A food allergy is a serious medical condition that affects up to 15 million people in the United States, including 1 in 13 children, according to the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization.
what are food allergies?
A food allergy is an unusual response caused by the body’s immune system when it mistakenly targets a harmless protein as a threat and attacks it. Food allergies can sometimes cause serious illness and even death. Peanuts and tree nuts are the leading causes of dangerous food allergies, which trigger anaphylaxis.
There are eight foods that account for 90 percent of all food-allergy reactions in the U.S. and they include:
Tree Nuts (example: walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews)
Each year, food allergies cause 30,000 cases of anaphylaxis, more than 2,000 hospitalizations and an estimated 150 deaths. So whether you’re newly diagnosed or reviewing facts, understanding the condition and learning to prevent serious reactions is crucial to living a safe, happy and healthy life.