Food allergy is one of the major types of allergy affecting the human body. People who are allergic to some food items get abnormal allergic reactions and it affects their diet and nutrition plan. Reaction occurring after consuming some of the eatables affects the eating habits of the person, which results in malnutrition and lack of any essential nutrient leads to reduced immunity thereby falling prey to a many other life-threatening diseases. Generally, it is seen that Allergic reactions are caused due to a protein that is present in soy, fish, wheat, egg, milk, peanuts, walnuts and many more, but the allergens vary from people to people and from country to country. A person can get allergic reaction because of any of the allergens present in various food items. However, mainly there are eight types of Common Food Allergies and the name itself suggests the allergic food item:

1) Milk Allergy: It is caused due to milk and other dairy products. The common symptoms of milk intolerance are vomiting, constipation, abdominal cramps, diarrhea etc.

2) Egg Allergy: the allergic reactions are caused due to eggs and especially ‘egg-whites’. Children are more prone to Egg Allergy as compared adults. It can affect the gastrointestinal tract and also the skin.

3) Shellfish Allergy: It is caused due to, as the name suggests, from fish. The immune system finds the fish protein harmful which leads to allergic reactions.

4) Wheat Allergy: is caused due to wheat and it can further lead to skin reactions, congestion and digestion problems

5) Peanut Allergy: It starts from early childhood and the common signs are irritation and other mild symptoms which can further become deadly reactions known as Anaphylaxis.

6) Sea food Allergy

7) Soy Allergy

8) Tree nut Allergy

"These are often referred to as "the big eight" and they account for over 90% of the food allergies in the United States."

Food Allergy symptoms depend upon the different types of Food Allergies. However, the symptoms occur just after a few moments of eating a particular food item you are allergic to. The common signs are:

1) Itching or Tingling in the mouth and difficulty in swallowing

2) Swelling of the lips or hives

3) Wheezing and trouble in breathing

4) Abdominal pain and Problem in digestion like constipation or loose motions

5) Vomiting or nausea

6) Nasal congestion and itching in the throat

7) Diarrhea

8) Fainting of the person or dizziness

9) Rapid pulse or an unusual drop in the pulse rate or Low Blood Pressure

10) Skin rashes and redness of the eyes with irritating itching

Keep this thing under consideration that these symptoms can be mild or severe, but it is life-threatening as the allergens can create havoc in the body. So, make sure that you visit your physician more regularly and take essential precautions.