A food allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful.

If you have a fish allergy, check with your allergist about being tested with various types of fish.

A food allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. According to recent studies, about 4% of the adult population and 6% to 8% of children in the United States have a food allergy. Allergies can develop at any time of life - even to foods that have been eaten before without problems. Even more people suffer from food intolerance. Avoidance of foods containing the allergen is the only proven treatment for allergies.

Although an individual could be allergic to any food, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, there are eight foods that account for 90% of all food-allergic reactions. These are: milk, egg, peanut, tree nut (walnut, cashew, etc), fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. Reading labels and avoiding high-risk foods are the only ways to prevent an allergic reaction.

Allergic reactions to fish and shellfish are commonly reported in both adults and children. If you have a fish allergy but would like to have fish in your diet, speak with your allergist about the possibility of being tested with various types of fish.