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What are Some Different Types of Food Allergies?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

Some people are fortunate enough to be able to eat whatever they want. Others must deny themselves certain foods because they have food allergies. A food allergy is an adverse effect that is caused when the body believes that a food is a harmful substance. There are many types of food allergies including reactions to nuts, shellfish, and dairy products.

Not all food allergies exist throughout a person’s lifetime. Some people have food allergies when they are children but outgrow them while they are still young. Other people may not develop their food allergies until they are adults.

Wheat is often associated with food allergies.
Wheat is often associated with food allergies.

Food products often have warnings that indicate that they may contain nuts. Some even indicate that they were prepared or packaged in a place where the food may have come into contact with nuts. This is because nut allergies are fairly common. Some people are allergic to peanuts, while others are allergic to nuts that grow on trees such as cashews and walnuts. Some people may be allergic to both.

Allergies to shellfish, like oysters, are common.
Allergies to shellfish, like oysters, are common.

Millions of people suffer from seafood allergies. This tends to be most common for adults, but can also be found in children. Sufferers with these types of food allergies may be only allergic to fish, or they may be allergic to various types of seafood including shrimp, oysters, and crabs. An allergic reaction can be triggered by consumption, cooking vapors, or handling.

Allergies to tree nuts, like walnuts, are one of the most common types of allergies.
Allergies to tree nuts, like walnuts, are one of the most common types of allergies.

Many people have dairy allergies. These are often displayed as adverse reactions to proteins that are found in milk that is produced by cows. When a person with this type of allergy drinks cow’s milk or eats other dairy products that are made from cow’s milk, she may experience a number of negative reactions such as hives, vomiting, or diarrhea. Many people with dairy allergies use substitute items such as goat’s milk or soy milk.

Soy milk may provide an alternative to those who suffer from dairy allergies, although some people are also allergic to soy.
Soy milk may provide an alternative to those who suffer from dairy allergies, although some people are also allergic to soy.

Although soy can be an alternative for some, it is the cause of problems for others. Some people have soy allergies which means they may not be able to consume products such as soy milk or foods cooked with soy oil. In some cases, however, a person may be allergic to certain soy products but not all of them. For example, miso soup may not produce an allergic reaction because the fermentation process has broken down the proteins that trigger the allergy.

Ingesting a food allergen can sometimes be accompanied by eczema.
Ingesting a food allergen can sometimes be accompanied by eczema.

Other food allergies may be triggered by wheat products. Proteins in wheat such as albumin, globulin, and gluten are often the cause of these problems. People who suffer from such allergies can be affected by consuming wheat products or by inhaling wheat flour. When this happens, a person may experience eczema, vomiting, or asthma.

Discussion Comments

RoyalSpyder
In Senior Seminar, my friend Melissa made a documentary about food allergies that are found around college campuses. It was very interesting, and it was something I hadn't thought about before. Like Viranty said, I think our problem is that we take things for granted.

One thing that surprised me about her documentary is when other students (who were being interviewed), admitted to having food allergies as well. I actually know several of these students on my college campus, and never knew they had any problems. It really shows how some tend to keep their allergies a secret. Honestly, I don't blame them, as a lot of people don't like to be the center of attention.

Viranty

@Chmander - Sometimes, you just have to be honest with others. Besides, they're your friends. If they decide to exclude you because of your allergy, doesn't that mean that they were never your friends in the first place? Honestly though, unless others have similar allergies, I often find that it's hard for them to sympathize. Obviously, there are always exceptions, but as an example, because I don't have an allergies, I don't understand others when they're frustrated about not being able to eat what they want. I guess my problem is that I take things for granted too often. Overall though, my best advice to you is to talk to your friends. Who knows? You might be surprised.

Chmander

I have an allergy to gluten, and it's very frustrating. Often I feel excluded from my friends on campus, and I don't want to burden them. As an example, on some Friday nights, they'll go out for pizza. Usually when they ask me, I lie and make up excuses that I can't come. If I told them that I couldn't come because I'm gluten free, they might look at me differently, and may not even ask me to come the next time they have a get together. In fact, they're not even aware of my allergy. Does anyone have some tips or solutions? What should I do?

RoyalSpyder

I'm surprised that celiac disease wasn't brought up in this article, as that can be very frustrating and difficult to deal with. Granted, I don't have any allergies, but I have a very close friend, Melissa, who can't eat gluten. Often, she doesn't come with us during dinner, because she doesn't want to be excluded from the college cafeteria meals. In my opinion, there should be some gluten free options available in the campus dining halls. I mean, think of it this way - just because you might not have any food allergies doesn't mean that other people aren't allergic. Sometimes, you have to think of people other than yourself.

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    • Wheat is often associated with food allergies.
      Wheat is often associated with food allergies.
    • Allergies to shellfish, like oysters, are common.
      By: M.studio
      Allergies to shellfish, like oysters, are common.
    • Allergies to tree nuts, like walnuts, are one of the most common types of allergies.
      By: dinostock
      Allergies to tree nuts, like walnuts, are one of the most common types of allergies.
    • Soy milk may provide an alternative to those who suffer from dairy allergies, although some people are also allergic to soy.
      By: 3dsguru
      Soy milk may provide an alternative to those who suffer from dairy allergies, although some people are also allergic to soy.
    • Ingesting a food allergen can sometimes be accompanied by eczema.
      By: quayside
      Ingesting a food allergen can sometimes be accompanied by eczema.
    • Food allergies may manifest as hives.
      By: Jürgen Fälchle
      Food allergies may manifest as hives.
    • Those with soy allergies might still be able to eat miso soup thanks to the fermentation process required.
      By: jedi-master
      Those with soy allergies might still be able to eat miso soup thanks to the fermentation process required.
    • A topical cream can be applied to alleviate itchy skin.
      By: picsfive
      A topical cream can be applied to alleviate itchy skin.
    • Allergies to dairy products are common.
      By: lidante
      Allergies to dairy products are common.
    • An allergy to peanuts can be life-threatening, so avoid peanuts in all forms when cooking for or near people with sensitivities.
      By: WimL
      An allergy to peanuts can be life-threatening, so avoid peanuts in all forms when cooking for or near people with sensitivities.