Here’s a closer look at these food allergens.
Peanuts
Peanut allergies affect patients of all ages. While some children can outgrow their allergy, it’s rare, and most people will need to manage their peanut allergy throughout their life. Peanuts are also one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis.
Milk
A milk allergy is an immune response, and that differs from lactose intolerance. As some symptoms are similar, it’s difficult to determine which is which without testing. Lactose intolerance is a digestive issue with symptoms usually milder than those caused by a reaction to milk. Milk allergies are most likely to affect children and often start in infancy.
Eggs
An egg allergy is one of the most common allergies affecting young children. Typical symptoms of an egg allergy include hives, eczema, swelling, vomiting and stomach pain. Some children outgrow egg allergies by school age, though many carry it into adulthood.
Tree Nuts
A person with a tree nut allergy can be allergic to one or more nuts including walnuts, cashews, pecans and almonds. While tree nuts are distinct from peanuts (a legume), many people experience reactions to both nuts and peanuts.
Shellfish
Shellfish allergies are more common in adults than children and often develop later in life. Individuals can react to various shellfish, including crustaceans like shrimp and crab as well as mollusks like clams and scallops. Even small amounts of shellfish can trigger a serious reaction.
Seeds
Sesame is the most common seed allergy and was officially recognized as a major food allergen in 2023. Reactions to other seeds such as flaxseed and mustard seed can also occur, often through hidden sources like tahini, hummus and baked goods. Symptoms include hives, swelling, stomach cramps, sneezing and itching.