Food Allergy Flashcards
What are food allergies?
An abnormal immunological response to food
What happens in food allergy?
There is a pathological immune response to a specific food protein
What antibody is the usual mediator for an allergic reaction to food?
IgE
What is a primary food allergy?
Where children react on first exposure
Are food allergies most commonly primary or secondary?
Primary
What are secondary food allergies most commonly associated with?
Cross-reactivity between proteins on fresh fruit/veg/nuts and those in pollen
What do non-IgE mediated food allergies invovle?
GI disturbance, typically hours after ingestion
What is a non-immunological hypersensitivity to food called?
Intolerance
What are the most common allergies in infants?
- Milk
- Egg
- Peanut
What are the most common allergies in older children?
- Peanut
- Tree nut
- Fish
- Shellfish
What are the risk factors for developing food allergies?
- Family history
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Obesity
- Hygiene hypothesis
What are the symptoms of IgE mediated food allergies?
- Urticaria
- Facial swelling
- Anaphylaxis
When do symptoms of IgE mediated allergic reactions to food occur?
10-15 minutes after ingestion
What are the symptoms of non-IgE mediated food allergies?
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Faltering growth
What is the gold standard investigation for both IgE and non-IgE mediated food allergies?
Double blinded placebo-controlled food challenge