Abc of allergy

Dr Do-a-lot explores the topic of food allergy with her students. She gives them a broad overview of the subject: Prevalence and Epidemiology The prevalence of food allergy appears to be rising and it is a common problem encountered by the primary care physician. Commonly implicated foods include: milk, egg, soy, wheat, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish and sesame. Allergies to milk, egg, soy and wheat are often outgrown within the first 10 years of life, whereas allergies to peanut, Foods commonly implicated in allergic reactions Dr Do-a-lot's food allergy algorithm Degranulating mast celltree nut, fish and shellfish may be lifelong. Patients with peanut, tree nut and shellfish allergy often have more severe food allergy. There is a higher prevalence of food allergy in children with atopic disorders like eczema, asthma or allergic rhinitis.