Types of food allergy  

Here is a list of common food allergies: 

Dairy allergy is a common food allergy found in infants. Most children grow out of dairy allergy usually after the age of 3. Dairy allergy is not common with adults. Casein protein and whey protein found in cow’s milk, sheep‘s milk and goat’s milk are the major allergen that could trigger an allergic reaction. Symptoms of dairy allergy include hives, eczema, diarrhoea, and rhinitis. Severe reaction to dairy allergy can result in life threatening anaphylaxis shock.

Egg allergy, like dairy allergy is common with children. Most children outgrown their allergy to eggs however there are cases where the allergy remains throughout life. Though it is the egg protein that triggers an allergic reaction, the major allergen are found in  egg white. Symptoms of egg allergy include eczema, hives, swelling, asthma, abdominal cramps and nasal inflammation. Severe reaction to egg allergy can result in life threatening anaphylaxis shock.

Peanut allergy usually starts during childhood and remain throughout life. A tiny amount of peanut can cause a severe allergic reaction and the symptoms usually surface within minutes of exposure to the allergen. Symptoms of peanut allergy include hives, redness, swelling, wheezing, abdominal pain, vomiting and stuffy nose. Severe reaction to peanut allergy can result in life threatening anaphylaxis shock.

Tree nut allergy is very much similar to peanut allergy as it usually starts at childhood and remain in the sufferer throughout life. Tree nut includes Brazil nut, Hazelnut, Walnut and Pecan. An allergic reaction to tree nut occurs when the sufferer comes in contact with tree nut protein either through eating or in some cases, by touching or inhalation of tree nut protein. Symptoms of tree nut allergy include hives, itchiness, swelling, redness, abdominal pain and nausea. Allergic reaction to tree nut can sometimes result in life threatening anaphylaxis shock.

Seafood allergy is commonly found in adult and there is also a higher incidence of allergic reaction to seafood in countries with a higher consumption of seafood. The symptoms of seafood allergy include hives, itchy eyes, and asthma, swelling of lips, face, tongue and throat, asthma, diarrhoea and wheezing. Severe cases of seafood allergy can result in anaphylaxis shock.

Shellfish allergy is very much similar to seafood allergy. The major allergen in shellfish is the muscle protein, tropomyosin, found in the flesh.  Symptoms of shellfish allergy include hives, redness, swelling of lips, face, tongue and throat, wheezing, abdominal pain and dizziness. Severe shellfish allergy can result in life threatening anaphylaxis shock, that is, difficulty in breathing and sudden drop in blood pressure. 

Soy (soya) allergy is not only a common allergy with children; it can also affect some adults. Soy is commonly used as an ingredient in several food products such as sweets, breakfast cereal, drinks, ice cream and margarine. Soy protein is the major allergen causing an allergic reaction to soy and the symptoms include wheezing, asthma, diarrhoea, itching, lethargy, vomiting, fever, conjunctivitis and in some cases, anaphylaxis.

Wheat allergy can affect both children and adults. The protein found in wheat is the major allergen that causes the allergic reaction. The symptoms of wheat allergy include nausea, hives, and difficulty in breathing and in some cases, anaphylaxis.

Rare food allergies There is an observation though not yet proven that some food allergies are more common in places where the food allergen is largely consumed. Some of these rare food allergies are rice allergy which is more common in East Asia, celery allergy in Central Europe and buckwheat flour allergy in Japan. Other types of rare food allergies include allergy to fruit like apple, pineapple, apricot, and plum, corn allergy and red meat allergy.