A food allergy is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to a specific food. It can be caused by eating, touching, or even breathing in certain foods. Allergies to food can cause a range of symptoms, including itching, hives, swelling, and trouble breathing. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t even realize that they have a food allergy. It’s why May was designated as Food Allergy Awareness and Action Month.

Essential Facts About Food Allergies

The following are a few essential food allergy facts that you should know about:

1. There are over 32 million Americans with a food allergy.
   
2. One in 13 children in the U.S. have a food allergy. It’s estimated that 40% of these children are allergic to more than one food.
   
3. Some of the common foods that people are allergic to include shellfish (which affects 8.2 million people), milk (which affects 6.1 million people), and peanuts (which affects 6.1 million people).
   
4. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), allergies to food in children have increased by 50% from 1997 to 2011. Additionally, hospitalizations for children having an allergic reaction to food have tripled during this time.
   
5. A food allergy reaction causes somebody to go to the emergency room (ER) every three minutes.
   
6. There is no cure for allergies caused by food. The only effective treatment for anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction, is the drug epinephrine.

Protecting Against a Food Allergy

The best way to protect against food allergies is to avoid problematic foods. As such, individuals who have known allergies should read labels to make sure the products they buy in California do not contain any of their allergens. It’s also important for people with a food allergy to carry medication, such as an epinephrine auto-injector, with them in case of an emergency.

Finally, it’s also important for parents to educate their children about their allergies, as well as how to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis. This knowledge can literally save somebody’s life. For more health awareness information, visit us at The Benefits Store today.