The Allergenic foods Produce food allergies, adverse reactions of the body triggered by the immune system.
While virtually all foods can produce these reactions, most food allergies are caused by 7 foods or food groups.
Symptoms in this type of allergy may be mild or very severe, and may even cause death, although this is rare.
According WHO data , The prevalence of food allergies in adults is 1% to 3%, while in children, it is 4% to 6%.
Then the 7 most allergenic foods, causing most food allergies.
1-Milk
The Allergy to cow's milk Is one of the most frequent in children.
The symptoms can be moderate and manifest at the skin level causing redness of the skin and urticaria, or they can also be severe, causing an anaphylactic reaction.
It is estimated that approximately 2% of children under 3 years of age are allergic to cow's milk.
Virtually all children with this allergy begin to develop symptoms during the first year of life and remain in adulthood.
The intensity of the reaction may vary: some people have severe symptoms by ingesting only a small amount of milk while others only present moderate symptoms when consuming a larger portion.
If your child has allergy to Cow milk , The only way to avoid the symptoms is to avoid the consumption of this food.
It is also very important to read the processed foods Or packaged for the presence of certain milk-specific ingredients, such as casein.
2-egg
Egg allergy is also found among the most common food allergies, especially in the child population.
As in the previous case, the symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe.
Those who suffer from Egg allergy , Should avoid consumption. It is also important to read the labels on processed or packaged foods to identify the presence of certain egg proteins, such as ovalbumin for example.
Vaccine against influenza virus and measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and also contain egg proteins.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Notes that, according to the results of various investigations, vaccines containing egg proteins can be safely administered to allergic patients.
However, if your child or you are allergic to eggs, consult your doctor about the advisability of receiving these vaccines, especially the flu.
3-Fish
Fish is also capable of causing mild allergic reactions (pruritus, urticaria) or severe (anaphylactic shock).
In children, it is the third most common food allergy, after egg and cow's milk. However, approximately 40% of people who are allergic to fish begin to have the first symptoms in adulthood.
As with all food allergies, the only way to avoid the adverse reaction is to avoid fish intake.
Rooster, hake, whiting, salmon, tuna are the species that most frequently cause allergies, although if you are allergic to fish, it is best to avoid eating any species.
4-Seafood
Another of the most frequent food allergies is the allergy to shellfish. Approximately 60% of people begin to develop symptoms in adulthood.
In Spain, seafood allergy accounts for 8% of food allergies.
Shrimp, prawns, crab and lobster are the most allergenic seafood. Fish and seafood belong to totally different kinds of animals, so if you are allergic to one group you will not necessarily be allergic to the other.
There are two kinds of seafood, crustaceans (crab, shrimp, lobster, etc.) and mollusks (oysters, mussels, clams). Allergic reactions to crustaceans are usually the most severe.
5-Peanut
In most cases of peanut allergy the first symptoms occur in children older than three years and tend to persist for life, although it is estimated that 20% of allergic children cease to be in adulthood.
To avoid allergy symptoms, avoid Peanut consumption . In addition, labels of packaged or processed foods should be read very carefully because many of them may contain traces of peanuts.
It should be noted that peanuts are not a dry fruit like hazelnuts or walnuts, but a legume.
So if your child or you are allergic to peanuts, you probably will not have symptoms when eating nuts, but be careful when Eat peas , Beans, lentils or chickpeas, which are also legumes and are a frequent cause of food allergies.
6-Dried Fruits
Undoubtedly, nuts are also among the most allergenic foods.
Their allergens are not altered by heat or digestive processes, which in general causes intense and immediate reactions in allergic persons.
Mild symptoms may include oral or general pruritus, runny nose, sneezing, tearing or redness of the skin.
In severe cases, there may be vomiting, abdominal pain, angioedema and anaphylactic shock.
If you are allergic to nuts (chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, etc.) you should avoid ingestion of course, and also read very carefully the labels of packaged or processed foods, as they may contain traces of these foods.
7-Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
In children under 5, allergy to fresh fruits and vegetables is the fourth most common food allergy, while adults are also a frequent cause of allergies.
Usually the symptoms are oropharyngeal (pruritus buccal), although there may also be potentially serious reactions.
Fruits and vegetables that cause allergies more frequently are apple, bananas, citrus fruits, pineapple, kiwi, potato, tomato and turnip, among others.
So you already know, if you have a food allergy or your child has it, in addition to avoiding the foods that cause the symptoms, be careful when consuming other products that could contain protein or trace thereof.
And what other allergenic food do you know? I am interested in your opinion. Thanks!