Introduction
They cause skin, digestive, respiratory or general symptoms, ranging from mild forms to severe reactions.
Symptoms
- Itchy mouth, tingling of the lips or tongue
- Hives, red patches, acute eczema
- Swelling of the lips, face or eyelids
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- Difficulty breathing, coughing, tightness in the chest
- Feeling faint, low blood pressure
- In severe cases: anaphylactic reaction
Causes
- IgE-mediated immune reaction
- Cross-reactions between pollen and foods (fruit, vegetables, tree nuts)
- Late-onset sensitisation to certain foods
- Contributing factors
- physical exertion, alcohol, stress, taking anti-inflammatory drugs
Diagnosis
- Detailed history (suspected foods, time to onset, recurrence)
- Clinical examination
- Skin prick tests
- Blood test for specific IgE
- Oral food challenges if needed, carried out in a safe medical setting
Treatments
- Targeted avoidance of the food responsible
- Antihistamines for mild to moderate symptoms
- Short course of corticosteroids if necessary
- Prescription of an adrenaline auto-injector if there is a risk of severe reaction
- Therapeutic patient education
- adrenaline auto-injector
Management
Identify precisely which allergen is responsible
Avoid unnecessary restrictive diets
Prevent severe reactions
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