Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts to specific food proteins as if they are harmful substances. These immune responses can lead to symptoms that range from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening reactions. Because reactions may happen unexpectedly, treatment includes strategies to reduce exposure risk and to prepare for accidental contact. Management often combines diagnostic evaluation, avoidance strategies, medication use, and various therapies.
Diagnosing Food Allergies
To diagnose food allergies, clinicians may start with a detailed history of symptoms. This history can include information about the suspected trigger food and its preparation, as well as family history and medical history of asthma or eczema. The provider will likely review any recent history of exposures to the suspected trigger and how long it has been since symptoms last presented.
The provider performs or orders different tests to confirm whether the suspected triggers are the actual cause of the symptoms. Skin prick tests check for sensitization to a suspected allergen. Blood tests can measure allergy-related antibodies tied to certain foods. When results are unclear, an oral food challenge may be performed in a controlled setting, with medical supervision and emergency treatment readily available in case a reaction occurs.
Avoiding Trigger Foods
Avoidance is one way to lower the risk of a reaction, and it starts with identifying the exact food and related ingredients. Packaged foods require a label review before consumption because product ingredients may change over time.
Cross-contamination can occur when an allergen comes in contact with a utensil, surface, or other food. Separate cutting boards and careful cleaning reduce the risk of cross-contamination. When eating out, you can ask the server which foods contain the allergens you want to avoid, noting that they cannot always guarantee complete exposure avoidance.
For children with food allergies, instruction about avoidance strategies can help prevent consumption of the trigger food. Instructing them not to share food and not to eat unfamiliar foods can help prevent allergen exposure. Discussing the issue with their school and any caregivers can help those adults understand the risks and help the child avoid accidental exposure.Â
Using Preventive Therapies
Some treatments aim to reduce the chance of a reaction after accidental exposure. These options do not replace avoidance strategies, and eligibility depends on the allergy type, severity, and your medical history.
Omalizumab is an injection typically administered twice a month. A provider may administer it or train patients for self-dosing at home in some cases. The medication reduces the effects of a reaction to some food allergens.
Oral immunotherapy uses specifically measured doses of an allergen to desensitize the body to the allergen. Doses increase over time under a supervised, systematic treatment program. The goal is greater tolerance to small accidental exposures, though some patients may potentially be able to eat the trigger food after oral immunotherapy. Sublingual immunotherapy works similarly to oral immunotherapy, the difference being that instead of consuming the allergen, a pill dissolves under the tongue.
Managing Allergic Reactions
Even with careful routines and practicing avoidance, allergen exposure can happen. Mild symptoms may involve skin itching, hives, or stomach discomfort; severe symptoms may involve breathing trouble or faintness.
An epinephrine auto-injector, such as EpiPen, is an emergency treatment for a severe allergic reaction. Administering and storing this medication according to your physician’s and label instructions can help it perform predictably. After using epinephrine, consult an emergency care provider for a medical evaluation. Other medicines used for emergency treatment may include antihistamines and corticosteroids. These medications are not substitutes for epinephrine and do not prevent allergic reactions; they can slow down or stop a reaction already in progress.
Learn More About Food Allergies
Managing food allergies involves more than avoiding trigger foods. Diagnostic confirmation, medication planning, and supervised treatment options all contribute to reducing the risk of allergic reactions. Being prepared with medications and strategies in an emergency may help reduce the effects of a reaction. To learn more about food allergies and treatment options, consult a healthcare provider.
