Information on Food Allergies for patients

1. Food Allergy
What to know
Source: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/foodAllergy/Documents/foodallergy.pdf

2. Food Allergy
Food allergy is an abnormal response to a
food, triggered by the body’s immune system.
The response may be mild, or in rare cases, it can
cause the severe and life-threatening reaction called
anaphylaxis
Food
Allergy
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What to know…

3. Symptoms
If you are allergic to a particular food, you may
experience some of the following symptoms within the
first 1 to 2 hours of eating that food:
 Itching in your mouth
 Swelling of lips and tongue
 Vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps and pain
 Hives
 Worsening of eczema
 Tightening of the throat or trouble breathing
 Drop in blood pressure
Food
Allergy
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4. Anaphylaxis
With a food allergy, there is a chance you may
experience an allergic reaction the restricts
breathing and blood circulation --- known as
anaphylaxis.
 Itching or swelling in your mouth or throat
 Chest tightness
 Weak pulse
Food
Allergy
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Call 911, if you experience:

5. Common Food Allergies
Infants and children:
 Egg
 Milk
 Peanut
 Tree nuts, such as walnuts almonds, cashews
 Soy
 Wheat
Adults:
 Shellfish, such as shrimp, crayfish, lobster, crab
 Peanut
 Tree nuts, such as walnuts almonds, cashews
 Fish, such as salmon
Food
Allergy
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6. Diagnosis
Food allergies are complex and there may
be many steps your doctor takes to
diagnosis you correctly:
 Your Medical History
 Diet Diary
 Elimination Diet
 Skin Prick Test
 Blood Test
 Oral Food Challenge
Food
Allergy
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7. Prevention
There is no cure for food allergies at this
time. Prevention of symptoms is the main
way to treat food allergies.
 Remove these foods from your diet
 Read food labels carefully
 Clean shared eating areas
Food
Allergy
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What can you do?

8. Treatment
You must be prepared to treat an
unintentional exposure.
 Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace
 Carry an auto-injector for epinephrine
 Seek medical help immediately
 Talk to your healthcare professional to find out
what medicines may relieve mild food allergy
symptoms
Food
Allergy
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Develop a plan