FACT:The smell/odour of food does not contain protein, which is what causes an allergic reaction. Someone who is allergic to a particular food may feel anxious or uncomfortable if they smell it, but they will not have an allergic reaction.
Smelling a food is different from inhaling airborne proteins, like those that are present in the air by cooking (example, cooking fish or shellfish where the proteins can be found in the steam), the powder of food being blown into the air (like a milk powder), or the food entering the air from crushing/grinding (example, tree nuts).
Bottom line:The smell of a food alone does not cause an allergic reaction. The smell is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are not proteins. To have a reaction, you must be exposed to the protein.
Learn more about smell vs. inhalationhere. Direct ingestion of an allergy-causing food poses the greatest risk for most people with food allergy. Understanding how to avoid contact with a food allergen will helpprevent allergic reactions.
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Medical content reviewed by Dr. Julia Upton, MD, FRCPC, MPH.
Tags: mythbuster
As an expert and enthusiast, I don't have personal experiences or credentials, but I can provide you with the information you need. Let's dive into the concepts discussed in the article you provided.
Understanding Food Allergies and Smell
Food Allergies: A food allergy is an immune response triggered by specific proteins found in certain foods. When someone with a food allergy consumes or comes into direct contact with these proteins, their immune system reacts, leading to allergic symptoms, which can range from mild to severe.
Smell and Allergic Reactions: The article emphasizes that the smell or odor of food alone does not cause an allergic reaction. Smelling a food does not expose a person to the proteins that can trigger an immune response. However, it's worth noting that some individuals with food allergies may experience anxiety or discomfort when they smell a food they are allergic to, even though it doesn't directly cause an allergic reaction.
Differentiating Smell from Inhalation
Inhalation of Airborne Proteins: The article mentions that inhaling airborne proteins can lead to allergic reactions. For example, cooking certain foods like fish or shellfish can release proteins into the steam, which if inhaled by someone with an allergy, may trigger a reaction. Similarly, powders like milk powder being blown into the air or the release of food particles during crushing or grinding (e.g., tree nuts) can also lead to exposure to proteins through inhalation.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): The smell of food is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are not proteins. VOCs are chemicals that can evaporate at room temperature and contribute to the aroma or scent of a food. Although VOCs can be detected by our sense of smell, they do not contain the proteins responsible for triggering allergic reactions.
Prevention and Risk Factors
Direct Ingestion of Allergenic Foods: The article highlights that the greatest risk for most people with food allergies comes from direct ingestion of allergenic foods. Consuming even a small amount of the allergenic protein can lead to an allergic reaction. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals with food allergies to be aware of the foods they are allergic to and take steps to avoid direct ingestion.
Preventing Allergic Reactions: Understanding how to avoid contact with food allergens is essential in preventing allergic reactions. This may involve reading ingredient labels, avoiding cross-contamination, informing others about your food allergies, and carrying emergency medication (such as epinephrine) if prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Mythbusters and Education
Food Allergy Mythbusters: The article encourages education and the sharing of mythbusters to help dispel misconceptions about food allergies. Food Allergy Canada provides a resource where you can find more mythbusters related to food allergies.
If you have any specific food allergy myths you would like to address, you can send your questions to info@foodallergycanada.ca.
Remember, while I can provide information and insights, it's always important to consult with medical professionals or experts for personalized advice or concerns related to specific health conditions or allergies.
FAQs
You can't have an allergic reaction to the smell of food if the food's odor is produced by something other than these proteins. That's why people with peanut allergies who smell peanut butter most likely won't have an allergic reaction.
Can the smell of food cause an allergic reaction in someone with food allergy? ›
Bottom line: The smell of a food alone does not cause an allergic reaction. The smell is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are not proteins. To have a reaction, you must be exposed to the protein. Learn more about smell vs.
Is it true there are only 14 foods that can cause a food allergy or intolerance? ›
The 14 allergens are: celery, cereals containing gluten (such as wheat, barley and oats), crustaceans (such as prawns, crabs and lobsters), eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs (such as mussels and oysters), mustard, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide and sulphites (if the sulphur dioxide and sulphites are at a ...
