eMedicine Specialties > Allergy and Immunology > Major Allergic Diseases

Food Allergies: Treatment & Medication

Author: Scott H Sicherer, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Sep 2, 2009

Treatment

Medical Care

  • Education
    • Education is of paramount importance for patients with food allergies.
    • Patients can obtain useful resource information by contacting the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (toll-free phone number is 800-929-4040).
    • Remember that appropriate restriction and complete avoidance of the relevant food allergen or allergens is the only current effective therapy.
  • Elimination of food allergen
    • Once a food allergy is diagnosed, strict elimination of the offending food allergen from the diet and avoidance of any contact with the food by ingestion, skin contact, inhalation, or injection is necessary.
    • Elimination and strict avoidance is the only proven medical therapy for this allergic disease.
  • Recognize the early signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction. Keep in mind that cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and respiratory symptoms are the most common clinical manifestations of food allergy.

Consultations

  • Consultation with a board-certified allergist/immunologist should be considered when food allergy is suspected or confirmed.
  • Consultation with a nutritionist or nutrition service is invaluable in the overall management. The elimination diet can be reviewed and appropriate substitutions can be recommended. Dietary deficiencies can be anticipated and prevented.
  • Consultation with a gastroenterologist is also useful in the evaluation of selected patients. For example, patients who present with possible anatomic gastrointestinal abnormalities, eosinophilic esophagitis or gastroenteritis, failure to thrive, and malabsorption syndromes may benefit from consultation with both an allergist and a gastroenterologist.

Diet

  • A properly managed well-balanced elimination diet (eg, allergen restriction) can lead to resolution of symptoms and help avoid nutritional deficiencies.
  • Educate the patient and family about how to properly read food labels and identify common words used for indicating the presence of the food allergen of concern.
  • US labeling laws now require major allergens (ie, egg, milk, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish) to be identified as ingredients on manufactured food products using plain English terms. Note that not all potential allergens are included and that some may be subsumed under terms such as s pices or natural flavor.
  • Advisory labels (eg, may contain) are not regulated, are voluntary, and may reflect variable risks.
  • Meal preparation must consider avoidance of crosscontact (eg, shared utensils, fryers) of allergens with otherwise safe foods.
  • With elimination diets, only exclude those foods confirmed to provoke allergic reactions.
  • Review obvious and hidden sources of food allergens. Be aware of the potential for exposures by routes other than ingestion, such as skin contact, or inhalation. This concern is particularly problematic for foods while they are being cooked and proteins are dispersed in the steam (eg, frying fish, boiling milk). Educate about the potential for food allergens to be present in medications and cosmetics.
  • Anticipate potential candidates for food allergen crossreactivity, such as the following:7
    • Eggs and chicken (<5%)
    • Cow milk and beef (10%)
    • Cow milk and goat milk (>90%)
    • Fish (>50%)
    • Peanuts and related legumes (<10%)
    • Soy and related legumes (<5%)
    • Wheat and other grains (25%)
    • Tree nuts and other nuts (>50%)
  • Encourage avoidance of high-risk situations (eg, buffets, picnics), where accidental or inadvertent ingestion of food allergens can occur.
  • Instruct patients to discuss their food allergies with restaurant and food establishment personnel.

Medication

Despite following stringent avoidance measures for clinically relevant food allergens, accidental or inadvertent ingestions may occur. Therefore, patients must be instructed on actions to take in the event of a reaction. For persons with a potentially severe food allergy, prescription of self-injectable epinephrine is advised.26

A concise written plan for the treatment of allergic reactions resulting from accidental exposure to the food should be developed. Examples of such a plan can be downloaded from www.foodallergy.org. For patients with a history of a mild reaction, such as urticaria and pruritus following the ingestion of a food allergen, treatment may be limited to an oral antihistamine. However, the potential for a more severe reaction on subsequent exposures must be taken into consideration because of the possibility of the ingestion of a larger dose than previously ingested or an unexpected or unrecognized increase in the patient’s degree of sensitivity.

