What do peanuts, shrimp, and eggs, have in common?—On the surface, nothing much. But all of the above, it turns out, are common causes of food allergies. About 15 million Americans are allergic to food, with miserable symptoms that range from hives and rashes to runny noses, dripping eyes, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, and even the very worst case scenario—anaphylaxis and death.

About 90 percent of these allergies are reactions to just eight foods. The chief culprits are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. One out of every 13 kids has a food allergy—an average of two per classroom nationwide. Many grow out of their milk, egg, and soy allergies, which are often history by the