Do I Have a Food Allergy?
If you have a food allergy, your immune system overreacts to a specific protein found in that food. Many food allergies are diagnosed in young children, though they may also appear in older children and adults. Many people with environmental allergies also have food allergies. Food allergy reactions can be life-threatening, and can come on suddenly, usually within minutes to a couple of hours after eating the trigger food. Symptoms of a food allergy can include: Hives or red, itchy skin Stuffy or itchy nose, sneezing or itchy, teary eyes Vomiting, stomach cramps or diarrhea Angioedema or swelling In some cases, food allergy can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Signs include: Hoarseness, throat tightness or a lump in the throat Wheezing, chest tightness or trouble breathing Tingling in the hands, feet, lips or scalp Many people who think they are allergic to a food may be intolerant to it. Some of the symptoms of food intolerance and food allergy are similar, bu