Navigating the World of Food Allergies: A Guide for Parents with the 14 most common food allergens

As a parent, it's important to be aware of the different allergens that may affect your child. Here we have gathered a list of 14 of the most common allergens, where they can be found, and the symptoms that may occur when consuming them. This information will help parents to be more aware, especially when introducing any of these foods to their babies. If you notice any symptoms after your child consumes any of these food products, it is important to seek immediate medical advice.

1. Wheat is found in many common foods such as bread, pastries, soups, pasta, sauces, breadcrumbs, sausages, baked peas, and desserts. Consuming wheat can lead to severe abdominal pain and diarrhea for those with celiac disease.
   

2. Shrimp and other crustaceans can be found in delicatessen salads, soups, sauces, paella, bouillabaisse, and fish substitutes such as sashimi or surimi. Consuming shrimp can lead to gastrointestinal problems, swelling of mucous membranes, or even life-threatening conditions.
   

3. Poultry eggs can be found in many foods, including ready meals and baked goods. Symptoms of consuming eggs range from stomach cramps, headaches and diarrhea to severe allergic reactions.
   

4. Fish can be found in many foods, including condiments, sauces, soups, sausages, and spreads. Fish allergies can lead to symptoms such as hives, itching, and difficulty breathing.
   

5. Peanuts are found in many foods, including margarine, bread, cakes, pastries, chocolate cream, cereals, spreads, marinades, ice cream, liqueurs, and flavored coffee. Consuming peanuts can lead to severe allergic symptoms such as respiratory distress or circulatory collapse.
   

6. Soybeans are found in many foods, including sweets, mayonnaise, diet drinks, marinades, coffee whitener, and chewing gum. Consuming soybeans can lead to symptoms such as swollen mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea, or skin rashes.
   

7. Milk and other dairy products can be found in many foods, including cakes, sausages, casseroles, gratin, croquettes, French fries, chips, desserts, cocoa, and wine. Consuming milk can lead to stomach cramps, headaches, and diarrhea for those with lactose intolerance.
   

8. Nuts and nut products can be found in many foods, including bread, cakes, pastries, cooked sausages, yoghurt, cheese, marzipan, granola bars, curries, pesto, dressings, and liqueurs. Consuming nuts can lead to symptoms such as hives, itching, difficulty breathing, or even an allergic shock.
   

9. Celery can be found in many foods, including soup vegetables, spice bread, sausage, meat products, herb cheese, ready meals, broths, spice mixtures, curry, and chips. Consuming celery can lead to symptoms such as skin rashes, digestive problems, asthma, or even an allergic shock.
   

10. Mustard can be found in many foods, including meat products, deli salads, soups, sauces, dressings, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickled vegetables, spice mixes, cheese, and pickles. Consuming mustard can lead to symptoms such as hives, itching, and difficulty breathing.
    

11. Sesame seeds can be found in many foods, including bread, crispbread, sweet and savory pastries, vegetarian dishes, falafel, hummus, salads, marinades, and desserts. Consuming sesame seeds can lead to symptoms such as hives, itching, and difficulty breathing.
    

12. Sulfur dioxide and sulfites are often used as preservatives in food and drink products. They can be found in a variety of items such as fruit preparations, muesli, bread, wine, sauerkraut, fruit juices, soups, sauces, dried fish and potato chips. Some people may experience allergic reactions, such as asthmatic symptoms, after consuming foods that contain sulfur dioxide.
    

13. Lupin is a legume that is often used as a flour or protein source in food products. It can be found in a variety of items such as bread, pastries, pasta, sauces, and even some types of sausages. Lupin allergies are considered to be rare, however, for some people with Lupin allergy, consuming products that contain it can cause symptoms such as skin rashes, stomach cramps, headaches, and breathing difficulties.
    

14. Barley, oats, spelt, and kamut (gluten) are grains that contain a protein called gluten. Gluten is found in many types of grains including wheat, barley, oats, spelt, and kamut. Gluten is used as a binding agent in many food products such as bread, pastries, soups, pasta, sauces, breadcrumbs, sausages, baked peas or desserts. Intolerance to gluten is known as celiac disease and those affected may experience severe abdominal pain and diarrhea.