If the patient has significant systemic symptoms, the treatment of choice is epinephrine administered by intramuscular injection in the lateral thigh.58 Examples of systemic manifestations of food allergy include generalized urticaria, laryngeal edema, lower respiratory symptoms (eg, chest tightness, dyspnea, wheezing), and hypotension. Epinephrine should likely be administered to any patient with history of a severe allergic reaction as soon as ingestion of the food allergen is discovered and the first symptoms appear, possibly even before symptoms appear.

Patient must be educated regarding when to use their self-injector and the proper technique. They should be instructed to obtain immediate medical assistance (eg, call 911) in the event of anaphylaxis.

Epinephrine is the primary medication indicated to treat anaphylaxis. Patients should not depend upon bronchodilators or antihistamines to treat anaphylaxis, though these can be used as additional therapies.59 For more information on the treatment of anaphylaxis, please see eMedicine article Anaphylaxis.

Caregivers of children should be instructed on identification and treatment of allergic and anaphylactic reactions.

Additional therapy during an allergic reaction includes antihistamines. A bronchodilator may be used as an adjunctive therapy for asthma. Although corticosteroids are often given for anaphylaxis, they are not believed to alter the early symptoms; theoretically, they may reduce late symptoms.

Advanced medical therapy of food allergen–induced anaphylaxis may include antihistamines; bronchodilators; histamine 2 (h2) blockers; corticosteroids; administration of intravenous fluids, glucagon, and oxygen; as well as ventilatory and circulatory support in severe anaphylaxis.

Adrenergic agonists

Used in the emergency management of systemic allergic reactions or anaphylaxis (eg, urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm, cardiovascular collapse). Effects are immediate and dramatic. Appropriate use of this class of medication can be lifesaving, especially in the emergency management of anaphylaxis.


Epinephrine (Adrenaline, EpiPen, TwinJect)

DOC for treating anaphylaxis. Helps decrease symptoms of anaphylaxis by increasing systemic vascular resistance, elevating diastolic pressure, producing bronchodilation, and increasing inotropic and chronotropic cardiac activity. In addition, helps reduce urticaria, angioedema, laryngeal edema, and other systemic manifestations of anaphylaxis.

Adult

0.3 mL IM (also traditionally given SC) of 1:1000 aqueous injected (usual range is 0.2-0.5 mL) q10-15min, not to exceed 3 doses; may need to decrease dose to 0.2 mL in elderly persons or those with known cardiac conditions
0.3 mL IM of 1:1000 dilution q10-15min; IV route (1:10,000) seldom used; not to exceed 0.25 mg; given very slowly and with extreme caution
0.3-mg self-injectable devices (EpiPen, Twinject 0.3 mg)

Pediatric

IM dosing in children based on weight or 0.01 mL/kg IM of 1:1000 dilution; not to exceed 0.3 mL IM 1:2000 dilution q10-15min
0.15-mg self-injectable devices (EpiPen Jr, Twinject 0.15 mg)

Increases toxicity of beta- and alpha-blocking agents and that of halogenated inhalational anesthetics, ie, drugs that may sensitize the heart to arrhythmias

Documented hypersensitivity; cardiac arrhythmias, coronary artery insufficiency, or angle-closure glaucoma; local anesthesia in areas such as fingers or toes because vasoconstriction may produce sloughing of tissue; do not use during labor (may delay second stage of labor)

Pregnancy

C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Dose may be decreased in elderly patients to 0.2 mL; may cause disturbing reactions such as fear, anxiety, tenseness, restlessness, throbbing headache, weakness, dizziness, pallor, respiratory difficulty, palpitation, tachycardia, tremor, and arrhythmia; use with caution in patients with cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes; properly train patients with use of self-injectable devices; advise patients to seek medical attention if using self-injectable devices to manage allergic reactions

More on Food Allergies

Overview: Food Allergies
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Food Allergies
Treatment & Medication: Food Allergies
Follow-up: Food Allergies
References
[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

References

  1. Johansson SG, Bieber T, Dahl R, Friedmann PS, Lanier BQ, Lockey RF. Revised nomenclature for allergy for global use: Report of the Nomenclature Review Committee of the World Allergy Organization, October 2003. J Allergy Clin Immunol. May 2004;113(5):832-6. [Medline].

