Food allergy or hypersensitivity is an abnormal response of the body to certain food. Food allergies are more common in infants than in older children and adults, probably because the infant's immature digestive tract permits more ready absorption of offending food molecules. Food allergy in children tend disappear with age, but the anaphylactic types manifested in adults do not usually improve over time. Severe allergic reaction in some cases is life-threatening, because it can constrict airways in the lungs and can severely lower blood pressure.

Food allergen is the term use for the protein that triggers allergic reaction. Food proteins are not broken down by cooking or by stomach acid through digestion. These proteins can cross the gastrointestinal lining, travel through the bloodstream and cause allergic reactions throughout the body.

Symptoms of Food Allergies

• Eczema
• Gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhea or abdominal pain
• Itching tongue or mouth
• Severe Itchiness
• Trouble breathing or swallowing

Causes of Food Allergies for Infant and Children: milk, wheat, eggs, fish, and soybean products.

Causes of Food Allergies for Adults:legumes, nuts, sea foods (especially shellfish), and berries, but carbohydrates, fats, food additives and contamination by drugs may be implicated.

Prevention and Treatment for Food Allergies:

• It's important for people who have food allergies to identify then and avoid those offending foods.
• Take antihistamine before eating a meal that may have an ingredient that you have an allergy.
• Be aware of the other terms use in the food that you have an allergy. Example if you are allergic to eggs you should be aware that the other term use for egg in the food label is "albumin."
• If traveling to other country make sure to learn the local term for the food you need to avoid, so that you can ask the restaurant staff to recommend to you a dish that does not contain that ingredient.
• If you have a severe allergic reaction, always carry with you an allergy kit that contain s syringe of epinephrine and antihistamine tablets.