Food Allergy Summary Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by your body’s immune system. In adults, the foods that most often trigger allergic reactions include fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts, such as walnuts. Problem foods for children can include eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and wheat. The allergic reaction may be mild. In rare cases it can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of food allergy include Itching or swelling in your mouth Vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps and pain Hives or eczema Tightening of the throat and trouble breathing Drop in blood pressure Your health care provider may use a detailed history, elimination diet, and skin and blood tests to diagnose a food allergy. When you have food allergies, you must be prepared to treat an accidental exposure. Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace, and carry an auto-injector device containing epinephrine (adrenaline). You can only prevent the symptoms of food allergy by avoiding the food. After you and your health care provider have identified the foods to which you are sensitive, you must remove them from your diet. NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Diagnosis and Tests Allergy Blood Testing American Association for Clinical Chemistry Allergy Skin Tests Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Allergy Tests: When You Need Them and When You Don’t ABIM Foundation Getting the Facts on Food Allergy Testing American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Reasons to Do Food Challenges National Jewish Health Array Allergy testing – skin Anaphylaxis Food Allergies: Reducing the Risks Food and Drug Administration Food allergy Find an Expert American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Find an Allergist/Immunologist American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Kids with Food Allergies Kids with Food Allergies National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Specifics Anaphylaxis National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Egg Allergy Nemours Foundation Fish Allergy Food Allergy Research & Education Fish Allergy Nemours Foundation Milk Allergy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Milk Allergy Food Allergy Research & Education Other Allergens Food Allergy Research & Education Peanut Allergy Food Allergy Research & Education Peanut Allergy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Shellfish Allergy Food Allergy Research & Education Shellfish Allergy Nemours Foundation Soy Allergy Food Allergy Research & Education Soy Allergy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Tree Nut Allergies Food Allergy Research & Education Wheat Allergy Food Allergy Research & Education Wheat Allergy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Children Asthma and Food Allergies American Academy of Pediatrics Egg Allergy Nemours Foundation Food Allergies Nemours Foundation Going to School with Food Allergies Nemours Foundation Infant Allergies and Food Sensitivities American Academy of Pediatrics Milk Allergy in Infants Nemours Foundation Nut and Peanut Allergy Nemours Foundation Severe Food Allergy Reactions in Kids National Institutes of Health Living With Avoiding Cross-Contact Food Allergy Research & Education Dining Out Food Allergy Research & Education Emotional and Social Issues Food Allergy Research & Education Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Have Food Allergies? 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