Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFood Allergies That Cause ItchingCommon Food Skin IrritationsDo I Have a Food Allergy?TreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Food Allergies That Cause Itching
Common Food Skin Irritations
Do I Have a Food Allergy?
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Food allergiesoccur when your body’s immune system mistakenly reacts to a specific food as a dangerous foreign substance. Food allergies are common, affecting 32 million Americans.
A typical allergic reaction to food and other substances is itching. That’s because when the immune system responds to an allergen, it releases a chemical calledhistamine, which frequently causes itching. Sometimes, just touching particular foods can lead to itching.
This article explains common food allergies that cause itching, how to tell if you have a food allergy, and how to treat it.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Common Food Allergies That Cause Itching
Some foods are more prone to cause an allergic reaction than others. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) identifieseight foodsas major food allergens, which account for 90% of food allergies.
In the U.S., a food that contains any of the top eight food allergen ingredients must be clearly labeled with the allergen source.
Soy
Soybeans are a member of the legume family. You’ll find soy in food items like soymilk, tofu, edamame, and miso.
Soy allergiestypically appear in infancy and childhood. Many people outgrow a soy allergy, but some people will be affected their whole lives.
Tree Nuts
Tree nutsare one of the food allergies most commonly linked toanaphylaxis, a potentially deadly allergic reaction.Often, people confuse peanuts with tree nuts, but peanuts are actually in the legume family.
Tree nuts include:
If you have tree nut allergies, you need to avoid whole nuts. In addition, you should look carefully for nuts as an ingredient in processed or prepared foods, and butter and oils.
Itching in the mouth, throat, skin, and eyes is common with tree nut allergies.
Peanuts
Peanut allergiesare so common in children that many classrooms have gone “nut-free” to avoid potentially exposing an allergic child to the allergen. Peanut allergies can be life-threatening, so avoiding peanuts is critical if you are allergic.
Research has found that peanut allergens can remain present on table surfaces for 110 days.
Children with severe eczema or egg allergies are at increased risk of developing peanut allergies.
Peanut allergies have a range of symptoms, including hives. Due to the potential for severe allergic reactions, your healthcare provider may prescribeepinephrineif you have a peanut allergy. Epinephrine is a synthetic form of adrenaline (a stress hormone), which you take via anEpiPeninjection to stop a severe allergic reaction.
Shellfish
Shellfish include crustaceans like crab, lobster, and shrimp. They also include mollusks like clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops. Unfortunately,shellfish allergiesalso tend to be severe and can result in life-threatening reactions.
About 2% of Americans have a shellfish allergy. This allergy tends to first occur in adulthood, and it tends to be lifelong when it happens.
Skin reactions to shellfish can include hives. People with shellfish allergies need to be careful aboutcross-contamination, especially when eating out. Be sure to tell your server if you have a shellfish allergy (or any other food allergy) so that the kitchen can take precautions.
Wheat
Wheat allergies are sometimes confused withceliac disease, which is anautoimmune diseasethat affects the small intestine. In a wheat allergy, a person is allergic to the protein found in wheat.
Because wheat is such a common ingredient in prepared and processed foods, be sure to read labels carefully. Foods with wheat include:
People with asthma oreczemaare more prone to developing an allergy to wheat.As with other food allergies, hives are a common symptom.
Cow’s Milk
Amilk allergyis not the same thing as lactose intolerance. A milk allergy is when you are allergic to the protein in milk, whereas lactose intolerance is the inability to process the sugarlactose.
Milk is in dairy products, including:
Like wheat, cow’s milk is in many prepared and processed foods, so read product labels carefully.
Eggs
The protein in eggs triggersegg allergies. People can be only allergic to specific parts of the egg, like the egg white or the yolk. However, if you have an egg allergy, it’s best to avoid eggs entirely.
Like other food allergies, eggs may result in hives, among other allergic reactions. Egg allergies may also be severe.
