Food Allergy Basics

The prevalence of food allergies is rising, which means there is an increasing number of families living with fear and anxiety. The burden of food allergies can involve attempts to strictly control your environment, buying special foods, and limiting social encounters.

At LAFAI, we aim to ease those fears by placing food allergy education at our forefront. From diagnostic testing and thorough evaluations to individualized treatment plans, we help patients and their families achieve a comprehensive understanding of their food allergies every step of the way. As new developments in the field of food allergy are emerging rapidly, we will continue to support our patients and keep them informed about potential new treatment options.

What are Food Allergies?

When you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies a protein in that food to be an intruder and takes action to fight against it. This overreaction by the immune system ultimately leads to an allergic reaction. The immune response in food allergies can be IgE-mediated, non-IgE-mediated, or mixed IgE- and non-IgE-mediated. Food allergies are usually first diagnosed in young children, and they may be outgrown, however; they may also develop in older children and adults.

The foods responsible for the majority of allergic reactions include:

Cow's Milk
Peanut
Egg
Fish
Soy
Shellfish
Tree Nuts
Wheat

IgE-Mediated Food Allergies

Food allergies typically occur through an IgE-mediated pathway in which the immune system produces proteins called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) upon detection of the food allergen. These proteins travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction. Symptoms in IgE- mediated reactions are immediate, occurring within seconds to 2 hours after consuming the trigger food, and commonly include:

Hives (itchy, red rash)

Angioedema or swelling

Abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea

Throat tightness or wheezing

This type of reaction can be potentially life-threatening, leading to anaphylaxis.

Non-IgE-Mediated Food Allergies

Non-IgE-mediated reactions involve other components of the immune system, including white blood cells called T cells. Symptoms in this type of food allergy are typically delayed, occurring 4 to 48 hours after ingesting the trigger food. They are associated with rare conditions such as food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP), and food protein-induced enteropathy (FPE). Non-IgE-mediated reactions primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract, causing the symptoms of vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea.

Mixed IgE- and Non-IgE-Mediated Food Allergies

Mixed food allergy reactions involve both IgE-mediated and non-IgE- mediated immune pathways. Symptoms in this type of food allergy are also delayed, occurring 4 to 48 hours after ingesting the trigger food. They are associated with conditions such as food allergy-related atopic dermatitis (eczema), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), eosinophilic gastritis (EG), and eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE). Food allergy-related atopic dermatitis commonly presents as dry, itchy, red rashes that are worsened by exposure to the food allergen. EoE, EG, and EGE are eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) that commonly involve symptoms of decreased appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, food getting stuck in the esophagus, and vomiting.

Conditions

Anaphylaxis

Angioedema

Eczema

Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders

Latex-Fruit Syndrome

Oral Allergy Syndrome

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs within seconds up to 2 hours of exposure to something you are allergic to, including foods. In response to the food allergen, anaphylaxis causes your body to release chemical mediators that may lead to symptoms of low blood pressure, airway constriction with difficulty breathing, chest tightness, rash, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. Anaphylaxis is a systemic reaction that affects more than one part of the body at a time. It requires immediate medical attention and the injection of epinephrine.

Angioedema

Angioedema is the swelling of the deep layers of the skin and tissues that most commonly presents around the eyes, lips, tongue, hands, or feet. It can potentially be life-threatening if it occurs in the larynx, causing throat tightness and difficulty breathing. The swelling may also be accompanied by urticaria (hives), burning sensation, or pain. Allergic angioedema is the most common type and can occur due to exposure to the food you are allergic to.

Eczema

Eczema, known medically as atopic dermatitis, is the most common skin condition, especially in children, and is often associated with food allergies. The main presentation of eczema is itchy, dry, red rashes that can be worsened by scratching or eating certain foods. In infants and children, the rash often appears on the scalp, knees, elbows, and cheeks. In adults, the rash often appears on the folds of the wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, face, and neck. In children with eczema, it is important to test for food allergies to determine if food could be a contributing factor.

Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) refer to a group of conditions including eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), eosinophilic gastritis (EG), eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE), and eosinophilic colitis (EC). These conditions are characterized by a buildup of large numbers of white blood cells called eosinophils in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon. This accumulation is most often due to an allergic response to foods, especially dairy products, eggs, soy, and wheat. The eosinophils release substances into the surrounding tissues causing inflammation. As a result, children with EoE may have decreased appetite, recurring abdominal pain, vomiting, or trouble swallowing, and adults with EoE experience difficulty swallowing or food getting stuck in the esophagus. Common symptoms of the other EGIDs include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Latex-Fruit Syndrome

If you have a latex allergy, you may experience reactions to certain fruits or plant-derived foods, including avocado, banana, chestnut, and kiwi. This type of reaction, known as latex-fruit syndrome, occurs because latex shares similarly structured proteins with certain fruits, vegetables, and other plant-derived foods. Known as cross-reactivity, the immune system mistakes the proteins in these foods with the proteins in latex, releases antibodies against them, and causes an allergic reaction.

Oral Allergy Syndrome

If you suffer from specific pollen allergies, you may experience itchiness or swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat after eating raw fruits or vegetables. This form of allergic reaction is called oral allergy syndrome (OAS). This reaction occurs because the proteins found in some fruits and vegetables are very similar to those found in pollen. Known as cross-reactivity, the immune system mistakes the proteins in the raw fruit or vegetable with the proteins of the pollen you are allergic to, causing an allergic reaction. For example, if you are allergic to birch tree pollen, you may develop a reaction when you eat apples or peaches. OAS rarely leads to severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in individuals who are highly allergic.

What to expect at your visit

As a clinic rooted in the newest innovations for food allergies and immunotherapy, we go beyond the exhaustive list of therapies that don’t work and only consider groundbreaking solutions that fit our patients unique needs. We accept all major insurance plans, but due to the unique nature of our services, some may not be fully covered under insurance. Please contact our office directly to learn more!

1

Initial Consultation

The first consultation will allow us to review you or your child’s full medical history in order to determine the best course of testing and treatment options. The first consultation is a covered benefit under all major insurance plans.

2

Testing

Testing types include blood tests and skin prick testing. Depending on the symptoms and types of food sensitivities, our physicians may recommend a variety of options in order for us to pinpoint the causes and severity of the allergy.

3

Creating a Plan

We understand how limiting a food allergy can be to the life of your child and family. As a team, we will actively work together to determine the best course of care including treatment options, scheduling follow-up appointments, and working with your schedule to accommodate smooth continuity of care. We want to make sure we are as readily available as possible to answer questions, ease your concerns, and give you back the confidence you need in your daily health.

Ready to treat your allergies?

Book an appointment with us and get treated today!

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Contact
818-561-4533
hello@lafoodallergy.com
201 S Buena Vista Ste, Ste 310 Burbank CA 91505
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