Food allergy

Description

A food allergy represents a reaction of the immune system of the organism to some ingredient in food. The body produces a reaction which may vary from mild (itch, nausea) to heavy (throat swelling, choking). An allergic reaction usually occurs 30 minutes after having consumed the food but it may also occur after 4 to 6 hours after having a meal. Any food may cause the allergic reaction but chances for causing the reaction are greater with consuming certain groceries such as peanuts, eggs, soy, clams, cereals, milk.

Symptoms

Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the allergy. They include rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and eczema. More severe cases include swelling of face and mouth, difficulty swallowing and breathing.

Overview

Anamnesis and physical examination will be done. A food allergy can often be determined only based on the anamnesis. In other cases, the patient may be sent to an allergologist for performing skin testing. That test is also called radioallergosorbent (RAST) and it looks for certain changes in the immune system (antibodies) which point out to the allergy on certain type of food.

Additional analyses

RAST test, skin testing

Specialists

Allergology and Immunology, General Practice, Internal Medicine, Immunology

Therapy

Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. Light cases can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines. More severe cases, which include throat swelling and difficult breathing, may require steroids or adrenaline. Patients whose symptoms do not cease after taking over-the-counter drugs should seek an urgent medical assistance. The ambulance should be called in case of choking.