Food Allergy (cont.)
Are allergy shots effective in preventing or decreasing food allergy?
Allergy shots, a form of treatment known as immunotherapy, involves injecting small quantities of substances to which the patient is allergic. The shots are given regularly for a long time with the aim of desensitizing the patient or getting the patient to tolerate the allergen without developing symptoms. This type of therapy is effective in controlling symptoms of allergies related to hay fever, indoor allergens, and insect stings. Researchers, however, have not yet proven that these shots can prevent any allergic reactions to food.
Summary
Food allergy is caused by immunological reactions to foods,
sometimes in individuals or families predisposed to allergies. A
number of foods, especially shellfish, milk, eggs, peanuts, and fruit
can cause allergic reactions (notably hives, asthma, abdominal
symptoms, lightheadedness, and anaphylaxis) in adults or children.
When a food allergy is suspected, a medical evaluation is the key to
proper management.
It is important to distinguish a true food allergy from other abnormal responses to food, that is, food intolerances, which actually are far more common than food allergy. Once the diagnosis of food allergy is made (primarily by the medical history) and the allergen is identified (usually by skin tests), the treatment basically is to avoid the offending food. People with food allergies should work with their physicians and become knowledgeable about allergies and how they are diagnosed and treated.
This article incorporates information from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
- Food allergy is not common but can be serious.
- Food allergy differs from food intolerance, which is far more
common.
- The more frequent types of food allergies in adults differ from
those in children.
- Children can outgrow their food allergies, but adults usually do
not.
- The diagnosis of food allergy is made with a detailed history, the patient's diet diary, or an
elimination diet.
- Food allergy is treated primarily by dietary avoidance.
Last Editorial Review: 9/26/2008
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