  2. Food allergy: a practice parameter. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. Mar 2006;96(3 Suppl 2):S1-68. [Medline].

  3. Chehade M, Mayer L. Oral tolerance and its relation to food hypersensitivities. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jan 2005;115(1):3-12; quiz 13. [Medline].

  4. Lack G. Epidemiologic risks for food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jun 2008;121(6):1331-6. [Medline].

  5. Sicherer SH, Eigenmann PA, Sampson HA. Clinical features of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome. J Pediatr. Aug 1998;133(2):214-9. [Medline].

  6. Abernathy-Carver KJ, Sampson HA, Picker LJ, Leung DY. Milk-induced eczema is associated with the expansion of T cells expressing cutaneous lymphocyte antigen. J Clin Invest. Feb 1995;95(2):913-8. [Medline].

  7. Sicherer SH. Clinical implications of cross-reactive food allergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Dec 2001;108(6):881-90. [Medline].

  8. Commins SP, Satinover SM, Hosen J, Mozena J, Borish L, Lewis BD, et al. Delayed anaphylaxis, angioedema, or urticaria after consumption of red meat in patients with IgE antibodies specific for galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Feb 2009;123(2):426-33. [Medline].

  9. Sloan AE, Powers ME. A perspective on popular perceptions of adverse reactions to foods. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jul 1986;78(1 Pt 2):127-33. [Medline].

  10. Altman DR, Chiaramonte LT. Public perception of food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jun 1996;97(6):1247-51. [Medline].

  11. Bock SA, Atkins FM. Patterns of food hypersensitivity during sixteen years of double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges. J Pediatr. Oct 1990;117(4):561-7. [Medline].

  12. Bock SA. Prospective appraisal of complaints of adverse reactions to foods in children during the first 3 years of life. Pediatrics. May 1987;79(5):683-8. [Medline].

  13. Sicherer SH, Sampson HA. 9. Food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Feb 2006;117(2 Suppl Mini-Primer):S470-5.

  14. Rona RJ, Keil T, Summers C, Gislason D, Zuidmeer L, Sodergren E, et al. The prevalence of food allergy: a meta-analysis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Sep 2007;120(3):638-46. [Medline].

  15. Zuidmeer L, Goldhahn K, Rona RJ, Gislason D, Madsen C, Summers C, et al. The prevalence of plant food allergies: a systematic review. J Allergy Clin Immunol. May 2008;121(5):1210-1218.e4. [Medline].

  16. Sicherer SH, Munoz-Furlong A, Sampson HA. Prevalence of peanut and tree nut allergy in the United States determined by means of a random digit dial telephone survey: a 5-year follow-up study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Dec 2003;112(6):1203-7. [Medline].

  17. Grundy J, Matthews S, Bateman B, Dean T, Arshad SH. Rising prevalence of allergy to peanut in children: Data from 2 sequential cohorts. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Nov 2002;110(5):784-9. [Medline].

  18. Kagan RS, Joseph L, Dufresne C, Gray-Donald K, Turnbull E, Pierre YS, et al. Prevalence of peanut allergy in primary-school children in Montreal, Canada. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Dec 2003;112(6):1223-8. [Medline].

  19. Hourihane JO, Aiken R, Briggs R, Gudgeon LA, Grimshaw KE, DunnGalvin A, et al. The impact of government advice to pregnant mothers regarding peanut avoidance on the prevalence of peanut allergy in United Kingdom children at school entry. J Allergy Clin Immunol. May 2007;119(5):1197-202. [Medline].

