Food Allergies

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Food Allergies: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Wheat Allergies
All the basics of wheat allergies -- wheat allergy symptoms, where to find wheat-free products, and whether "wheat alternative" grains are safe for wheat-free diets.
Shellfish Allergy
Recently diagnosed with a shellfish allergy? Here's all you need to know to get started living with shellfish allergies, from foods containing shellfish to how seafood allergies affect your risk of anaphylaxis to whether people with shellfish allergies can use iodine.
Dairy Allergies
Profile of dairy allergies (milk allergies): all about the prevalence, symptoms, and biochemistry of dairy allergies and lactose intolerance. Includes special concerns for parents of infants with dairy allergies and tips for your dairy-free diet.
Alcohol Allergies/Intolerances
Concerned about alcohol allergies or alcohol intolerances? Learn about how food allergies can affect your ability to drink alcoholic beverages.
Tree Nut Allergies
Do you have a tree nut allergy? Tree nuts include walnuts, cashews, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, chestnuts, and many other familiar nuts that grow on trees. Find out more about the symptoms and management of tree nut allergies.
Egg Allergies
Profile of egg allergies: the causes, symptoms, and treatment of egg allergy, and how to live with egg allergies.
Infant Milk Allergies
Worried about an infant milk allergy? Learn the signs and symptoms of a milk allergy or milk protein intolerance and your alternatives for an elimination diet or hypoallergenic baby formula here.
Fish Allergies
All the basics about fish allergies: Symptoms of fish allergies, what can masquerade as a fish allergy, and foods to avoid in restaurants and grocery stores.
Food Allergy Symptoms
Do you know the signs and symptoms of a food allergy? From hives to eczema, learn about six major symptoms of food allergies here.
Histamine Intolerance
Do you experience "red wine headaches" or has your doctor talked to you about histamine intolerance? Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of histamine intolerance and what to avoid on a histamine-free diet.
Gluten-Free Pasta
All about buying, reading labels for, and what to expect from different kinds of wheat-free pasta and gluten-free pasta
Milk Alternatives
Whether you've got a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance in your family, or you're simply giving up milk for a while as part of an elimination diet, you may find yourself checking out the rows of milk alternatives in the grocery store. Here's a cheat sheet to current dairy alternatives on the market.
Soy Allergy
The basics of soy allergies: soy allergy symptoms, soy allergies and vegetarian families, and how soy allergies affect formula-feeding infants.
Hives and Food Allergies
Hives are a common food allergy symptom. Learn how to recognize hives, common causes of hives, and when to call a doctor.
Eczema and Food Allergies
Can food allergies affect eczema? Find out about eczema, food allergies, and what to expect at your doctor's office.
Elimination Diets
All about elimination diets (exclusion diets): how exclusion diets are used to diagnose allergies, how elimination diets work, and different types of elimination diets (like few foods diets and rare foods diets).
Chocolate Allergy
Some people get sick whenever they eat chocolate, but many people believe chocolate allergies don't exist. Learn the truth about chocolate allergy and the many allergens that can make people sick when they eat chocolate.
RAST Test
A RAST test, or radioallergosorbent test, is a type of blood test used to diagnose allergies. Learn how a RAST test works and what to expect at the doctor's office.
Food Allergy Diagnosis
Five tools your doctor is likely to use to diagnose food allergies --- skin testing, elimination diets, and more.
Sulfite Allergies
Wondering about sulfite allergy? Learn the basics of sulfite allergy -- how sulfites can cause asthma in people with sulfite allergy, which foods are high in sulfites, and how to dine out safely with a sulfite allergy.
Food Allergy Emergencies
Do you know how to treat a food allergy emergency? Find out how to treat anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock). You may save a life!
Hypoallergenic Infant Formula
Hypoallergenic infant formula, like Nutramigen, Neocate, and Alimentum, may be a good choice for babies with food allergies. Learn more about hypoallergenic infant formula here.
Wheat Free Diet
Eating with a wheat allergy? Here's what to avoid on a wheat free diet.
Peanut Butter Substitutes
At a loss to replace peanut butter and jelly in an allergic child's lunchbox? Here are nine ideas for sandwich spreads for kids with peanut allergies.
Anaphylaxis
Learn the definition of anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock).
Common Food Allergies
Find out which are the most common food allergies in the United States.
Tree Nut Allergies and Seeds
Do you have tree nut allergies? Learn whether sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and pumpkin seeds are safe to eat on a tree nut-free diet.
Wheat-Free Recipes
A collection of wheat-free recipes and gluten-free recipes for main dishes, snacks, sides, and more.
Balanced Diet Without Dairy
When you're diagnosed with a milk allergy, you may be concerned about maintaining a healthy dairy-free diet. Dairy allergies need not keep you from a balanced diet! Learn how to eat a nutritious milk-free diet with adequate protein, calcium, and vitamins.
Medication & Airport Security
Learn Department of Transportation regulations for taking allergy medication through airport security, including how to travel with an EpiPen or other injectible epinephrine.
Fried Plantains
How to make fried plantains, a crispy and delicious finger food that can be made without eggs or wheat.
Hives
Definition of hives from your About.com Guide to Food Allergies
Tomato Bruschetta
Bruschetta, a classic Piedmontese recipe, takes advantage of seasonal summer ingredients when topped with tomatoes and basil. It's traditionally made with crusty Italian bread, but because gluten-free bread tastes best toasted, this recipe is a good application for commercial wheat-free breads.
Microwave Spaghetti Squash
Learn how to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave. Includes numerous serving suggestions.
Starches and Low-Protein Flour
There's no perfect substitute for wheat flour for people with wheat allergies or celiac disease. Learn about the different types of wheat-free and gluten-free flour and how they're best used.
Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
Looking for an easy, healthy breakfast? Here's a non-dairy strawberry-banana smoothie recipe.
Is celiac disease an allergy?
Learn the differences between celiac disease or celiac sprue -- an autoimmune disorder -- and food allergy.
Gluten-Free Fried Chicken
Southern-style gluten-free fried chicken? You bet. Here's a wheat-free fried chicken recipe that's also either egg-free or dairy-free.
Gluten Free Diet
Have you been diagnosed with celiac disease? Here are a list of foods to avoid on your gluten free diet.
Prick Tests
Describes the method and purpose of a prick test or scratch test. A prick test is often used by allergists when a patient has clear allergy symptoms but is not certain which food is causing those symptoms (or whether the symptoms are caused by a food at all). They are often used when patients have hives, eczema, or hay fever symptoms.
Dairy-Free Recipes
A collection of dairy-free recipes on the About.com Food Allergies Guidesite.
My Child's School is Nut-free.
Is your child's school or classroom peanut-free this year? Learn how to pack lunches or snacks for peanut- or nut-free schools.
Tempura Batter
Wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free recipe for Japanese tempura batter.
Soy-Free Recipes
A collection of soy-free recipes on the About.com Food Allergies Guidesite.
Peanut Allergy
Basic peanut allergy information, from peanut allergy symptoms and emerging treatments to peanut-free snacks.
Possible Food Allergy Symptoms
Worried about possible food allergy symptoms? Here's when you should go to the doctor for suspected food allergies.
Allergic Reaction
Are you having an allergic reaction? Here's how you can tell and what you should do to treat allergic reactions to food, insect stings, or medication.
Peanut-Free Recipes
A collection of peanut-free recipes on the About.com Food Allergies Guidesite.
Eating Out with Allergies
Eight tips for eating at restaurants with food allergies, from ordering to avoiding cross-contamination
Peanut-Free Baseball Games
Looking to attend a baseball game with a peanut allergy? Here's a directory of peanut-free baseball games.
Angioedema
Curious about angioedema? Learn what angioedema is and some of its causes here.
Cross-Contamination
Definition of Cross Contamination
Asthma and Food Allergies
The link between asthma and food allergies, and what patients with asthma or food allergies can do to keep both conditions well-controlled.
Food Substitutes
Need great food substitutes due to an allergy? Here are cooking substitutes for twenty pantry and refrigerator staples.
Read Labels
Reading food labels can save your life if you have a food allergy. Learn how from your About.com Guide to Food Allergies.
Keep a Food Log
A food log, or food diary, can be an effective tool for diagnosing food intolerances or allergies. Learn how to keep a food log here.
Fish Allergies and Omega-3
What you should know before taking Omega-3 supplements if you have a fish allergy.
Egg-Free Recipes
A collection of egg-free recipes on the About.com Food Allergies Guidesite.
Dairy Allergy Basics
Recently diagnosed with a dairy allergy? Here's a quick-start guide to life with dairy allergies -- what you can and can't eat, plus how to protect your health.
Food Allergies in Schools
Did you know that food allergies are considered a "hidden disability" legally, and that students with food allergies are guaranteed certain protections in public schools? Learn how to work with schools and how to ascertain if your child with a food allergy might need a 504 plan to protect her legal rights.
Food Allergy Treatment
Learn about the treatment of food allergies, how to treat food allergy symptoms, and the basics of allergy emergency treatment.
Lactose Intolerance
Are you lactose intolerant? Do you think you might be? Learn about the signs, symptoms, treatment, and diagnosis of lactose intolerance.
Child Food Allergies
From initial diagnosis to dealing with holidays, here are resources and ideas for parents of infants and children with food allergies.
Food Allergies
An introduction to how the immune system works to cause food allergies.
Oral Allergy Syndrome
Does your mouth tingle after eating apples or melons? You may have oral allergy syndrome. Learn about oral allergy syndrome here.
Milk Allergy: Foods to Avoid
Living with a milk allergy? Learn which foods to avoid on a milk-free diet.
Chain Restaurant
Hints and tips for eating fast food at chain restaurants if you have food allergies. Learn about fast food and food allergies.
Peanut-Free Snacks
Sometimes it's nice to have a special snack, whether because it's been a tough school day or when your kids have a couple of friends over. Here are seven reasonably healthy snacks that fit the bill -- all peanut-free foods, all great for kids, and all easy to make in under ten minutes.
Soy-Free Vegetarian Protein
Can you be a healthy vegetarian or vegan and not eat tofu and other soy foods? Here are eight high-protein vegetarian foods that are great protein sources for soy allergies.
Vodka and Wheat Allergies
If you have celiac disease or a wheat allergy, can you drink vodka? Find out about whether you can drink vodka or other distilled alcohol with a wheat allergy.
Is Coconut a Tree Nut?
Do people with tree nut allergies need to avoid coconuts? Find out whether coconut allergy is a subtype of tree nut allergy.
Recipe Substitutions
When a member of your family is diagnosed with an allergy, you don't have to throw away all your favorite cookbooks, or to ignore every recipe you come across that has a potential allergen. Here's a step-by-step guide to figuring out when substitutions can work, and which potential substitutes will give you the best results.
Food Allergy Prevention
Find out the American Academy of Pediatrics' stance on preventing food allergies by delaying solids and when to introduce allergenic foods to infants and toddlers for food allergy prevention.
Chain Restaurant Allergy Guide
A collection of chain restaurant food allergy guides.
Nut-Free Trail Mix
Most trail mixes have peanuts, almonds, or other nuts. Here's a recipe that's free from peanuts and tree nuts. Happy hiking!
Shopping for Allergy Safe Food
Where can you find allergy safe food for food allergies? From warehouse clubs to health food stores, here's what to expect when you go grocery shopping.
Cranberry Flaxseed Granola
Looking for peanut-free and nut-free granola? Easy peanut-free, nut-free and wheat-free recipe for cranberry and flaxseed granola.
Adult Food Allergy Guide
Adults have different concerns than kids when they're diagnosed with food allergies. Here are nine first steps to take after an adult food allergy diagnosis.
Shrimp Allergies and Seafood
Does a shrimp allergy mean you have to avoid lobster, crab, scallops or other shellfish? Read on to learn about what your shrimp allergy means for seafood in your diet.
Sources of Hidden Allergens
It's not just pollen and mold that can cause allergies -- allergens are often hidden in cosmetics, lotions, medications and even adhesives.
Egg Allergies and Vaccines
Is it safe to be vaccinated if you have egg allergies? Here's the latest word on whether it's safe to receive common immunizations, including flu vaccines and the MMR, if you have an egg allergy.
Eosinophilic Enteropathy
Learn the basics about eosinophilic esophagitis and other forms of eosinophilic enteropathy: signs, symptoms, what to expect at the doctor's office, and resources for coping with restricted diets.
Diagnosing Food Intolerances
Concerned you might have a food intolerance? Learn about five tools your doctor might use for diagnosing a food intolerance or food sensitivity.
Wheat-Free Grains
If you've got a wheat allergy or celiac disease, lesser-known grains can add variety to your diet. Here's an introduction to six less-common grains, plus some great wheat-free and gluten-free recipes for each.
McDonald's Allergy Info
Food allergy information for McDonald's fast food restaurants.
RAST Test Result Numbers
How can I interpret the numbers on my RAST test results?
Cook Without Onions & Garlic
Avoiding onions and garlic due to allergies? Learn the basics of cooking without onions and garlic.
Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes
A lactose-free, dairy-free recipe for a holiday favorite -- mashed potatoes.
Peanut Allergy and Legumes
Learn whether people with a peanut allergy need to avoid legumes like soy, beans and peas.
Outgrowing Food Allergies
Find out whether it's possible for your child to outgrow a food allergy, and how your allergist is likely to monitor your allergic child going forward.
Avoid Cross-Contamination
Even foods made without allergens aren't safe if they've come into contact with allergy-triggering foods. Here's how to avoid cross-contamination at home and in restaurants.
Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free Gravy
How to make basic wheat-free or gluten-free gravy from scratch --- no chicken or turkey required!
Egg Free Diet
Living with an egg allergy? Here's what to avoid on an egg-free diet.
Food Intolerances
Learn about the types, symptoms, and diagnosis of food intolerances.
Tree Nut-Free Recipes
List of tree nut-free recipes on the About.com Food Allergies site
Chipotle Food Allergy Info
Food allergy information for Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Allergy Misdiagnosis
People often get sick after eating and think they have a food allergy. But not all painful symptoms after eating are allergy symptoms. Learn about food allergy misdiagnosis.
Double-Blind Food Challenge
The gold standard for allergy diagnosis is the double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge, a form of oral food challenge. Find out how double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges work and why your doctor might recommend this test.
Celiac Disease
Definition of celiac disease from your About.com Guide to Food Allergies
Hot Millet Breakfast Cereal
Recipe for a hot breakfast cereal using millet, a grain that is less allergenic than most commercial hot cereal mixes on the market.
Allergies vs. Intolerances
Learn the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance and how it affects treatment.
Wheat Allergy Basics
All the basics of life with wheat allergy or celiac disease.
Cranberry Chicken Salad
A simple, quick, allergy-safe recipe for chicken salad with dried cranberries.
Prepare to Fly with Allergies
How to prepare for airline travel with allergies, including severe peanut allergies.
Traveling with Food Allergies
Tips and tricks for traveling, lodging, and going to events and business trips with food allergies and sensitivities.
Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Wheat-free, soy-free, and shellfish-free recipe for spinach-artichoke dip.
Allergy-Safe Mayonnaise
Most commercial mayonnaise is made from high fructose corn syrup and soy-based oils and emulsifiers, which can be problematic for people with certain allergies and sensitivities. Here's a quick and easy recipe that's free from corn, soy, and sulfites.
Allergy Translation Cards
Traveling with food allergies? Consider buying an allergy translation card to make international travel easier.
Using Egg Replacer
Tips on using Egg Replacer in baking.
Vegetarianism and Allergies
Is it possible to have a healthy vegetarian diet if you have food allergies? In all likelihood, yes -- even if you're allergic to soy. Find out what you need to know to balance your vegetarian or vegan diet with food allergies.
Food Allergy Basics
Learning how to live with a food allergy is a process. Here are the first steps -- finding out what's going on with your body, learning about food allergy symptoms and diagnosis, and how to get by on a day-to-day basis with food allergies.
Antihistamine
Definition of antihistamine and examples of common antihistamines.
Guacamole
Easy recipe for guacamole, a favorite dip and excellent sandwich spread for many food allergies.
Easy Red Wine Pan Sauce
An easy red wine pan sauce to serve with steak or chicken.
Wheat-Free Buttermilk Biscuits
Delicious wheat-free, gluten-free, egg-free recipe for buttermilk biscuits.
Shellfish Allergy & Restaurant
Shellfish allergies can make eating at restaurants treacherous. Learn tips for restaurant safety, the easiest kinds of cuisine to eat with a shellfish allergy, and shellfish reaction risks at many types of restaurants.
Probiotics and Allergies
Should you take probiotics to prevent food allergies? Here's the latest research on probiotics and allergies, including food allergies and eczema.
Airline Food Allergy Policies
A collection of food allergy policies and special meal guidelines from major U.S. airlines.
Allergy-Safe Italian Dressing
Recipe for allergy-safe Italian dressing - soy-free, corn-free, wheat-free, MSG-free.
Taco Seasoning
A quick and easy taco recipes that's free from common allergens.
EpiPen/Twinject
User-friendly instructions for common epinephrine autoinjectors EpiPen and Twinject.
Food Allergy Clothing
Why an allergy alert t-shirt might be a good idea for your young child, and where to find food allergy t-shirts and other clothing.
Wheat-Free Play Dough
Did you know that commercial play doughs contain wheat? Find out how to keep your allergic child safe and some substitutes for play at home and at school.
Raspberry Quinoa Salad
Quinoa, a staple food of the Incas, is gaining popularity as a protein-rich, easily digestible grain. Learn how to cook this allergy-friendly grain with a delicious summer salad.
Food Intolerance
Definition of a food intolerance or food sensitivity.
Facts and Myths
How much do you really know about food allergies? Test your knowledge with these 10 food allergy facts and myths.
Histamine
Definition of Histamine from Your About.com Guide to Food Allergies
Almond Extract and Nut Allergy
Is almond extract safe for tree nut allergy? How could that be?
Pay for Your EpiPen
How to pay for your Epipen without Health Insurance
Dairy-Free Potato-Leek Soup
Dairy-free recipe for potato-leek soup.
Children and Food Allergies
It's not possible to prevent food allergies in any particular child, but these best practices from several major physician organizations may help parents decide how to feed children at high risk of food allergies and increase their odds of preventing allergic reactions to food.
Chick-Fil-A Food Allergy Info
Food allergy guide for Chick-Fil-A fast food restaurants.
Wheat-Free Polenta Torte
Recipe for gluten-free polenta torte, a pizza-like vegetable pie with a cornmeal crust.
GFCF Multigrain Pumpkin Muffin
Healthy, tasty, gluten-free, and dairy-free? Believe it. Easy gluten-free and dairy-free recipe for multigrain pumpkin muffins.
Sweet Potato Casserole
A not-too-sweet version of Thanksgiving favorite sweet potato casserole, safe for most common food allergies.
Food Allergy Cooking
The basics to get you started cooking for any food allergy.
Hempmilk Tapioca Pudding
Dairy-free tapioca pudding recipe using hempmilk, a newer non-dairy beverage that works well for desserts.
Mushroom-Sage Risotto
An allergy-safe recipe for mushroom-sage risotto, an Italian rice dish.
Allergy-Safe Cheese Sauce
A satisfying, smooth cheese sauce that relies on neither cornstarch nor eggs nor flour? Believe it. Here's a recipe for gluten-free, corn-free, egg-free cheese sauce.
Chili's Allergy Information
Food Allergy Information for Chili's Restaurants
Communion and Wheat Allergy
Is there a safe way to take Holy Communion if you have a wheat allergy or celiac disease? Several options that have worked for celiacs and wheat allergic Christians of many denominations.
Hummus
Recipe for Hummus, a Middle Eastern spread that makes a good substitute for peanut butter.
Domino's Allergy Information
Food allergy information for Domino's Pizza restaurants.
Broccoli with Vinaigrette
Healthy, allergen-safe, and delicious recipe for broccoli with tangy vinaigrette dressing.
Epinephrine
Epinephrine definition from your About.com Guide to Food Allergies
Allergy-Safe Steak
Most commercial steak sauces include common allergens like soy, wheat, corn, fish, or nuts. Here's an allergy-safe recipe for a flavorful steak without the allergenic extras.
GF Zucchini-Feta Pancakes
Savory gluten-free zucchini-feta crepes - a delicious Greek-inspired vegetarian entree or side dish.
Multiple Food Allergies
Just diagnosed with multiple food allergies? Learn some early coping strategies for managing food allergies to more than one food.
Food Allergies - Recipes
An index of recipes for the Food Allergies guide site.
Allergy-Safe Latkes
Celebrate Hanukkah with these egg-free, wheat- and gluten-free, dairy-free latkes.

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