5 Myths About Food Allergies

Benadryl may be used to treat anaphylaxis.
The first-line of treatment for severe or life-threatening allergic reactions should always be Epinephrine, a self-injectable medication. Other medications like Benadryl offer a delayed onset of action and cannot provide immediate relief. It’s recommended that you always carry two epinephrine auto-injectors with you to be sure you have quick access to life-saving medication.

Food allergies are among the most common health conditions in America.
All types of allergies, not those specifically related to food, are one of the most common health conditions, as they affect 1 in 5 Americans.

If you have an egg allergy, you can’t get a flu shot.
While flu vaccines often do contain a small amount of egg protein, the AAAAI directs that flu vaccines may safely be administered to individuals with egg allergies when in an allergist’s or primary care provider’s office. For individuals with particularly strong allergies to egg, there are several flu vaccine options without any egg protein.

Lactose intolerance is the same as a milk allergy.
Lactose intolerance is frequently confused with cow’s milk allergy. A milk allergy is a reaction of the body’s immune system to milk protein and can be life threatening if milk is consumed. Lactose intolerance can create a great deal of discomfort after the consumption of milk or milk products, but it is not typically life-threatening.

The leading food allergy is peanuts.
Peanuts are among the top eight most common food allergens. Among children, peanuts rank third after milk and egg allergies. For adults, they’re the fourth most common allergy behind milk, egg and shellfish.