A food allergy is a response that is caused by the immune system when it mistakenly labels different types of food to be harmful to the body.

Any type of food can cause an allergic reaction, but there are 8 types of foods that cause 90% of the reactions. Those foods are milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish,corn and wheat.

There are many symptoms that can accompany food allergies. They range from annoying, to mild, to life threatening. The list includes:

*Itching

*Swelling on the face, tongue, lips, and around the eyes

* hives

*diarrhea/vomiting

*cramps

*throat irratations like swelling and itching*wheezing

*difficulty breathing

*and in extreme cases anaphylactic shock

Anaphylactic shock is an extreme case and it is defined as a severe allergic reaction that is sudden. It has the potential to be fatal and it can involve various areas of the body. Some of the parts it can affect are the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, and the respiratory system.

A medical professional (such as an allergist), will determine whether the individual should carry epinephrine and will instruct on the proper use.  The information here should not be used as medical advice, always seek the advice and guidance of licensed medical professionals.

 In some cases an allergy can be outgrown. In a recent study it indicates that as many as 20% of children diagnosed with a peanut allergy outgrew it.