5 MYTHS ABOUT FOOD ALLERGIES

Many facts about food allergies are misunderstood.

Here is a list of common misconceptions about food allergies along with the corresponding facts.

Myth No.1: Food allergies last a lifetime

Though allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are typically life-long, kids can outgrow allergies to milk, wheat, soy, and egg.

Myth No.2: Food allergy is the same as "intolerance" or "sensitivity."

There are similarities, for sure. Allergy, intolerance, and sensitivity are a little bit like siblings. They all belong to the same "family" of bad reactions to food. But there are big differences. An allergy happens when the immune system, your body's defense against germs, has a reaction to a particular food. It can be mild, like an itchy feeling or hives. Sometimes you get severe symptoms -- called anaphylaxis -- like trouble breathing, a swollen tongue, or dizziness. Food intolerance means your body is missing an enzyme you need to digest some type of food. If you're lactose intolerant, for instance, you don't have enough lactase, an enzyme that lets you digest dairy products. If you're gluten intolerant, you can't process gluten, which is found in some grains including wheat, barley, and rye.What happens if you eat something you're "intolerant" to? You might get some of the same symptoms as a food allergy, but it can't trigger anaphylaxis. Over time, however, this reaction can damage the lining of your small intestine and can keep you from absorbing the nutrients you need from your food. Food sensitivity is different. It is something of a catch-all category for an unpleasant, though not serious, reaction from a food. Think headaches from having too much chocolate or acid reflux triggered by spicy foods.

Myth No. 3: Peanut allergy is the only life-threatening allergy

Any food can cause a serious reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. There are eight foods that cause most reactions: milk, egg, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, swollen lips, vomiting, weakness, and confusion. If your child has a food allergy, download this free emergency care plan to share with people who care for your child.

Myth No. 4: Getting hives means the allergy isn't serious.

The severity of food-induced reactions can vary. If your child had a small patch of hives after eating a food once, he may have a more serious reaction the next time. And keep in mind that kids may describe allergic reactions in different ways—like "My throat feels funny," or "My tongue is hot."

Myth No. 5: Epi-Pens are complicated to use.

An Epi-Pen contains medicine that can save someone's life if they're having a food-induced reaction. It may seem intimidating to use one, but it's actually not—and even if your own kids don't have allergies, knowing how to administer it is important if you children have friends over who carry one or if you work with kids in some capacity. Watch this quick video to learn how: