Food allergies and common trigger foods
An allergy is the immune system’s faulty response to a substance or a food item that is generally considered harmless. When one becomes hypersensitive to a substance, it triggers allergic reactions. Among all types of allergies, food allergies are the most common, not only in children but also among adults. Here, we’ll specifically discuss food allergies and the specific foods that cause them.

Food allergy
This type of allergy is developed when some foods trigger an abnormal immune response. The immune system can sometimes recognize good proteins and harmless food as harmful, which instructs the body to produce antibodies and chemicals that cause inflammation. The symptoms commonly include:

• Swelling of the tongue or the mouth or face
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea and diarrhea
• Itchy rashes

Food intolerance, on the other hand, is not the same as food allergy. Food tolerance has nothing to do with the immune system and can impact daily life but is not life-threatening. Food allergies usually last a lifetime, but they can be managed with lifestyle changes and the right medication. The following are the main triggers for these types of allergies:

Cow’s milk
This allergy is very common among babies and children and is pretty severe. Kids experience symptoms like rashes, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, and gut inflammation. They should not be given foods that contain cow’s milk:

• Butter
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Ice cream
• Cream
• Milk powder

Eggs
One of the main triggers of food allergies, eggs may lead to several types of symptoms. Most commonly, it is the egg whites that people are allergic to and not the yolk. Some symptoms that manifest from this allergy are:

• Respiratory problems
• Digestive issues like stomach ache
• Unpleasant skin reactions like hives and rashes

Tree nuts
These types of food allergies are mainly triggered by some nuts and seeds of trees. It can be a life-long condition, and those allergic to a couple of nuts may also have to avoid all other nuts. This is because an allergic reaction to a particular nut increases the risk of developing an allergy to other nuts as well.

Shellfish
Shellfish contain a protein called tropomyosin, which often triggers a seafood allergy. It is often difficult to tell the difference between seafood allergy and an adverse reaction as both have similar symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Even the vapors emitted from cooking shellfish can be a trigger for those who are allergic.

Wheat
In the cases of food allergies, one of the main triggers is gluten, a protein found in wheat, which causes digestive issues, hives, swelling, and rashes. In extreme cases, anaphylaxis can also be expected. Both celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity can be caused by an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. People with this allergy should stay away from foods that contain wheat.