What are the symptoms of food allergy?

A food allergy is an immune reaction to a particular food. Symptoms may affect more than one body system: the skin can become itchy or develop raised hives, while the lips, tongue or face may swell. Mouth or throat itching, coughing, wheezing, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea can also occur. Symptoms may begin soon after exposure, but timing can vary.

A mild-looking symptom can change quickly. A reaction involving breathing, swallowing, voice changes, faintness or widespread symptoms may be anaphylaxis, which requires emergency treatment.

Stop eating the suspected food and note what was eaten, how much, and when symptoms began. Do not deliberately retry the food to test it. Arrange medical review for a first reaction or repeated symptoms; allergy testing may help identify the trigger and guide an avoidance plan. If you have a prescribed emergency medicine, use it according to your clinician’s instructions.

Call emergency services immediately for difficulty breathing, throat or tongue swelling, trouble swallowing, collapse, severe dizziness, or symptoms affecting several body systems. Do not wait to see whether the reaction improves. Anaphylaxis is an emergency and needs rapid treatment.

Ask which foods should be avoided, whether testing is suitable, how to read ingredient labels, and what your personal emergency plan should include. Ask when family, school or workplace contacts should be told.