Over 200,000 emergency room visits every year are caused by allergic reactions to food. An estimated 15 million Americans have some form of food allergy, the symptoms of which can vary from an itchy mouth to potentially deadly anaphylaxis. Other signs of an allergic reaction include rashes, breathing issues, intestinal discomfort, and circulation problems.
"Allergies to anything can occur at any age," says Dr. Scott H. Sicherer, author of Food Allergies: A Complete Guide to Eating When Your Life Depends on It. So when you suspect you are having an allergic reaction to something you ate – even if you've eaten it before without issue – you should talk with your doctor. If you find you aren't sure what is causing an allergy, look to the ten foods listed here. After all, some 90 percent of allergies are caused by just a handful of products – milk, eggs, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy.
Egg allergy is the second most common food allergy in children, but it's one that is often outgrown. People with this allergy are usually only allergic to the whites of an egg – because that's where the protein is – but must avoid eggs completely because whites and yolks can't be perfectly separated. Some vaccines are grown in eggs, so people with egg allergy should consult with their doctor before getting vaccinated.
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