Myths and Facts About Food Allergies
by Alan S. Peterson, M.D.

Myth #1: Food allergy is very common.

Fact: Although 25% of people think they are allergic to certain foods, studies show that only about 8% of children and 2% of adults have a food allergy.

Myth #2: Most people with food allergies are allergic to strawberries and tomatoes.

Fact: Although people can be allergic to any kind of food, most food allergies are caused by nuts, cow’s milk, eggs, soy, fish, and shellfish.

Myth #3: Some people are allergic to sugar.

Fact: A condition is called a food allergy when the immune system fights against certain protein in a food. This does not happen with sugar and fats.

Myth #4: Milk allergy is very common in adults.

Fact: Milk allergy is much more common in children than in adults. Most children outgrow the allergy by the time they are six years old. Symptoms of milk allergy include hives, vomiting, and breathing problems after eating or drinking a dairy product.

Some adults have problems digesting the sugar in milk. This is called lactose intolerance. It is not a true allergy. Symptoms of lactose intolerance are bloating, cramping, nausea, gas, and diarrhea.

Myth #5: People with food allergies are allergic to many foods.

Fact: Most people with food allergies are allergic to fewer than four foods.

Myth #6: Allergy to food dye is common.

Fact: Natural foods cause the most allergic reactions. Studies have found that some food additives, such as yellow dye #5 and aspartame (Brand name: NutraSweet), cause problems in some people.

Myth #7: Food allergy is either lifelong or it is always outgrown.

Fact: Children usually outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, soybean products and wheat. People usually do not outgrow allergies to nuts, fish and shellfish.

Myth #8: Food allergy is not dangerous.

Fact: Food allergy can be fatal if it is severe enough to cause a reaction called anaphylaxis. This reaction makes it hard for a person to breathe and sometimes shock. Fast treatment with a medicine called epinephrine or adrenalin can save your life. If you or your child has a severe allergy, your doctor might give you a prescription for epinephrine or adrenalin self-injection pens. Your doctor can show you how to use them and tell you when to use them. If your doctor thinks you might need to use this medicine, you will need to carry one with you on your person at all times.

A person having an allergic reaction requiring epinephrine should be taken to the hospital, because the symptoms can start again hours after the epinephrine is taken.

Once a true food allergy is diagnosed, avoid the food that has caused it. If you have an allergy, you must read the labels on all foods that you eat. Your doctor can help you learn how to keep from getting the wrong foods. If your child has food allergies, give the school and other caretaker’s instructions that list which foods to avoid and what to do if the food is accidentally eaten. Eating “out” can be a real problem as combinations of foods can’t always be known with certainty.

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