Information From Your Health Care Provider

FOOD ALLERGY

Basic information

description

Food allergy is a reaction of the body's immune system to some foods. Many people think they have a food allergy when it is food intolerance. Intolerance is caused by digestion problems, such as lactose or milk intolerance. A food allergy can cause severe symptoms. Food intolerance symptoms are rarely serious. It is important to know which one you have. Your health care provider can help you with the diagnosis.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Symptoms begin in minutes to 2 hours after eating.
Skin hives, rash (called eczema), itching, redness, and swelling of hands, feet, face, and lips.
Diarrhea, stomach pains, nausea, or vomiting.
Cough, wheezing, or sneezing; runny nose.
Infants may have blood in the stool or colic.

causes

The immune system reacts to certain proteins found in foods. It treats them as harmful to the body and tries to fight them off by releasing chemicals and histamines. This is what starts the allergic symptoms. Why it occurs in some people is unknown.
Just about any food can cause an allergic reaction. Most common are milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts (walnuts and pecans), fish, and shellfish. Chocolate is not a common cause.

risk increases with

People who have other allergy problems.
Having family members who have a food allergy.
Young children. Food allergy is more common.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Food allergy cannot be prevented. A reaction can be prevented once the food causing it is known.
It has not been proven that breast-feeding an infant prevents food allergies later in life. It does help delay the baby's exposure to foods that can cause allergies. Start solid foods at about age six months.

expected outcomes

Infants will often outgrow food allergy by 2 to 4 years.
Adults with food allergy (particularly to milk, fish, shellfish, or nuts) are more likely to have their allergy for many years.
Research is ongoing so new methods for treatment and prevention may become available.

possible complications

None expected as long as the foods are avoided. Rarely, anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening reaction) occurs. Symptoms come on very quickly. They can include those listed above plus trouble breathing, fast heart rate, and loss of consciousness. Seek emergency help.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

For diagnosis, your health care provider will ask questions about your symptoms and your diet, and may include a physical exam. Testing might involve skin and blood allergy tests, a food challenge test, or an elimination diet that you do at home.
Once you know for sure that you have a food allergy, the treatment is to avoid the food or foods involved.
Often, the food allergy is in a young child. Parents will need to discuss the allergy with any people who will be caring for, teaching, or working with the child. They need to know what foods are involved and how to handle a severe reaction if one occurs. Once a child is older, parents can begin to teach the child how to take control of the allergy.
To learn more: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, 11781 Lee Jackson Hwy, Suite 160, Fairfax, VA 22033; (800) 929-4040; website: www.foodallergy.org.

medications

Drugs will not cure a food allergy. Drugs may be prescribed to relieve some of the symptoms such as an antihistamine for itching or rash.
If your food allergy is severe, you should carry a kit with a self-injecting device that contains the drug epinephrine. It can be used if the food is eaten by mistake and a reaction occurs. Know how to use the device. In addition, your family or others need to know how to give the injection if you are unable to do so.

activity

No limits.

diet

Read the food labels carefully on all food products.
Use a food allergy cookbook to help prepare meals.
Ask waiters in restaurants for details about foods and other items on the menu.

notify our office if

You or a family member has symptoms of food allergy or food intolerance.