  20. Weber RW. Food additives and allergy. Ann Allergy. Mar 1993;70(3):183-90. [Medline].

  21. Bock SA, Munoz-Furlong A, Sampson HA. Fatalities due to anaphylactic reactions to foods. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jan 2001;107(1):191-3. [Medline].

  22. Bock SA, Munoz-Furlong A, Sampson HA. Further fatalities caused by anaphylactic reactions to food, 2001-2006. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Apr 2007;119(4):1016-8. [Medline].

  23. Pumphrey RS, Gowland MH. Further fatal allergic reactions to food in the United Kingdom, 1999-2006. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Apr 2007;119(4):1018-9. [Medline].

  24. Sampson HA, Mendelson L, Rosen JP. Fatal and near-fatal anaphylactic reactions to food in children and adolescents. N Engl J Med. Aug 6 1992;327(6):380-4. [Medline].

  25. Romano A, Di Fonso M, Giuffreda F, et al. Diagnostic work-up for food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Allergy. Oct 1995;50(10):817-24. [Medline].

  26. Food allergy: a practice parameter. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. Mar 2006;96(3 Suppl 2):S1-68. [Medline].

  27. Sicherer SH, Sampson HA. Food hypersensitivity and atopic dermatitis: pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Sep 1999;104(3 Pt 2):S114-22. [Medline].

  28. Burks AW, James JM, Hiegel A, et al. Atopic dermatitis and food hypersensitivity reactions. J Pediatr. Jan 1998;132(1):132-6. [Medline].

  29. Eigenmann PA, Sicherer SH, Borkowski TA, Cohen BA, Sampson HA. Prevalence of IgE-mediated food allergy among children with atopic dermatitis. Pediatrics. Mar 1998;101(3):E8. [Medline].

  30. Sampson HA, McCaskill CC. Food hypersensitivity and atopic dermatitis: evaluation of 113 patients. J Pediatr. Nov 1985;107(5):669-75. [Medline].

  31. Sampson HA, Scanlon SM. Natural history of food hypersensitivity in children with atopic dermatitis. J Pediatr. Jul 1989;115(1):23-7. [Medline].

  32. David TJ, Waddington E, Stanton RH. Nutritional hazards of elimination diets in children with atopic eczema. Arch Dis Child. Apr 1984;59(4):323-5. [Medline].

  33. Lever R, MacDonald C, Waugh P, Aitchison T. Randomised controlled trial of advice on an egg exclusion diet in young children with atopic eczema and sensitivity to eggs. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. Feb 1998;9(1):13-9. [Medline].

  34. Ortolani C, Ispano M, Pastorello E, et al. The oral allergy syndrome. Ann Allergy. Dec 1988;61(6 Pt 2):47-52. [Medline].

  35. Furuta GT, Liacouras CA, Collins MH, Gupta SK, Justinich C, Putnam PE, et al. Eosinophilic esophagitis in children and adults: a systematic review and consensus recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. Gastroenterology. Oct 2007;133(4):1342-63. [Medline].

  36. Powell GK. Food protein-induced enterocolitis of infancy: differential diagnosis and management. Compr Ther. Feb 1986;12(2):28-37. [Medline].

  37. Nowak-Wegrzyn A, Sampson HA, Wood RA, Sicherer SH. Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome caused by solid food proteins. Pediatrics. Apr 2003;111(4 Pt 1):829-35. [Medline].

  38. Odze RD, Wershil BK, Leichtner AM, Antonioli DA. Allergic colitis in infants. J Pediatr. Feb 1995;126(2):163-70. [Medline].

  39. James JM. Respiratory manifestations of food allergy. Pediatrics. Jun 2003;111(6 Pt 3):1625-30. [Medline].

  40. Bock SA. Respiratory reactions induced by food challenges in children with pulmonary disease. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 1992;3:82.

  41. James JM, Eigenmann PA, Eggleston PA, Sampson HA. Airway reactivity changes in asthmatic patients undergoing blinded food challenges. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. Feb 1996;153(2):597-603. [Medline].

