Adult food allergies: What you need to know

When it comes to food allergies, there’s plenty of discussion around babies and kids, but adults tend to get left out of the conversation. body+soul dietitian Kate Di Prima busts a few common myths about food allergies.

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When it comes to food allergies, there’s plenty of discussion around babies and kids, but adults tend to get left out of the conversation.

So much so that, in my experience as a dietitian, adults don’t often realise their symptoms are connected to an allergy.

“Can I even get an allergy as an adult?” they ask. Indeed, they can.

Recent US research found that nearly half of adults who have a food allergy developed one after the age of 18.

So what exactly is an allergy?

Adults can develop food allergies.

An allergic reaction happens when your immune system is triggered by something (called an ‘allergen’) and it might show in any number of ways, from swelling and itchy skin to gut discomfort and difficulty breathing.

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Allergens are found in foods as well as things like pollen, house dust mites and pet dander. Other physical reactions to food can be caused by an intolerance, that can be instant or build up in intensity over time.

In Australia, a food allergy affects 1–2 per cent of adults compared to 4–8 per cent of children under five. That figure gets bigger if you take into account food intolerances.

A 2011–2012 ABS study revealed that 17 per cent of Australians aged two years or over reported avoiding a food due to allergy or intolerance. There is such confusion about food allergies and their diagnosis, so here are a few myth busters to help...

1. CAN I DEVELOP A FOOD ALLERGY AS AN ADULT?

YES

Unfortunately, an allergy can occur at any age even if you feel you have been eating the food for your entire life. The body can mount an immune reaction to just about any protein in the diet, however it is still relatively uncommon.

The most common allergenic foods are dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, sesame seeds, wheat and soy.

Adults can become allergic to foods like peanuts later in life.

Research also reveals that adverse reactions to food may occur more frequently in females compared with males, which may be due to hormonal differences, gender-specific behaviour or the intake of medications.

2. IF I HAVE A REACTION TO MILK DO I NEED TO AVOID ALL DAIRY?

NO

A reaction to milk may be an intolerance rather than an allergy. If you suffer symptoms such as bloating, wind, pain or diarrhoea after consuming dairy you may be intolerant to the dairy sugar, known as lactose.

Adults can get allergic reactions to milk.

This is not an allergic reaction involving the immune system.

Check with a healthcare professional specialising in allergies and intolerances to rule out an allergy. You may just need to avoid lactose and choose lactose-free milk and yoghurt however hard cheeses, including tasty, can be enjoyed as they contain little to no lactose.

3. IS THE ONLY TREATMENT FOOD AVOIDANCE?

YES

If you have been diagnosed with a food allergy, your symptoms may be from mild to moderate through to severe.

Symptoms may range from hives and swelling to anaphylaxis involving tightness in your chest or throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

You may be required to carry an EpiPen and yes, you must avoid the trigger food. Check the label on all food packets, take care when buying food when you are out and about and check with restaurants and cafes regarding their use of your trigger food in question.

4. IS IT EASIER TO MANAGE INTOLERANCES THAN ALLERGIES?

NOT ALWAYS

An intolerance to a food doesn’t involve the immune system, and is therefore not life threatening, however people suffering with food intolerances would disagree with the idea that food intolerances aren’t as bad as allergies.

Egg allergies are fairly common.

An allergy can be detected using a number of different methods including the ‘skin prick test’ or a blood test, known as RAST, whereas the only way to diagnose a food intolerance is to remove a food or category of foods and then reintroduce them to see if there is a reaction.

It’s important to do an elimination diet under the supervision of a dietitian or medical practitioner.

There are many symptoms common to allergies and intolerances and the advice of an expert should be sought so that the correct diagnosis is made before treatment is chosen.

5. CAN EXERCISE BRING ON AN ALLERGIC REACTION?

YES

There is a condition known as exercise-induced anaphylaxis, mostly affecting young adults. Symptoms include hives, itchiness, swelling, difficulty breathing, sweating, gut discomfort and nasal congestion. Some people experience symptoms with exercise alone, while others will only do so if allergenic foods are eaten before exercising.

6. IS ‘BRAIN FOG’ A REAL SYMPTOM OF AN ALLERGY?

DEFINITELY

Unfortunately, the experience of ‘brain fog’ is very real for those who suffer from it. The term is used to describe a number of symptoms, including tiredness and the inability to concentrate and function at your best.

The cycle of inflammation and fatigue caused by allergies, including food and other triggers, may end up contributing to this feeling.

Food allergies can trigger ‘brain fog’.

There are chemicals in our foods — both natural and synthetic — that can cause this feeling of mental fatigue.

However, a build up of chemicals from our food is not an allergy, but an intolerance and requires the eye of an experienced healthcare professional, such as a dietitian, to determine the family of chemicals causing the problem.

* For more information about allergies or to find a local specialist, visit allergy.org.au

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON ADULT FOOD ALLERGIES?

In Australian adults, the most common food triggers are peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds and seafood.

Dairy and egg allergies are more commonly diagnosed early in life in babies and children and while some little ones will continue to remain allergic to dairy and eggs into their adult life, many children may gradually grow out of their allergies to these two foods.

Originally published as Adult food allergies: What you need to know