Common Food Allergies—Explained

An increasing number of Americans are faced with food allergies from an early age. Although many outgrow their sensitivities by adolescence, not everyone does. Read on to discover important facts and stats about seven common allergens.

Cow's milk 

Reactions almost always occur by age 1; 80 percent are gone by age 5.

Eggs

Allergy shows up early and usually goes away by age 16. About 66 percent of kids are tolerant by 7.

Peanuts

Allergy appears early, and about 20 percent outgrow it.

Wheat 

Having high IgE antibody levels may make you less likely to outgrow the problem, but 65 percent of sufferers are over wheat allergies by age 12.

Tree nuts

Of people who react, 12 percent are allergic to more than one kind of nut and 63 percent have moderate to severe reactions. Only about 9 percent outgrow it.

Soy

Common in children; about half outgrow the allergy by age 7, 69 percent by age 10.

Seafood 

First symptoms often don't hit until adulthood and are more common in women than men.

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