1. Food Allergens
Unit 6

2. What is a Food Allergy?
An allergy occurs when the body’s natural defenses overreact to exposure to a particular substance, treating it as an invader and sending out chemicals to defend against it.
Food allergy is an abnormal response to food, triggered by the body’s immune system.

3. Although nearly any food is capable of causing an allergic reaction, only eight foods account for 90% of all food- allergic reactions in the United States.
Allergic reaction is also known as anaphylaxis.

4. Eight Allergens
Peanut
Tree nuts
Milk
Eggs
Wheat
Soy
Fish
Shellfish

5. Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction
Severe
Mild
Hives
Eczema
Itchy mouth or ear canal
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Nasal congestion or runny nose
Sneezing
Odd taste in the mouth
Uterine contractions
Obstructive or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
Trouble swallowing
Shortness of breath
Turning blue
Drop in blood pressure (feeling faint, confused, weak)
Loss of consciousness
Chest pain
A weak pulse