  42. Roberts G, Patel N, Levi-Schaffer F, et al. Food allergy as a risk factor for life-threatening asthma in childhood: a case-controlled study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jul 2003;112(1):168-74.

  43. Horan RF, Sheffer AL. Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 1991;757.

  44. Bernstein IL, Li JT, Bernstein DI, Hamilton R, Spector SL, Tan R, et al. Allergy diagnostic testing: an updated practice parameter. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. Mar 2008;100(3 Suppl 3):S1-148. [Medline].

  45. Sampson HA. Utility of food-specific IgE concentrations in predicting symptomatic food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. May 2001;107(5):891-6. [Medline].

  46. Maloney JM, Rudengren M, Ahlstedt S, Bock SA, Sampson HA. The use of serum-specific IgE measurements for the diagnosis of peanut, tree nut, and seed allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jul 2008;122(1):145-51. [Medline].

  47. Sampson HA, Ho DG. Relationship between food-specific IgE concentrations and the risk of positive food challenges in children and adolescents. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Oct 1997;100(4):444-51. [Medline].

  48. Wang J, Godbold JH, Sampson HA. Correlation of serum allergy (IgE) tests performed by different assay systems. J Allergy Clin Immunol. May 2008;121(5):1219-24. [Medline].

  49. Eigenmann PA, Sampson HA. Interpreting skin prick tests in the evaluation of food allergy in children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. Nov 1998;9(4):186-91. [Medline].

  50. Bock SA, Lee WY, Remigio L, et al. Appraisal of skin tests with food extracts for diagnosis of food hypersensitivity. Clin Allergy. Nov 1978;8(6):559-64. [Medline].

  51. Knight AK, Shreffler WG, Sampson HA, Sicherer SH, Noone S, Mofidi S, et al. Skin prick test to egg white provides additional diagnostic utility to serum egg white-specific IgE antibody concentration in children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Apr 2006;117(4):842-7. [Medline].

  52. Roberts G, Lack G. Diagnosing peanut allergy with skin prick and specific IgE testing. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jun 2005;115(6):1291-6. [Medline].

  53. Spergel JM, Brown-Whitehorn T, Beausoleil JL, Shuker M, Liacouras CA. Predictive values for skin prick test and atopy patch test for eosinophilic esophagitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Feb 2007;119(2):509-11. [Medline].

  54. Fogg MI, Brown-Whitehorn TA, Pawlowski NA, Spergel JM. Atopy patch test for the diagnosis of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. Aug 2006;17(5):351-5. [Medline].

  55. Mehl A, Rolinck-Werninghaus C, Staden U, Verstege A, Wahn U, Beyer K, et al. The atopy patch test in the diagnostic workup of suspected food-related symptoms in children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Oct 2006;118(4):923-9. [Medline].

  56. Nowak-Wegrzyn A, Assa'ad AH, Bahna SL, Bock SA, Sicherer SH, Teuber SS. Work Group report: oral food challenge testing. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jun 2009;123(6 Suppl):S365-83. [Medline].

  57. Bock SA, Sampson HA, Atkins FM, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) as an office procedure: a manual. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Dec 1988;82(6):986-97. [Medline].

  58. Simons FE. First-aid treatment of anaphylaxis to food: focus on epinephrine. J Allergy Clin Immunol. May 2004;113(5):837-44. [Medline].

  59. Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters; American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis: an updated practice parameter. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Mar 2005;115(3 Suppl 2):S483-523. [Medline].

  60. Wood RA. The natural history of food allergy. Pediatrics. Jun 2003;111(6 Pt 3):1631-7. [Medline].

  61. Skripak JM, Matsui EC, Mudd K, Wood RA. The natural history of IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Nov 2007;120(5):1172-7. [Medline].

  62. Savage JH, Matsui EC, Skripak JM, Wood RA. The natural history of egg allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Dec 2007;120(6):1413-7. [Medline].

