Food allergies: Common allergies, what to avoid and symptoms

• Common food allergies include; peanuts, milk, eggs, shellfish and wheat
• If you are experiencing serious symptoms, you should call 999
• Guidance includes; foods to avoid, mild symptoms and more

An allergy to food can cause mild symptoms to a life-threatening reaction.

While some may be aware of the foods they are allergic to, others may not be and it is incredibly important to look out for symptoms.

If you feel like you are having a serious allergic reaction to food, you should immediately call 999.

The NHS have shared symptoms in which you call 999 if you are experiencing:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

Here we have compiled a list of the most common food allergies, what you should avoid and symptoms to look out for - according to the NHS.

Common food allergens:

• Peanuts
• Eggs
• Milk
• Shellfish
• Wheat

While the above are the most common food allergens, you can be allergic to any type of food.

Foods to avoid:

If you’re allergic to peanuts, you should avoid food containing peanuts such as chocolate, peanut butter, and certain international food cuisines.

For those with an intolerance to eggs, you should avoid foods which may contain eggs such as baked goods. The same goes for milk, which is usually included in chocolate, cheese, yoghurt, and ice cream.

Shellfish is usually found in seafood-based dishes, sushi, sauces, and paella.

For wheat, it can be found in the likes of bread, cereal, pasta, cakes, and crackers.

It is incredibly important to check the ingredients label if you think you have a food allergy.

Mild symptoms:

• feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• itchy skin or a raised rash (hives)
• swelling of the lips, face and eyes (angioedema)
• coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, noisy breathing or a hoarse voice
• sneezing or an itchy, runny or blocked nose
• feeling sick or being sick
• tummy pain
• diarrhoea

It is worth noting that a food allergy is different to a food intolerance. A food intolerance can lead to stomach pain, but a food allergy is more serious and can be fatal.

Symptoms of a food allergy may occur directly after eating the food, but can also occur a few days later.

You can speak to your GP about being tested for a food allergy, and can be prescribed treatments and emergency medicine such as an EpiPen.

If you think you have a food allergy, it is important to check labels for ingredients. You should also inform restaurants, school or workplace, and airlines before you fly about your allergy.

For more information, please check the NHS guidance for food allergies.

For more food advice, you can read our story on ‘what not to pack in your child’s packed lunch’, here.