Food allergies are not the same thing as food poisoning or food intolerance. Food allergies can be more harmful than these two illnesses. Normally, more food allergies are experienced by young children than by adults, although many children overcome this condition during schooling years. Adults however, can experience food allergy even if there is no history of them having experienced such an allergy during their childhood days.

The body reacts incorrectly to some foods that you eat. These foods are mistakenly identified as harmful and as a result the body then produces antibodies. This process is referred to as a sensitization process and at this time symptoms may not be triggered. However, on the second occasion of taking that same food, these antibodies initiate a reaction to it. The reaction generated by the antibodies causes the body system to produce specific chemicals which lead to the manifestation of some physical symptoms identified as the allergic reaction.

The development of food allergy is identified through common some symptoms. Examples of symptoms experienced by patients are as follows:

• coughing

• skin reaction

• red, itchy, and sore eyes

• shortness of breathing

• swelling and/or itching of the mouth, lips, tongue, and the throat

• feeling sick, diarrhea, bloating, and vomiting

• runny nose

• arthritis

• excessive tiredness

There are a variety of causes for food allergy. Common foods that may trigger these allergies are tree nuts such pecans, Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts. Peanuts, cow's milk, shellfish, fish, wheat, soya, and eggs may also trigger food allergies. It is also possible that although diagnosed as allergic to a certain type of food, you may also react to other kinds of similar food. For example, if you have allergy on prawns, there is a possibility that some shellfish can also cause you to have a harmful reaction.

People who go through the discomfort of food allergies will probably spend considerable time in researching the most effective way to treat their case. The only truly effective food allergy treatment however, is to avoid eating the prohibited food. You can request the assistance of a registered dietitian to help identify which food may cause you harm, you so you can remove them from your personal diet list and replace them with alternatives that guarantee your continuous intake of important nutrients. The occurrence of mild allergies to food shows itself through minor indications like a runny nose or rash. This kind of allergy can be managed through antihistamines, although these should only be taken under advice from your doctor.

It is advisable to consult your doctor as soon as you notice symptoms of a food allergy. It is better to be cautious when considering any unusual condition of the body. Some kind of food allergies can cause immediate and severe symptoms and some can even be life threatening, so do not hold back from consulting your doctor. Normally, he will simply ask you to avoid eating specific food, consistent with your allergic symptoms and then maintain a period of observation to check that this works to alleviate the specific allergic condition.