FILE - Nuts and almonds are pictured in a file image dated Jan. 9, 2021. (Photo by Ute Grabowsky/Photothek via Getty Images) CHICAGO - Food allergies are more common among people of color and those in lower income households, compared to their White counterparts and those earning higher salaries, according to newly-published research.
The topic of food allergies has flown under the radar for most racial and ethnic communities, according to the authors behind a new study, published on June 14 in JAMA Open Network.There have been few studies focusing on population-based data of food allergy among racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., the authors said – and most of the previous studies focused on children.Food allergies, in which exposure to certain foods triggers an allergic reaction ranging from mild itching or hives to throat tightening or difficulty breathing, impact an estimated 32 million Americans, according to FARE, a food allergy research and advocacy organization.
In some cases, food allergies can lead to anaphylaxis – a sudden, serious reaction that can cause death.A 13-year-old British boy died from anaphylactic shock after being hit with a piece of cheese his classmate threw at him.