General True food allergy affects two to four percent of the general population. This incidence is a little higher in infants and young children. The most common foods that cause allergic symptoms are cows milk, eggs, peanuts, soy beans, nuts, seafood, corn and wheat. Symptoms of a true food allergy include hives, swelling of lips or face, shortness of breath, wheezing and running, itchy eyes and nose. Severe food allergy can sometimes lead to shock-like reactions which can be fatal.
Some adults have symptoms of gas, bloating and diarrhea after eating dairy products.
These may be symptoms of lactose intolerance and not a true allergy to milk. A careful history with skin testing of suspected foods will help identify them. Elimination of these foods from the patient s diet usually helps resolve food allergy symptoms. When a person is stung by a bee, wasp, hornet, yellow jacket or some ants, the insect injects venom into its victim. This venom can cause severe life threatening reactions in certain people who are allergic to it.