Cereal Allergies

Food allergies are the body reacting to proteins found in specific types of foods. It is important to read packaged food labels because processed foods often contain unexpected hidden ingredients. While any food may cause an allergic reaction in theory, an overwhelming 90 percent of reported allergies are caused by just eight foods. Five of those foods are commonly found in breakfast cereals.

Cereal Grains

• Wheat is the most common grain allergy, but some people react to rye, barley, soy, oats, corn or rice. You can be allergic to more than one type of grain or to more than one ingredient in a cereal. Grain allergies in babies and children are often outgrown by adulthood, but adults can be sensitive.

Nuts, Peanuts and Soy

• Nuts are a common ingredient found in cereals and one of the most common foods people are allergic to. You may be allergic to one type of nut or to several types of nuts. Allergies to tree nuts, like almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts or coconut are common. Peanuts and soy products are also common allergens and are found in many cereals.

Eggs

• You might not expect to find egg proteins in cereal, but in an effort to compete for market share by adding nutritional value to cereals, manufacturers often add unexpected ingredients. Eggs are a common source of extra protein. Eggs are also an ingredient used to make marshmallows.

Symptoms of Cereal Allergies

• Food allergy reactions can range from mildly annoying to severe enough to require a trip to the emergency room. Food allergies can be fatal in rare cases.

  Oral allergy syndrome is a mild reaction usually caused by raw foods. In cereals, the most common oral allergy syndrome trigger is tree nuts. Symptoms include itchy mouth, tongue, lips or ears, and lip swelling. It is not serious and will go away on its own in a few minutes.

  Eosinophilic esophagitis is a more serious reaction. Symptoms vary with age. In infants and toddlers, indications are difficulty feeding, irritability and sometimes poor weight gain. Older children may experience heartburn, vomiting and pain in the belly. Teenagers and adults may experience difficulty swallowing, chest pain and the feeling that food gets stuck in the throat.

  Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction that can result in death without immediate attention. Symptoms are widespread and can begin with tingling, itching or a metallic taste in the mouth and progress to hives, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps or unconsciousness. Symptoms can appear immediately or several hours after eating. Life-threatening reactions get progressively worse over a period of several hours.

Protect Yourself

• Food allergens can't always be avoided, especially when eating out. Get an allergy test if you experience an allergic reaction. The doctor may prescribe a self-injectable epinephrine, commonly called an EpiPen. Carry it at all times and make sure that whomever you dine with knows what to do in case of emergency. Medic alert jewelry or a card in your wallet, pocket or purse noting the allergy is helpful in case you require an ambulance.