What are Food Allergies?

A food allergy is when the immune system mistakes a food as dangerous or harmful and reacts to it with physical symptoms such as itchiness, vomiting or trouble breathing.

In the UK, the top 14 food allergens that are recognised as the most common ingredients that can cause allergic reactions are: 

·       celery, 

·       cereals containing gluten

·       crustaceans

·       eggs, 

·       fish, 

·       lupin, 

·       milk, 

·       molluscs

·       mustard, 

·       peanuts, 

·       sesame, 

·       soya,

·       sulphur dioxide(sometimes known as sulphites) and 

·       tree nuts (such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia nuts).

Here are 5 facts that take many people by surprise:

·       It is possible to be allergic to any food.

·       It is possible to develop allergies at any age.

·       Food allergies are different from food intolerances

·       Allergic reactions can happen within minutes to hours of exposure

·       Food allergy symptoms can vary widely from person to person and can range from mild to severe. 

Daniella Doon-Joseph is BABCP accredited Cognitive Behaviour Therapist and an allergy mum herself. She specializes in maternal mental health and helping allergy parents to navigate the anxiety and overwhelm of living with food allergies.

Wherever you are on your journey, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to book a free consultation.