Nearly 4 Percent of Americans Suffer From Food Allergies

Millions of Americans have had to swear off shellfish, eggs, peanuts or soy to avoid allergic reactions that can range from stomach cramps to life-threatening swelling of the airways, new research shows.

Approximately 4 percent of Americans have a food allergy, with women and Asians the most affected, the study found.

"Recent reports suggest that food allergies are on the rise, with more food allergy-related hospitalizations in the U.S. over the last decade," said lead researcher Dr. Li Zhou. She's with the division of general medicine and primary care at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

The most common allergy was to shellfish, such as shrimp and lobster, Zhou said.

"In addition, 1 in 6 patients with a food allergy or intolerance had a documented anaphylaxis [life-threatening swelling of the airways]," she noted.

Other common food allergies included fruits or vegetables, dairy and peanuts, the researchers found.

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