A lot of people in our country struggle with allergies and hypersensitivities. It means their bodies react negatively when they come into contact with an allergen like specific foods or dust. The condition can have mild symptoms like hives and lip swelling that one can control easily or severe reactions like shock and fatal respiratory issues that need a visit to the doc. Learning about common allergies is the first step to managing them.
Common allergies in the country
Preventing allergies is always better than going through the hassle of treatment. People with this condition should do their best to recognize and avoid their allergy triggers. Here are some of the most common allergies to know about:
Cow’s milk
It is perhaps the most common and dangerous allergy that little kids and babies develop. Cow milk leads to allergic reactions in two to three percent of babies and toddlers in the nation. But one does not have to worry much because 90% of these little ones outgrow the issue by the time they turn three years old. When down with a cow milk allergy, the child may battle rashes, swelling, hives, and vomiting. In rare cases, it may even lead to a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
Tree nuts
Tree nuts are a yummy and healthy snack, but eating them leads to an allergic reaction in around one percent of our country’s population. Some popular tree nuts one might find in stores are cashews, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and pine nuts. In most cases, people with tree nut allergies cannot enjoy anything with tree nuts. This means they must even say no to some butters and oils. Like cow’s milk, tree nut allergies can be dangerous and lead to anaphylaxis-related death.
Peanuts
Peanuts are tiny nuts that grow under the ground. Many people munch on them as a snack or use them to make other food items like butter. Peanut allergies are very common in our country and can cause reactions that could be fatal. Why these tasty nuts cause an allergy is unknown, but people with a family history of the condition are likelier to develop it.
Shellfish
Shellfish have many proteins that are not harmful. But sometimes, the immune system thinks these proteins are bad for the body, and so it produces compounds to defend itself, leading to an unwanted reaction. Tropomyosin is one of the common proteins in shellfish, which can cause digestive troubles like stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.