Food allergy

Key Points

Overview

A food allergy occurs when your body's immune system overreacts to certain foods, mistakenly identifying harmless proteins as a threat. This reaction can range from mild symptoms to very serious, life-threatening conditions. While the exact reason for this overreaction isn't fully understood, common triggers include cow's milk, peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish. Managing a food allergy primarily involves strictly avoiding the foods that cause a reaction. For mild symptoms, antihistamines can help, while severe reactions require immediate use of an adrenaline auto-injector. Patients often receive an allergy management plan to guide their care and ensure safety.

Signs and Symptoms

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Itchy skin or hives (raised rash)
• Swelling of lips, face, or eyes (angioedema)
• Coughing, wheezing, or breathlessness
• Sneezing or an itchy, runny, or blocked nose
• Feeling sick or vomiting
• Tummy pain
• Diarrhoea

Things That Increase the Risk

• Family history of allergies
• Personal history of asthma
• Personal history of eczema
• Allergy to common foods like cow's milk, peanuts, tree nuts, or shellfish

Diagnosis

• GP assessment based on symptoms
• Skin-prick test
• Blood tests
• Special elimination diet
• Food and symptoms diary

Treatment & Management

• Strict avoidance of trigger foods
• Antihistamines for mild allergic reactions
• Adrenaline auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen) for severe reactions
• Personalized allergy management plan
• Immunotherapy for specific allergies (e.g., peanut)

Prevention

• Carefully check food labels and restaurant menus
• Inform friends, family, and staff about your allergy
• Always carry two adrenaline auto-injectors if prescribed
• Tell airlines and cabin staff about your allergy before flying
• Wipe down public surfaces before eating
• Do not eat foods without knowing their ingredients

Related Diseases

• Food intolerance
• Oral allergy syndrome
• Asthma
• Eczema
• Anaphylaxis

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for Food allergy: