How common are life-threatening food allergies?

When allergic reactions to food become a danger

If people are allergic to certain foods, it may even lead to life-threatening reactions. A study should now clarify how many people really suffer from such a dangerous food allergy.

Northwestern University researchers have used their current research to investigate how many people are affected by a life-threatening food allergy. The experts published the results of their study in the English-language journal "JAMA Network Open".

Around six million Germans suffer from a food allergy. Eating certain foods can trigger allergic reactions. In extreme cases, even a life-threatening anaphylactic shock threatens. (Image: airborne77 / fotolia.com)

How widespread are food allergies?

There are many people who believe they are suffering from a dangerous food allergy. The question naturally arises: How many people are really affected by a food allergy that can lead to life-threatening effects? According to the authors of the study, it is estimated that over 26 million adults (over 10 percent) in the US alone suffer from such a life-threatening food allergy. The physicians found that about 19 percent of people in the US expect to be affected by such an allergy to certain foods, although their symptoms do not match a genuine food allergy that can trigger the life-threatening reactions. These results are based on a nationwide representative survey of over 40,000 adults.

Many people only assume being affected by a food allergy

The experts found that about one in ten adults suffers from a food allergy. However, almost twice as many adults believe that they are allergic to certain foods, although the symptoms are more indicative of food intolerance or other diet-related conditions, study author Professor. Ruchi Gupta from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

If you suspect a food allergy, go to a doctor

Before sufferers completely eliminate certain foods from their diet, it is essential to have the appropriate tests and diagnoses done by a doctor, experts suggest. Then, when a food allergy is confirmed, those concerned should be informed about possible hazards and proper management of the allergy, including the detection of anaphylactic reaction and how and when adrenaline is used.

Why are food allergies so common in adults??

The researchers found that only half of adults with a food allergy had a confirmed diagnosis, and less than 25 percent of them said they had an adrenaline regimen. The researchers also found that nearly half of adults with food allergy developed at least one of their food allergies in adulthood. More research is now needed to understand why food allergies are so common in adults and how such allergies can be prevented, says Professor Dr. Gupta.

Which food allergies are widespread?

The most common food allergies involved shellfish (7.2 million people affected in the US), milk (4.7 million), peanuts (4.5 million), tree nuts (3 million), fish (2.2 million), eggs (2 Million), wheat (2 million), soybean (1.5 million) and sesame seeds (0.5 million). (As)