People with food allergies have an allergic reaction* when they come in contact with certain foods. This happens because their immune system overreacts to the proteins in that food. Eight kinds of food cause most food allergies:  1) Cow Milk, 2) Eggs, 3) Peanuts,           4) Wheat , 5) Soy, 6) Fish, 7) Shellfish, 8) Tree nuts.

Signs of a food allergy include:

• A rash, or red, itchy skin

• Stuffy or itchy nose, sneezing, or itchy and teary eyes

• Vomiting, stomach cramps or diarrhea

• Angioedema or swelling

• Hoarseness, throat tightness or a lump in the throat

• Wheezing, chest tightness or trouble breathing

Some people with food allergies can have a serious reaction called anaphylaxis*. It is common for people and even some healthcare providers to misdiagnose the difference between food allergy and food intolerance. Food allergy can result in a life-threatening allergic reaction. On the other hand, a misdiagnosis could mean that you are unnecessarily limiting what you eat.