

Research is currently looking at ways to desensitise some food allergens, such as peanuts and milk, but this is not an established treatment in the NHS. The best way of preventing an allergic reaction is to identify the food that causes the allergy and avoid it. The Allergy UK website has more information. Oral allergy syndrome generally doesn't cause severe symptoms, and it's possible to deactivate the allergens by thoroughly cooking any fruit and vegetables. Oral allergy syndrome is caused by allergy antibodies mistaking certain proteins in fresh fruits, nuts or vegetables for pollen. Some people experience itchiness in their mouth and throat, sometimes with mild swelling, immediately after eating fresh fruit or vegetables.

Oral allergy syndrome (pollen-food syndrome) Read more information about the symptoms of a food allergy. mixed IgE and non-IgE-mediated food allergies – some people may experience symptoms from both types.This type of allergy is often difficult to diagnose as symptoms take much longer to develop (up to several hours). non-IgE-mediated food allergy – these allergic reactions aren't caused by immunoglobulin E, but by other cells in the immune system.There's a greater risk of anaphylaxis with this type of allergy. Symptoms occur a few seconds or minutes after eating. IgE-mediated food allergy – the most common type, triggered by the immune system producing an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE).Types of food allergiesįood allergies are divided into three types, depending on symptoms and when they occur. Read more information about the causes and risk factors for food allergies. It's still unknown why people develop allergies to food, although they often have other allergic conditions, such as asthma, hay fever and eczema. The worse the child's eczema and the earlier it started, the more likely they are to have a food allergy. Most children that have a food allergy will have experienced eczema during infancy. It's these chemicals that cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction.Īlmost any food can cause an allergic reaction, but there are certain foods that are responsible for most food allergies.įoods that most commonly cause an allergic reaction are: What causes food allergies?įood allergies happen when the immune system – the body's defence against infection – mistakenly treats proteins found in food as a threat.Īs a result, a number of chemicals are released. In the most serious cases, a person has a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which can be life threatening.Ĭall 999 if you think someone has the symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as:Īsk for an ambulance and tell the operator you think the person is having a severe allergic reaction. Read more about the symptoms of food allergies. swelling of the face, around the eyes, lips, tongue and roof of the mouth (angioedema).a raised itchy red rash ( urticaria, or "hives").an itchy sensation inside the mouth, throat or ears.Symptoms of a food allergy can affect different areas of the body at the same time. Although allergic reactions are often mild, they can be very serious. A food allergy is when the body's immune system reacts unusually to specific foods.
