Food Allergies Questions & Answers

Updated: Feb 05, 2020
  • Author: Scott H Sicherer, MD; Chief Editor: Michael A Kaliner, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What are food allergies?

What are the signs and symptoms of food allergy-induced anaphylaxis?

What should be included in the medical history for food allergies?

What is the role of the physical exam findings in the evaluation of food allergies?

Which lab tests may be helpful in the diagnosis of food allergies?

How is skin testing performed in the diagnosis of food allergies?

Which diet-related measures are used in the workup of food allergies?

How are food allergies treated?

What are the medications used in the emergency treatment of food allergies?

What are food allergies?

What is the pathophysiology of non–IgE-mediated GI food allergies?

What are the clinical manifestations of food allergies?

What is the role of food allergies in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis?

What is the role of food allergies in the pathogenesis of celiac disease?

What is the role of food allergies in the pathogenesis of dermatitis herpetiformis?

What is the pathophysiology of IgE-mediated GI food allergies?

What is the pathophysiology of pollen-food allergy syndrome (oral allergy syndrome)?

What is the pathophysiology of mixed IgE/non-IgE GI food allergies?

What are the upper and lower respiratory tract reactions to food allergies?

What is the role of food allergies in the pathophysiology of asthma?

What is the role of food allergies in the pathophysiology of food-induced pulmonary hemosiderosis (Heiner syndrome)?

What is the role of IgE antibody-mediated responses in the pathogenesis of food allergies?

What causes food allergies?

What is the role of cell-mediated responses in the pathogenesis of food allergies?

What are the physiologic characteristics of food allergens?

What are risk factors for anaphylaxis from food allergies?

What is the prevalence of food allergies?

Which patient groups have the highest prevalence of food allergies?

Which food allergies are most prevalent in children?

What is the prognosis of food allergies?

What is the risk for mortality from food allergies?

What is included in patient education about food allergies?

Presentation

What are the signs and symptoms of food-induced anaphylaxis?

What is included in the medical history for food allergies?

What is the role of the physical exam findings in the evaluation of food allergies?

DDX

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of food allergies?

What are the differential diagnoses for Food Allergies?

Workup

How are food allergies diagnosed?

What is the role of serum studies in the workup of food allergies?

What is the role of a diet diary in the workup of food allergies?

What is the role of an elimination diet in the workup of food allergies?

What is the role of skin testing in the workup of food allergies?

What is the role of an oral food challenge in the diagnosis of food allergies?

How is an open food challenge performed in the workup of food allergies?

How is a single-blind food challenge performed in the workup of food allergies?

How is a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge performed in the workup of food allergies?

What is the role of intradermal skin testing in the workup of food allergies?

What is the role of patch tests in the workup of food allergies?

What is the role of peripheral serum measurements of eosinophils or total IgE concentrations in the diagnosis of food allergies?

What is the role of basophil histamine-release assays in the diagnosis of food allergies?

Which tests are not evidenced-based for the diagnosis of food allergies?

Treatment

How are food allergies treated?

Which dietary modifications are used in the treatment of food allergies?

What is the role of an emergency plan in the treatment of food allergies?

What is the drug of choice for emergent treatment of food allergies?

Which specialist consultations are beneficial to patients with food allergies?

How are food allergies prevented?

Which therapeutics are under investigation for the treatment of food allergies?

Medications

Which medications are used in the treatment of food allergies?

Which medications in the drug class Alpha/Beta Adrenergic Agonists are used in the treatment of Food Allergies?

Which medications in the drug class Antihistamines are used in the treatment of Food Allergies?

Which medications in the drug class Immunotherapy are used in the treatment of Food Allergies?