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
