Allergies affect people worldwide, some more deadly than others. About 30% of adults and 40% of children have allergies in the U.S.; with this large number continuing to grow, many lives are affected on a day-to-day basis. There are two categories when classifying allergies: non-food allergens such as bee stings and food allergens such as nuts. Those who have allergies have to be cautious about exposure to items containing their allergies as some allergic reactions are more severe than others. 

Upon the consumption of foods that people are allergic to, many experience abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, headaches, loss of consciousness and in more severe cases, death, if treatment is not given in time. If a severe allergy is involved, they may comes with a price tag. Allergy medicines and epinephrine auto-injectors, known as EpiPens. range from $200 to $600 and need to be regularly purchased due to expiration. 

“I got tested [for allergies and found out] that I have been allergic to peanuts my whole life. So every time I go to a restaurant, [I have to ask] if it is cooked in peanut oil, and they come back [to confirm] or they forget completely. I have to have my epi-pen with me everywhere I go.” said senior Allison Cartmill.

Peanut allergies are considered the most deadly as symptoms start to display just minutes after exposure. Those who consume or are exposed to their allergens experience anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction, if not treated by a doctor or injected with an EpiPens. Deaths due to peanut allergies range from 150-200 people a year. While nut allergies are deadly, a more familiar allergy is just as dangerous. 

“I have to avoid some of my favorite foods when my friends eat them [due to milk allergies]  and [it] restrains me from eating things I want. I always have to avoid getting cheese or milk in my orders and when they mess it up I have to ask them to make it again; it makes eating out a lot harder” said senior Aditi Dubey.

A common allergy is milk, which is an immune response to the proteins in animal milk. A lactose intolerant person does not have the enzyme lactase to metabolize lactose. This is what causes stomach pain and diarrhea after the consumption of milk. After birth, about 65 percent of the human population has a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy. This means that many experience symptoms of food allergies after excessive consumption. 

Gluten allergies are rare but greatly restrict the foods you can consume. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, thus the restriction of eating food items such as bread, pasta, sauce, etc. This restricts people from consuming many food groups 

Although allergies do not affect some on a daily basis, many are forced to live an adjusted lifestyle to avoid allergy attacks through eliminating certain foods from their diet and always carrying medication in case of emergency. While allergies affect many lives, it does not define you as a person. Through safety precautions and watching what to eat, you can live a better lifestyle and enjoy the activities that food allergies restricts you from doing.