If taking a bite out of a peanut-covered pie always makes you feel sick or your skin gets itchy and blotchy afterwards, it's possible that you have food allergy. According to statistics, more than a million people are allergic to a variety of food and that the common culprits behind these allergic reactions are foods with nuts, wheat, soy, egg, milk, and seafood. Medical experts have found out that food allergy occurs when a specific substance found in the food triggers your body to treat that substance as a harmful one (even if it's not) and release antibodies. These antibodies then produce histamine, a chemical that triggers your body to react through itchy hives and an upset stomach. In mild cases, symptoms usually disappear after taking antihistamine. However, prevention is still the best cure so try to avoid eating foods that you're allergic to.

A severe form of food allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, a serious condition that can affect your stomach, lungs, heart, and skin. In situations like this, you definitely need medical help so if you experience breathing difficulty after eating your favorite dessert, have someone bring you to a hospital immediately. Aside from antihistamines, doctors deal with a severe kind of food allergy by using epinephrine.

If you are not sure on what kind of substance triggers your food allergy, visit a doctor for a skin test. In this procedure, small amounts of possible allergens are placed on different areas of your skin. The physician will then observe for any skin reactions such as rashes or hives.

Some people may outgrow their food allergies but for some, they might deal with it for the rest of their lives. To avoid allergic flare-ups, read product labels when buying food. Read the ingredients carefully and see if the product was processed in a facility that also handles foods that could trigger your allergy.