Food Allergy: An Overview



People often believe they have a food allergy based on an unpleasant reaction to something they have eaten. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has produced a booklet to educate people on what causes food allergies, how they're diagnosed, and how to treat and prevent allergic reactions to food. The booklet is a useful tool for health managers and other health care providers who work with families in early child care or in the health care setting. To read PDF files, get here.

<a name=></a> Food allergy occurs in 6 to 8 percent of children under the age of 4. Peanuts and tree nuts, such as walnuts, cause most cases of severe food allergic reactions. Currently, the only way to manage food allergies is to avoid the foods that cause reactions and to treat the symptoms caused by allergic reactions. Food Allergy: An Overview» [PDF, 537KB]

Food Allergy: An Overview. DHHS/NIH/NIAID. 2007. English. [PDF, 537KB].

Last Reviewed: December 2008