Most common food allergies in adults

Adult-onset allergy can appear after years of eating a food without symptoms. A reaction may affect the mouth and throat, skin, stomach or breathing. It can be difficult to identify the trigger when a meal contains several ingredients, sauces or cross-contact. Symptoms after food do not prove an allergy; reflux, intolerance and infection can look similar.

Write down the meal, ingredients, timing and symptoms, then arrange a clinical assessment. Avoid the suspected food until you have advice, but do not remove many foods from your diet without support. Allergy testing may be considered alongside your history. Ask restaurants about ingredients and cross-contact, and tell close contacts what to do if a reaction occurs.

Seek emergency help for a tight throat, tongue swelling, wheezing, difficulty breathing, faintness, confusion or rapidly spreading hives with vomiting. This pattern may be anaphylaxis. Follow any prescribed emergency plan immediately while waiting for responders. A first reaction that was mild still warrants medical review because later reactions can be different.

Ask whether the reaction could be allergy or intolerance, whether testing is appropriate, how to avoid hidden ingredients and whether you need written emergency instructions or medication.