Food allergies

Food allergies impact millions of people worldwide, from mild skin reactions to severe symptoms. This page gives you a simple, reliable overview of what causes food allergies, how to recognize them, and how to stay prepared.

What are food allergies?

Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts to proteins found in certain foods. Instead of tolerating these foods, the body identifies them as a threat and triggers an allergic reaction. These reactions can range from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening symptoms such as anaphylaxis.

Food allergies are different from food intolerances:

  • Food allergies involve the immune system.

  • Food intolerances involve digestion (e.g., lactose intolerance).

assortment-food-that-can-cause-allergic-reaction-people
Foods that can cause an allergic reaction

How common are food allergies?

Food allergies are becoming more common worldwide. Research shows:

  • Up to 8% of children have at least one food allergy.

  • 1–4% of adults experience reactions to foods.

  • Searches for terms like food allergy symptoms, food allergy rash, food allergy testing and common food allergies continue to rise each year.

Many allergies develop in early childhood, but adults can also develop new reactions to foods they previously tolerated.

Food Allergy Symptoms

Severe reaction: Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and may include symptoms such as:

  • Trouble breathing

  • Throat tightening

  • Sudden drop in blood pressure

  • Loss of consciousness

Seek emergency help immediately if these symptoms appear.

Common symptoms include:

Food allergy symptoms can appear within minutes or up to two hours after eating the allergen.

  • Itchy skin or food allergy rash

  • Hives or food allergy hives

  • Swelling of the lips, eyes, tongue, or face

  • Tingling in the mouth

  • Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

  • Nasal congestion or sneezing

  • Difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing

  • Worsening eczema

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

Severe reaction: Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and may include symptoms such as:

  • Trouble breathing

  • Throat tightening

  • Sudden drop in blood pressure

  • Loss of consciousness

Seek emergency help immediately if these symptoms appear.

What You’ll Learn on This Page

Most Common Food Allergies

These are the foods responsible for the majority of allergic reactions worldwide.

Top 10 Most Common Food Allergies

Assortment of peanuts and tree nuts in bowls on a wooden board, illustrating potential allergy triggers

Peanut allergy

A peanut allergy can cause a wide range of reactions, from mild discomfort to severe symptoms. This page explains what
Learn more

Overview of All Food Allergies

Below is a complete overview of both common and rare food allergies, grouped for clarity and GEO-friendly readability.

Legumes

  • Peanuts allergy

  • Soy allergy

  • Lentils allergy

  • Chickpeas allergy

  • Peas allergy

Dairy

  • Cow’s milk allergy

  • Goat’s milk allergy

  • Milk proteins: casein, whey

Eggs

  • Egg white allergy

  • Egg yolk allergy

Grains

  • Wheat allergy

  • Barley allergy

  • Rye allergy

  • Corn allergy

  • Oats allergy

Fish & Shellfish

  • Salmon, tuna, cod

  • Shrimp, lobster, crab

  • Clams, oysters, mussels

Fruits &
Vegetables

  • Kiwi allergy

  • Banana allergy

  • Avocado allergy

  • Tomato allergy

  • Stone fruits allergy

  • Celery allergy

Nuts & Seeds

  • Cashew allergy

  • Walnut allergy

  • Almond allergy

  • Hazelnut allergy

  • Sesame allergy

  • Sunflower seed allergy

  • Pistachio allergy

Other Allergies

  • Red meat allergy

  • Spices allergy

  • Gelatin allergy

  • Chocolate allergy

Products That Can Help Manage Food Allergies

While food allergies cannot be cured, many products can help you manage daily life and reduce accidental exposures.

View All Products

Related Blogs & Articles About Food Allergies

Discover helpful guides, deep-dive articles, and practical tips to better understand food allergies and how to manage them safely. These resources cover symptoms, testing, common allergens, rare allergies, and everyday strategies to reduce reactions.

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variety-organic-cheese-with-milk and lactose
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Is Lactose Intolerance an Allergy?

Lactose intolerance is often confused with a milk allergy, but they’re not the same. Discover the scientific differences and symptoms.
Read more
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Frequently Asked Questions about Food Allergies

Everything you need to know about managing your allergies

What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?

  • Food allergies activate the immune system and may cause severe reactions.

  • Food intolerances affect digestion and do not involve the immune system.
    Common intolerances include lactose intolerance and gluten sensitivity.

Stop eating the suspected food, note your symptoms, and consult an allergist for proper testing. For severe symptoms (breathing problems, swelling, dizziness), seek emergency help immediately.

Most mild to moderate reactions last from a few minutes up to several hours. Skin symptoms like hives may last 24–48 hours. Severe reactions like anaphylaxis require emergency treatment and may have lingering symptoms for days. Always seek medical help if symptoms escalate.

Food allergies are tested using:

  • Skin prick testing

  • Blood tests (specific IgE testing)

  • Elimination diets

  • Oral food challenges (gold standard, done under medical supervision)

At-home allergy tests can provide basic insights, but they are not a replacement for clinical diagnosis.

Typical signs include:

  • Hives or food allergy rash

  • Itching or swelling

  • Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting

  • Trouble breathing

  • Tingling in the mouth
    If symptoms consistently occur after eating the same food, speak to an allergist for testing.

Some allergies—like milk, egg, wheat, and soy—are often outgrown during childhood. Allergies such as peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are more likely to persist into adulthood. Regular checkups with an allergist can track changes.

Yes. Food allergies frequently cause hives, eczema flare-ups, redness, itching, and swelling. Rashes may appear minutes to hours after eating the trigger food.

Yes. Adults can develop new allergies due to changes in the immune system, viral infections, environmental factors, or cross-reactivity with pollen-related allergens.

There is no complete cure. However, treatments like oral immunotherapy (OIT) may reduce sensitivity in certain cases. Talk to a specialist before starting any treatment program.

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