Do you sneeze a lot? Do your eyes get red and itchy? Are your days spent trying to stop hives from taking over your body? If so, you need to learn what might be causing all that annoying discomfort.
If allergies season has you hiding inside, chances are you’ve wondered what might be the most common cause of allergies. There are lots of things that can trigger an allergic reaction like pollen and pet dander, but there is one particular source that affects more people than any other allergen.
It’s time to learn why this allergen is causing so many issues. In this article, I’ll discuss what the most common cause of allergy is and give some tips on how to avoid it (or at least minimize exposure).
Food Allergy Essentials
Milk
Allergies to milk are extraordinarily common. It is estimated that up to 2.5 percent of the population has an allergic reaction to cow’s milk, and it is one of the most common food allergies in children. In fact, many babies show signs of a dairy allergy as soon as they begin drinking formula or eating solid foods with cow’s milk as an ingredient.
The proteins in cow’s milk seem to cause the most problems for individuals who are allergic to it. If a person experiences an allergic reaction, symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and more—all reactions that mimic those associated with other upper-respiratory illnesses.
If you believe you may have a dairy allergy, it’s important to visit your doctor for proper testing and treatment options. A registered dietitian can also offer guidance on how to structure meals if someone needs to avoid cow’s milk products altogether or restrict certain dietary components due to an allergy.
Egg
One of the most common causes of allergies is eggs. Allergic reactions to eggs can range from mild to severe, depending on the level of sensitivity and the type of egg product that was consumed. Egg allergy is more frequent in children, with seven percent to eight percent of young children having an allergy to eggs. Symptoms may include hives, swelling, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting.
For people who have a severe sensitivity to eggs, it’s important to minimize or completely avoid contact with them. This means avoiding food items such as cake mixes or pastries that contain egg products. Additionally, many medicines or supplements may also contain traces of egg proteins so those too need to be avoided or monitored closely for possible reactions.
Peanut
One of the most common food allergens is peanuts. Peanuts are among the eight major food allergens that account for 90% of all food allergies and cause the majority of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions. Peanut allergy can be especially severe, causing anaphylaxis – a potentially fatal reaction.
People with peanut allergy have an incorrect immune response to certain proteins found in peanuts. Symptoms usually appear within minutes after contact with peanuts, but sometimes it can take up to two hours. Common signs and symptoms include tingling lips and tongue, swelling around the face, hives and rashes over the body, abdominal pain and cramps, and difficulty breathing. People with severe peanut allergies must take extra precautions in avoiding contact with peanuts entirely – this may include reading labels carefully as well as asking restaurant staff about ingredients used in meals they order.
Soy
Soy is one of the most common causes of allergies in both adults and children. The proteins found in soy can trigger an allergic reaction, leading to symptoms such as itchy eyes and skin, as well as respiratory problems. The most serious reactions involve anaphylaxis, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Those who are allergic to soy need to be extremely careful with their diet because soy products hide in many forms including tofu, miso, edamame, tempeh, and hundreds of foods that contain hidden sources of soy. For example, processed meats like hot dogs or hamburgers may have fillers or additives containing soy. People with a soy allergy should always read labels carefully before consuming any food item.
For people with milder allergies, it might be possible to eat small amounts of soy without triggering a reaction. However, for those who have severe allergies, it’s best to avoid all forms of soy entirely. It’s also important that family members know about the allergy and take precautions to help manage exposure risks when texting around someone with a severe allergy.
Wheat
Wheat is one of the most common causes of allergic reactions. People often have a wheat allergy or sensitivity when they consume foods that contain wheat proteins, such as bread, pasta, and cereals. When someone with a wheat allergy or sensitivity eats wheat-containing foods, their body reacts by releasing chemicals such as histamine. This inflammatory reaction can cause symptoms such as hives, rashes, swelling, sneezing, and anaphylaxis in severe cases.
For those who suffer from a wheat allergy or sensitivity, it’s important to avoid consuming wheat and products containing wheat at all costs. Instead, people with a wheat allergy should opt for other grain options like rice, quinoa, and oats if they are necessary for a dish. With careful planning and reading labels, living with a food allergy can still be manageable!
Tree Nut
Tree nuts are among the most common causes of allergies in both children and adults. The major tree nut allergens include almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, and pine nuts. The proteins in these foods can trigger an allergic reaction in people who have a tree nut allergy. Symptoms include skin rashes and hives as well as more serious respiratory symptoms such as difficulty breathing and wheezing. Severe reactions could also cause anaphylactic shock.
Those with a tree nut allergy need to be cautious when eating any kind of food that might contain trace amounts of tree nuts, even if it is not listed as an ingredient on the label. Furthermore, cross-contamination from other foods is also possible in shared kitchens or restaurants where multiple ingredients may come into contact with each other. Therefore it is important for those with allergies to avoid any food that cautions about potential allergen contamination such as “may contain traces of tree nuts”.
Shellfish
Shellfish is one of the most common causes of allergies. Every type of shellfish, including crabs, shrimp, clams, mussels, and oysters contain proteins that trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Shellfish allergy generally occurs after direct contact or ingestion of the food.
Symptoms include hives, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and/or difficulty breathing. More severe reactions can cause anaphylaxis which requires emergency medical care.
It’s important to note that people with a shellfish allergy should also avoid other seafood such as finned fish since cross-reactivity can occur between certain types of fish. It’s best to speak with an allergist and to work out an individualized plan for avoiding foods that may be allergenic to you.
Fish
Fish allergies are one of the most common causes of allergies. Fish are high in protein, which can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. The severity of the reaction will depend on how much fish a person eats and how sensitive their body is to the proteins found in fish. The proteins responsible for triggering a fish allergy are typically found in the skin, gills, scales, and organs of all types of fish, including shellfish.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to eating fish can vary widely from mild symptoms like swelling and itchy eyes to more severe reactions such as hives or difficulty breathing. If you experience any kind of allergy symptoms after eating fish or any other type of seafood, seek medical attention immediately. It’s important to understand that not all types of seafood contain proteins that may trigger an allergic reaction; many types are safe for people who have food allergies.
Sesame
Sesame allergies are pretty common, affecting around 0.2 – 1.3% of adults worldwide. If you’re allergic to sesame, you experience an immune system reaction such as itchy skin, sneezing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing when exposed to sesame seeds or oil from them.
Sesame contains many allergens that trigger different sensitivities in people with food allergies. These allergens are not only found in the actual sesame seed but also in products containing traces of the seed like tahini (a paste made from ground sesame seeds) and certain types of bread and falafels. The proteins contained within the seed can easily become airborne and inhaled.
You should be aware when consuming any food products containing sesame, even if it’s cooked such as roasted or fried foods as well as sauces made with them like hummus or tahini sauces. Reading food labels is crucial to avoid any potential allergy triggers and pay close attention to ingredient lists where they might specify a breakdown of source materials like wheat, nuts, or legumes that contain small amounts of sesame usually under “spices”.
Tips for Avoiding Your Allergen
If you suffer from allergies, avoiding your allergen is the best way to keep symptoms at bay. That may sound easier than it actually is since your allergen might be something common like pollen in the air. But there are some steps that you can take to reduce your contact with a specific allergen and avoid uncomfortable allergy attacks.
First, identify exactly what you are allergic to. Many people who suffer from seasonal allergies think they must stay inside during pollination season, but a visit to an allergist can help pinpoint exactly what types of airborne particles are triggering your reactions. Then, create an action plan—make sure you know how to recognize allergy symptoms so that you can quickly address them when they arise.
Another tip is to clean regularly and try not to track in any pollen or other allergens from outdoors into your home or office space. Consider signing up for weather alerts on high pollen days and aim to minimize outdoor activities during those times if possible. Additionally, make sure your HVAC system’s air filters are changed regularly so as not to spread dust and other particles through the air system within our building. Finally, keep medications handy just in case exposures occur despite your best intentions, and contact an ENT doctor in Philadelphia PA for more information on how to better manage your condition!
