Food Allergy

A food allergy is an abnormal immune reaction to a specific food, which can range from mild symptoms to a severe, life-threatening reaction (anaphylaxis). It is distinct from food intolerance, which does not involve the immune system.

• Skin reactions: hives, itching, or swelling, often appearing soon after eating the trigger food
• Digestive symptoms: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhoea
• Respiratory symptoms: wheeze, cough, or nasal congestion
• Severe reactions (anaphylaxis): swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or collapse — a medical emergency

• Results from the immune system mistakenly identifying a specific food protein as harmful and mounting an allergic response.
• Common trigger foods include peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish, though any food can potentially cause an allergy.
• Risk is increased by a personal or family history of allergic conditions, such as eczema, asthma, or hay fever.

• Diagnosed through a detailed history linking symptoms to specific foods, together with, where available, skin prick testing or blood tests for specific allergic antibodies.
• A supervised food challenge, done under medical supervision, may be used to confirm or rule out a suspected allergy in some cases.
• It is important to distinguish true food allergy, which involves the immune system, from food intolerance, which does not and is generally less dangerous.

Strict avoidance of the identified trigger food is the main approach to preventing reactions.

Mild allergic reactions may be treated with an antihistamine to relieve itching or hives.

Anyone with a history of a severe reaction (anaphylaxis) should carry an adrenaline auto-injector where available, know how to use it, and seek emergency care immediately after any severe reaction, even if symptoms initially improve.

Family members, caregivers, and, for children, school staff should be informed of the allergy and know how to respond to a reaction.

• Carefully avoid known trigger foods and check ingredient labels.
• Inform restaurants, schools, and caregivers about known food allergies.
• Carry an adrenaline auto-injector if prescribed, and ensure it is not expired.
• Wear or carry medical identification indicating the allergy for emergency situations.
• Seek medical assessment for any new suspected food allergy to confirm the diagnosis and develop a management plan.