Food Allergies (Quiz 2) Flashcards
(47 cards)
Patients with diagnosed allergies should have one EpiPen cartridge
with them at all times T/F
False: TWO
Allergies to peanuts and shellfish are usually outgrown T/F
False
Allergies can never improve or be outgrown T/F
False
Antihistamines can abort an anaphylactic allergic reaction T/F
False
An allergy diagnosis is considered a disability and schools are
responsible for 504 plan needs T/F
True
Patients with eczema are more likely to have food allergies T/F
True
Primary care providers should diagnose food allergies T/F
False
How common are allergies?
- •5% of children under the age of 5 years
- •4% of teens and adults, on the increase
- •More than 300,000 ambulatory-care visits per year for children <18
- •Black and Asian children higher odds; lower odds of being diagnosed
Definitions: food allergy, food allergens, cross reactivity
***
- Food allergy: Adverse health effect due to immune response from exposure to certain food
- Food allergens: Specific components of food (typically proteins) that are recognized by allergen-specific immune cells and elicit immune reaction
- Cross reactivity: When an antibody reacts not only with the original allergen but also with a similar allergen
Immune mediated vs non-immune mediated food reactions
***
There are different types of reactions to food. However, in order to be a food allergy, it must be immune mediated. Lactose intolerance is not immune mediated, therefore, it is not a food allergy.

Why is it important to ID IgE mediated vs non IgE mediated reactions?
+ examples of non-IgE FAs
***
- The main distinction in food allergies is between allergies caused by IgE mechanisms and food allergies caused by other mechanisms. This is important because IgE mediated reactions can progress to anaphylaxis and must be identified and managed
- Some examples of non-IgE or cell mediated food allergies:
- Eosinophilic GI disorders
- Dietary protein-induced disorders
- Celiac disease
- Atopic dermatitis

Relationship Between Gut and Food Allergies
- Oral tolerance: immune unresponsiveness to harmless antigens
- Disruption of GI mucosal immune system alters normal state of oral tolerance
- Breakdown of oral tolerance–>food allergy
Pathophysiology of an allergic reaction
***

Common food allergies in children vs teens and adults
***
- ●These account for 90% of food allergy reactions
- ●Common food allergies in children are milk, egg, wheat and soy allergies and they often resolve in childhood
- ●Peanut, tree nut, fish and shellfish allergies can resolve, but are more likely to persist
- ●The time course of FA resolution in children varies by food and may occur as late as the teenage years. A high initial level of sIgE against a food is associated with a lower rate of resolution of clinical allergy over time.

Prevalence of allergies by age
peanut / shellfish / tree nut / milk / egg / wheat

Cross reactivity chart

Important HPI Qs for food allergies
***
- What are the symptoms?
- What food caused the symptoms?
- Reaction to this food in the past?
- What quantity of food was ingested?
- Was the food baked or uncooked?
- How soon after eating the food did you experience symptoms?
- Were other factors involved such as exercise, alcohol, or aspirin/NSAIDS?
- What treatment was used?
- How long did the symptoms last?
- Timing: IgE mediated reactions occur rapidly after ingestion. Uncommonly, reactions up to two hours and beyond can also occur*
- It is more likely for a food that is rarely eaten to trigger an acute allergic reaction rather than a food that is a frequently eaten*
- If a child has a reaction to a meal that was previously tolerated, think about whether or not the food was contaminated*
- IgE reactions can be triggered by small amounts of food proteins. Threshold doses required to trigger a reaction vary*
- Some medications increase the rate of allergen absorption*
- Exercise induced anaphylaxis in adults*
- Reaction to food in the past?-severity of reaction is unpredictable*
Symptoms of food allergy
***
- combo of: nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea, flushing, pruritis, urticaria, swelling of the lips/face/throat, wheezing, lightheadedness, syncope.
- A patient may present with one or two of these symptoms or more. In children a classic presentation is vomiting and urticaria

Past Medical History/Family History Qs for food allergies
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- •History of prior reaction to food?
- •History of asthma, atopic dermatitis, or allergies?
- •Children with food allergy are 2-4x more likely to have these conditions
- •History of food aversions?
- •Family history of asthma, allergies, atopic dermatitis?
- Family history of atopy and the presence of AD are risk factors for the development of both sensitization to food and confirmed FA.*
- FA is associated with severe asthma.*
In patients with asthma, the coexistence of FA may be a risk factor for severe asthma exacerbations. Moreover, food may be a trigger for exercise-induced anaphylaxis
PE for food allergies
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- •No findings are diagnostic of food allergy
- •May have evidence of atopy
- Skin: Urticaria, eczema, dermatographism, edema
- HEENT: Rhinitis, rhinorrhea, conjunctival injection, periorbital edema, tearing
- Respiratory: Wheezing, dyspnea, tachypnea, laryngeal edema
- CV: Tachycardia or bradycardia, hypotension
- GI: Abdominal tenderness, bloating
Differential Diagnoses for food allergies
- Immune reaction
- ◦Allergy
- ◦Asthma
- ◦Atopic dermatitis
- Non-immunologic adverse food reactions
- GI disorders
- ◦structural abnormality
- ◦carbohydrate malabsorption
- ◦GERD
- Toxic reactions
- ◦seafood
- ◦food poisoning
- Intolerances
- ◦pharmacologic agents
- ◦flavorings and preservatives
- Psychologic reactions
- ◦food phobia/aversion
- Accidental contaminations
- ◦pesticides
Describe the skin prick test (SPT)
***
- •Measures presence of IgE antibodies
- •Results within 30 minutes
- •Wheal=positive reaction
- •Pros: inexpensive, immediate results, performed in doctor’s office
- •Cons: false positives, antihistamines can interfere with results

- Size of wheal not indicative of how allergic*
- No antihistamine for minimum 4 weeks*
Describe in vitro testing for allergies
***
- •Measures presence of IgE antibodies to specific foods
- •Provides information about the chance there is an allergy
- •Used to be called RAST
- •Pros: test results are not affected by antihistamines, can be performed in people with extensive rashes
- •Cons: results take several days, false positives
- May have positive test to foods that do not cause actual reactions on exposure and may have negative tests to foods that do cause reactions*
- Neither IgE nor skin prick is diagnostic – suggestive along with clinical symptoms*
What is the Oral Food Challenge
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- GOLD STANDARD for diagnosis
- Ideally double blind placebo
- •Conducted under supervision of allergist
- •Start with small measured amounts
- •If no symptoms, gradually increase dose
- •If there are signs of a reaction, stop the food challenge
- •Usually reactions are mild (flushing and hives)
- •Pros: Can rule out food allergy
- •Cons: Potential serious allergic reaction






