Food allergy

About Food allergy

Food allergy is an IgE-mediated immune response to a specific food protein, producing reproducible symptoms — hives, swelling, vomiting, wheeze, or anaphylaxis — usually within minutes of ingestion. The most common triggers in adults are peanut, tree nut, shellfish, fish, milk, egg, wheat, soy, and sesame. Diagnosis combines a detailed history with skin-prick testing or serum specific IgE, and, when appropriate, a supervised oral food challenge. Management is strict avoidance, an emergency action plan, and an epinephrine auto-injector for patients at risk of anaphylaxis.