2. + Food Allergens Unit 6

3. + 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.

4. + 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.

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

6. + Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction 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 Mild Severe