While allergy to pollen or other outdoor sources typically causes a lot of discomfort during spring, summer and fall, food allergy is one condition that knows no season.
Surveys show that approximately one in three adults believe they have a food allergy.
The reality is that true food allergy actually affects less than two percent of adults, or approximately 5 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. People tend to diagnose themselves, believing they have allergic reactions to certain foods or food ingredients. Unfortunately, self-diagnosis of food allergy often leads to unnecessary food restrictions. In some cases, it can be life-threatening because some symptoms that occur after eating may be caused by medical conditions other than food allergy. Therefore, experts urge people to see a board-certified allergist for proper diagnosis of food allergy.