Answer :

Final answer:

The most common food allergens include nuts, shellfish, eggs, grains, and milk, with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. To prevent exposure to allergens, careful management of food intake and environments is needed, alongside carrying emergency medications. Distinguishing food allergies from food intolerances is important for proper management.

Explanation:

Common Food Allergens and Prevention of Exposure

The most common food allergens include nuts, shellfish, eggs, grains, and milk. Food allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly reacts to proteins in these foods as if they were harmful. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, itching, swelling of the lips and mouth, and in severe cases, trouble breathing and anaphylaxis, which requires immediate emergency medical treatment.

To prevent exposure to food allergens, individuals with allergies need to accurately and consistently read food labels, inquire about ingredients when eating out, and avoid cross-contamination during food preparation. Additionally, for school-aged children, schools may implement policies to create allergen-safe zones or activities that do not involve food allergens. Those with severe allergies often carry emergency medications such as epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens).

Understanding the difference between a food allergy and food intolerance is also crucial. A food intolerance usually involves digestive issues and is dose-related, meaning it often depends on the amount of the food consumed. On the other hand, a food allergy can trigger an immune response even with a tiny amount of the allergen.

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Rewritten by : Jeany