Food Allergy

Question 1

What is a food allergy?

Answer 1

Adverse immune response to a food, commonly associated with cutaneous and GI reactions, and less frequently associated with respiratory reactions and anaphylaxis

Question 2

How is a food allergy different to an intolerance?

Answer 2

Intolerance = non-immunological

Question 3

Common allergens

Answer 3

Cow’s milk, hen’s eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish

Question 4

Management of food allergies

Answer 4

Avoidance of the food

Educate patients about appropriate nutrition, food preparation, and the risks of accidental exposure e.g., foods and drinks to avoid, ensuring adequate nutritional intake and interpreting food labels

Peanut protein = May be offered as an adjunct to dietary avoidance in patients with peanut allergy in childhood and can be continued into adulthood

Question 5

Drug treatment

Answer 5

Chlorphenamine
Adrenaline