Which will cause allergies if you inhale them eat them or touch them? ›
Allergic reaction can be provoked by skin contact with poison plants, chemicals and animal scratches, as well as by insect stings. Ingesting or inhaling substances like pollen, animal dander, molds and mildew, dust, nuts and shellfish, may also cause allergic reaction.
Is it true that about 25% of children in childcare settings have a food allergy? ›
Up to 25% of children with food allergies have their first reaction at a childcare or school setting, where foods associated with food allergies such as milk, eggs, and nuts are common.
Can allergic reactions be caused by smell? ›
Headaches and rashes aren't out of the question, either. For some people, these symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction to fragrances, which means their immune system -- the body's defense against germs -- overreacts. But for others, the problems start up because the scent irritates the airways directly.
Can smells cause allergies? ›
Although the goal is to make things smell better, all those smells can also result in headaches, rashes, and other unwanted side effects. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), about 2.5 million Americans have fragrance allergies.
What food causes 90% of food allergies? ›
These eight foods account for 90 percent of food allergic reactions. They are milk, eggs, fish (such as bass, flounder, cod), crustacean shellfish (such as crab, lobster, shrimp), tree nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, pecans), peanuts, wheat and soybeans.
What are 90% of food allergies caused by? ›
Any food may cause an allergic reaction, but 90% of food allergies in children are caused by just 6 common foods or food groups—milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and wheat.
What causes 90% of food allergies? ›
Nine foods cause 90% of food allergic reactions, including cow's milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, soy, fish, shellfish and wheat. Peanut, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, sesame and egg are the most common food allergens in older children and adults.
Avoidance, education and preparedness remain the keys to managing food allergy. While exposure to airborne food allergens (e.g., from cooking vapors) usually does not result in anaphylaxis, it can cause a runny nose and itchy eyes similar to a reaction from coming in contact with pollen.
What is the most common inhaled allergen? ›
Here are some of the most common allergens that trigger asthma:
- Dust mites. These spider-like creatures are too small to see with the naked eye. ...
- Mold. Mold can grow on almost anything when moisture is present. ...
- Animals. ...
- Pollen. ...
- co*ckroaches.
Examples of these inhalant allergens are grass and tree pollen, animal dander, house dust mite and molds. An allergic reaction to one of these substances can manifest itself in nasal congestion, sneezing, sniffling, watery eyes and itching of the eyes, nose and throat.
Why do so many kids have food allergies now? ›
One theory is that the increase in food allergies is due to the “hygiene hypothesis.” This hypothesis suggests that we are so clean these days that our immune systems are not getting the exposure they need to build up immunity. Therefore, when we are exposed to potential allergens, our immune systems overreact.
Why are so many kids getting food allergies? ›
“Use of antibiotics early in life that disrupt the microbiome, vitamin D deficiency, and the age that solid foods are introduced into the diet might all contribute to the risk of developing food allergies.”
Does drinking water help anaphylaxis? ›
It's important to note again however that water can't prevent or interrupt serious allergic reactions. Always follow your doctor's advice and get medical attention immediately if you're experiencing a severe allergic reaction.
Can anaphylaxis be triggered by smell? ›
Purpose of review: Airborne anaphylaxis is a rare disorder defined by the occurrence of anaphylactic reactions to inhaled allergens, which may arise not only in occupational exposure but also in common settings. Foods are the most common cause of airborne anaphylaxis, even organic mixtures scents.
Can smelling an allergen cause anaphylaxis? ›
It is very, very, very, very rare for someone to just inhale it and then actually have an all-out anaphylactic attack.” And while this idea holds for both peanuts and tree nuts, it's important for people who are allergic to seafood to be aware: Reactions without ingestion do occasionally occur, Dr. Kim says.
Can food allergies be airborne? ›
While most food allergy reactions are from ingesting food, breathing in particles of food protein in the air can also cause allergic symptoms.
Why does the smell of food irritate me? ›
Hyperosmia is a heightened sensitivity to smell. It can occur acutely (suddenly) due to conditions like migraine, or chronically (long-term) as a result of certain autoimmune and neurological conditions like epilepsy. 1 Hyperosmia can also be hereditary, but in some cases, it occurs without any clear cause.
