Food Allergy Management
Approaches
Food allergy management requires a multifaceted approach aimed at preventing allergic reactions and addressing the symptoms when they occur. This typically involves strict avoidance of known allergens and careful dietary planning, or the management of anaphylaxis, where timely recognition and reaction are crucial due to potentially life-threatening consequences. For individuals with severe allergies, especially if IgE-mediated, carrying emergency medications such as epinephrine auto-injectors is essential. Epinephrine acts by inducing vasoconstriction, bronchodilation and reduction of edema, thereby stabilizing the patient's condition. In addition to epinephrine, adjunctive therapy with second-generation or non-sedating antihistamines and glucocorticoids plays a supportive role in managing anaphylaxis. While these medications can provide symptomatic relief, it is important to note that they should not be used as substitutes for epinephrine. Currently, no curative treatment…
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Approaches
Food allergy management requires a multifaceted approach aimed at preventing allergic reactions and addressing the symptoms when they occur. This typically involves strict avoidance of known allergens and careful dietary planning, or the management of anaphylaxis, where timely recognition and reaction are crucial due to potentially life-threatening consequences. For individuals with severe allergies, especially if IgE-mediated, carrying emergency medications such as epinephrine auto-injectors is essential. Epinephrine acts by inducing vasoconstriction, bronchodilation and reduction of edema, thereby stabilizing the patient's condition. In addition to epinephrine, adjunctive therapy with second-generation or non-sedating antihistamines and glucocorticoids plays a supportive role in managing anaphylaxis. While these medications can provide symptomatic relief, it is important to note that they should not be used as substitutes for epinephrine. Currently, no curative treatment for food allergies exists. However, long-term solutions such as immunotherapy, the use of biologics and dietary management can help ease the negative impact of food allergies on patient quality of life (QoL).
References
- Anvari S, Miller J, Yeh CY, Davis CM. IgE-Mediated Food Allergy. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol. 2019;57(2):244-260.
- Bartha I, Almulhem N, Santos AF. Feast for thought: A comprehensive review of food allergy 2021-2023. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2023;153(3):576-594.
- Commins SP. Outpatient Emergencies. Med Clin N Am. 2017;101(3):521-536.
- Farbman KS, Michelson KA. Anaphylaxis in children. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2016;28(3):294-297.
- Fu L, Cherayil BJ, Shi H, et al. Overview of the Immunology of Food Allergy Food. Fu L, Cherayil BJ, Shi H, et al, eds. In: Food Allergy From Molecular Mechanisms to Control Strategies.