New or Ongoing Egg Allergy Symptoms
Eggs and VaccinesCertainvaccinesmay pose a risk if you have an egg allergy because they contain small amounts of egg protein.Therefore, talk to a healthcare provider about your allergy before receiving vaccines, as some of them have egg-free alternatives for people with allergies.
Eggs and Vaccines
Certainvaccinesmay pose a risk if you have an egg allergy because they contain small amounts of egg protein.Therefore, talk to a healthcare provider about your allergy before receiving vaccines, as some of them have egg-free alternatives for people with allergies.
Finned Fish
A finnedfish allergyis not the same as a shellfish allergy. Therefore, it is possible to have one and not the other.
Finned fish include:
In addition to avoiding fish, you should also be careful about food items derived from fish. These include things like caviar, omega-3 supplements, and gelatin.
How Eczema and Food Allergies Are Linked
Some foods are more likely to result incontact dermatitis(skin itching and rash).
Tomatoes
Tomato allergies commonly cause itching and hives. Sometimes, though, a strange phenomenon known asoral allergy syndrome(OAS) may be responsible for your itchy mouth and skin after you eat a tomato.
What Is Oral Allergy Syndrome?OAS is cross-reacting allergens found in pollen and some food plants.
What Is Oral Allergy Syndrome?
OAS is cross-reacting allergens found in pollen and some food plants.
In the case of tomatoes, your immune system may identify interacting grass pollen in similar tomato proteins and react to it.
Tomato Allergies: Symptoms, Foods to Avoid, and How to Manage
Citrus Fruits
Citrus allergiescommonly result in the skin, mouth, tongue, and lips itching. Citrus, like tomatoes, is associated with OAS and grass pollen, in particular. They can also cause contact-based skin reactions in some people.
Common Foods that Trigger Oral Allergy Syndrome
Foods With Nickel
While jewelry most commonly comes to mind when you think ofnickel, you can also find it in some foods. Foods that are higher in nickel include:
A skin rash on the hands has been associated with dietary nickel allergies.
Spices
Allergies to spicescan result in itching and skin rashes.Some can cause a rash when they make contact with the skin. They can also result in mouth itching, primarily due to OAS.
You ingest many food combinations, so pinpointing which ingredient or food item is causing your symptoms can be tricky. It often takes a bit of detective work.
Your healthcare provider may ask you to keep afood diary. This process involves tracking everything you eat and noting any symptoms. Doing so can sometimes help you see a pattern of symptoms that correlate with certain foods.
In addition, anelimination diet, where you eliminate certain suspect foods to see if your symptoms improve, may also narrow down the culprits.
Finally, your healthcare provider may suggestallergy testingto determine your allergy. These may include skin tests or blood tests.
Food Allergy or Food Sensitivity?Food sensitivities are not the same as food allergies. Food sensitivities (also called intolerances) are reactions to food that do not involve the immune system. Typical examples arelactose intoleranceorgluten sensitivity. Reactions to sensitivities tend to be milder and involve digestive upset.
Food Allergy or Food Sensitivity?
Food sensitivities are not the same as food allergies. Food sensitivities (also called intolerances) are reactions to food that do not involve the immune system. Typical examples arelactose intoleranceorgluten sensitivity. Reactions to sensitivities tend to be milder and involve digestive upset.
As with all allergies, avoiding the allergen is the first line of treatment. Avoiding allergens is especially critical for food allergies since some can be severe.
Food allergy treatmentincludes:
What Are My Allergy Treatment Options?
Summary
Food allergies commonly cause itchy skin rashes. Treatment primarily consists in avoiding the foods to which you are allergic. However, if you accidentally contact a food allergen, antihistamines may help, especially with itching. If you have had a severe allergic reaction or a healthcare provider thinks you may be at risk of one, they will likely prescribe an EpiPen for use in an emergency.
A Word From Verywell
Since food allergies can be severe, it’s essential to pay attention to any skin rash you think may be related to a food allergy. Keeping a food diary and noting any symptoms alongside the food you eat can be an excellent way to pinpoint which foods may be causing your trouble. A healthcare provider might also suggest skin prick tests or blood tests to definitively diagnose your allergies.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIf you experience itching after eating, you are likely reacting to something you ate. Keeping a food diary may help you determine what is causing your itching.Since sugar naturally occurs in some foods and is added to many foods, it can be easy to overdo it. Too much sugar can trigger eczema flare-ups in some people. In addition, some people have a sugar allergy or intolerance, which can cause itching.Learn MoreSugar Intolerance or Allergy
If you experience itching after eating, you are likely reacting to something you ate. Keeping a food diary may help you determine what is causing your itching.
Since sugar naturally occurs in some foods and is added to many foods, it can be easy to overdo it. Too much sugar can trigger eczema flare-ups in some people. In addition, some people have a sugar allergy or intolerance, which can cause itching.Learn MoreSugar Intolerance or Allergy
Since sugar naturally occurs in some foods and is added to many foods, it can be easy to overdo it. Too much sugar can trigger eczema flare-ups in some people. In addition, some people have a sugar allergy or intolerance, which can cause itching.
Learn MoreSugar Intolerance or Allergy
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Food allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Soy: overview.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Tree nut: overview.Watson WT, Woodrow A, Stadnyk AW.Persistence of peanut allergen on a table surface.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2013;9(1):7. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-9-7American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Peanut: overview.Food Allergy Research and Education.Shellfish allergy.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Wheat: overview.Flom JD, Sicherer SH.Epidemiology of cow’s milk allergy.Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1051. doi: 10.3390/nu11051051American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Egg: overview.Chung EH.Vaccine allergies.Clin Exp Vaccine Res. 2014;3(1):50-57. doi:10.7774/cevr.2014.3.1.50Katta R, Schlichte M.Diet and dermatitis: food triggers.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):30-36.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome: overview.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Can spices cause allergic reactions?American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy testing and diagnosis: overview.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Food allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Soy: overview.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Tree nut: overview.Watson WT, Woodrow A, Stadnyk AW.Persistence of peanut allergen on a table surface.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2013;9(1):7. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-9-7American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Peanut: overview.Food Allergy Research and Education.Shellfish allergy.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Wheat: overview.Flom JD, Sicherer SH.Epidemiology of cow’s milk allergy.Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1051. doi: 10.3390/nu11051051American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Egg: overview.Chung EH.Vaccine allergies.Clin Exp Vaccine Res. 2014;3(1):50-57. doi:10.7774/cevr.2014.3.1.50Katta R, Schlichte M.Diet and dermatitis: food triggers.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):30-36.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome: overview.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Can spices cause allergic reactions?American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy testing and diagnosis: overview.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Food allergies.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Soy: overview.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Tree nut: overview.Watson WT, Woodrow A, Stadnyk AW.Persistence of peanut allergen on a table surface.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2013;9(1):7. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-9-7American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Peanut: overview.Food Allergy Research and Education.Shellfish allergy.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Wheat: overview.Flom JD, Sicherer SH.Epidemiology of cow’s milk allergy.Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1051. doi: 10.3390/nu11051051American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Egg: overview.Chung EH.Vaccine allergies.Clin Exp Vaccine Res. 2014;3(1):50-57. doi:10.7774/cevr.2014.3.1.50Katta R, Schlichte M.Diet and dermatitis: food triggers.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):30-36.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome: overview.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Can spices cause allergic reactions?American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy testing and diagnosis: overview.
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American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Soy: overview.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Tree nut: overview.
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American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Peanut: overview.
Food Allergy Research and Education.Shellfish allergy.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Wheat: overview.
Flom JD, Sicherer SH.Epidemiology of cow’s milk allergy.Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1051. doi: 10.3390/nu11051051
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Egg: overview.
Chung EH.Vaccine allergies.Clin Exp Vaccine Res. 2014;3(1):50-57. doi:10.7774/cevr.2014.3.1.50
Katta R, Schlichte M.Diet and dermatitis: food triggers.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):30-36.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome: overview.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Can spices cause allergic reactions?
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy testing and diagnosis: overview.
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