- Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
- Anaphylaxis
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