  63. Fleischer DM, Conover-Walker MK, Christie L, Burks AW, Wood RA. The natural progression of peanut allergy: Resolution and the possibility of recurrence. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jul 2003;112(1):183-9. [Medline].

  64. Mehr S, Kakakios A, Frith K, Kemp AS. Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome: 16-year experience. Pediatrics. Mar 2009;123(3):e459-64. [Medline].

  65. Assa'ad AH, Putnam PE, Collins MH, Akers RM, Jameson SC, Kirby CL, et al. Pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis: an 8-year follow-up. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Mar 2007;119(3):731-8. [Medline].

  66. Pastorello EA, Stocchi L, Pravettoni V, et al. Role of the elimination diet in adults with food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Oct 1989;84(4 Pt 1):475-83. [Medline].

  67. Lemon-Mule H, Sampson HA, Sicherer SH, Shreffler WG, Noone S, Nowak-Wegrzyn A. Immunologic changes in children with egg allergy ingesting extensively heated egg. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Nov 2008;122(5):977-983.e1. [Medline].

  68. Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW. Effects of early nutritional interventions on the development of atopic disease in infants and children: the role of maternal dietary restriction, breastfeeding, timing of introduction of complementary foods, and hydrolyzed formulas. Pediatrics. Jan 2008;121(1):183-91. [Medline].

  69. Sicherer SH, Sampson HA. Food Allergy: Recent Advances in Pathophysiology and Treatment. Annu Rev Med. Aug 19 2008;[Medline].

  70. James JM, Burks AW, Roberson PK, Sampson HA. Safe administration of the measles vaccine to children allergic to eggs. N Engl J Med. May 11 1995;332(19):1262-6. [Medline].

  71. James JM, Zeiger RS, Lester MR, et al. Safe administration of influenza vaccine to patients with egg allergy. J Pediatr. Nov 1998;133(5):624-8. [Medline].

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Further Reading

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Keywords

food allergies, food allergy, adverse immunologic reactions to foods, allergic reactions to foods, food hypersensitivity, food intolerance, food allergy test, food allergy symptoms, food allergy rash, food allergy treatment, allergy foods, adverse food reactions, lactose intolerance, bacterial food poisoning, peanut allergy, protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, proctocolitis, food hypersensitivity, allergen exposure, anaphylactic reactions, food-induced anaphylactic reaction, oral allergy syndrome, dietary protein enterocolitis, food-induced asthma, food-induced pulmonary hemosiderosis, Heiner syndrome, egg allergy, milk allergy, peanut allergy, soy allergy, fish allergy, shellfish allergy, tree nut allergy, wheat allergy, celiac disease, childhood food allergy, lactose intolerant

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Scott H Sicherer, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University
Scott H Sicherer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology and American Academy of Pediatrics
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Stephen C Dreskin, MD, PhD, Director of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Practice, Professor of Medicine, Departments of Internal Medicine and Immunology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Stephen C Dreskin, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Immunologists, American Association of Neuropathologists, American Association of Ophthalmic Pathologists, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Clinical Immunology Society, and Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Disclosure: Genentech Consulting fee Consulting

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Stephen C Dreskin, MD, PhD, Director of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Practice, Professor of Medicine, Departments of Internal Medicine and Immunology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Stephen C Dreskin, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Immunologists, American Association of Neuropathologists, American Association of Ophthalmic Pathologists, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Clinical Immunology Society, and Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Disclosure: Genentech Consulting fee Consulting

CME Editor

Timothy D Rice, MD, Associate Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Timothy D Rice, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Michael A Kaliner, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine; Chief, Section of Allergy and Immunology, Washington Hospital Center; Medical Director, Institute for Asthma and Allergy
Michael A Kaliner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Thoracic Society, and Association of American Physicians
Disclosure: Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Consulting fee Consulting; Glaxo Consulting fee Consulting; Greer Consulting fee Consulting; Sanofi Consulting fee Consulting; Schering Consulting fee Consulting; Teva  Consulting; Meda Honoraria Speaking and teaching

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.