This document discusses food allergies, including that an estimated 15 million people in the US have food allergies, with nearly 6 million children affected. It explains that a food allergy is an abnormal immune system response, while a food intolerance is due to an inability to digest certain foods. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from mild to severe and include hives, difficulty breathing, and anaphylaxis. Food allergies are diagnosed through skin prick tests, blood tests, and medical history. Management involves strictly avoiding trigger foods, reading labels, asking about ingredients when eating out, and having emergency epinephrine on hand.

1. Food Allergy

2. � Introduction to Food Allergies „
� Allergy versus Intolerance „
� The Immune System „
� Reactions to an Allergen
� „Diagnosis of a Food Allergy „
� Managing Food Allergies „
Prevention/Delaying Allergic
Disease
Presentation Outline

3. � As many as 15 million people have food allergies.
� An estimated 9 million, or 4%, of adults have food
allergies.
� Nearly 6 million or 8% of children have food
allergies with young children affected most.
� According to a study released in 2013 by the
Canters for Disease Control and Prevention, food
allergies among children increased approximately
50% between 1997 and 2011. (Food Allergy
Research & Education)
Overview

4. When the body’s immune system mistakenly
believes a harmless substance is harmful to the
body. It tries to protect the body by releasing
histamines and IgE antibodies to attack the
substance.
What is a Food Allergy?

5. Food allergy
Food allergy is an abnormal response
to a food triggered by the body’s
immune system. Allergic reactions to
food can cause serious illness or even
death.
Food intolerance
An abnormal physiological response to
eating. Food intolerance is caused by
the lack of our body’s
ability to digest certain substances.
Some people may have a food
intolerance that has a psychological
trigger.
Food allergy is different with food intolerance
although both can show similar symptoms.

6. � An immediate allergic reaction involves two actions of
our immune system:
� Our immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE)
a type of protein that works against a specific food
antibody.
� IgE attaches basophils (white blood cells) and to mast
cells – cells found in all body tissues. The typical sites of
allergic reactions include nose, throat, lungs, skin and
GI
tract.
How do allergic reactions work?

7. � Food allergens are proteins
within the food that
enter our bloodstream after the
food is digested.
� Food allergen go to target
organs such as skin,
nose, etc and cause allergic
reactions.
� An allergic reaction to food
can take place within
few minutes to an hour.
How do allergic reactions work?

8. Most Common Food Allergens

9. For some people, an allergic reaction to a particular
food may be uncomfortable but not severe. For
other people, an allergic food reaction can be
frightening and even life-threatening. Food allergy
symptoms usually develop within a few minutes to
two hours after eating the offending food.
Symptoms

10. � Tingling or itching in the mouth
� Hives, itching or eczema
� Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat or other
parts of the body
� Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
� Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
� Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
The most common
food allergy signs and
symptoms include:

11. � Symptoms can range from
mild to severe. Severe, life
threatening reactions are
called anaphylaxis.
� 40-50% of people
diagnosed with food
allergies are judged to
have a high risk of
anaphylaxis.
Symptom Reactions

12. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of
allergic reaction and is potentially life
threatening. and symptoms, including:
� Constriction and tightening of the
airways
� A swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in your
throat that makes it difficult to breathe
� Shock with a severe drop in blood pressure
� Rapid pulse
� Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness
� Emergency treatment is critical for anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis

13. 1.Test it
2.First Aid
3.Read the Label
4.Always Ask
Management of food allergy

14. Diagnosis of allergy is based on a
combination of:
� Clinical history.
� Skin tests
Identifying the type of IgE that is fixed to the skin
mast cell. For example: scratch test.
� Blood tests These tests measure the presence of
food-specific IgE in blood and
the total IgE level in blood.
Point 1- Test it

15. Procedure for skin prick test

16. Point 2- First Aid
122

17. � 1. Always read food labels before you use them.
� 2. Remember to check the ingredients every time .
Point 3-Read the Label

18. � Tell restaurant
� Ask about the dishes
� Ask about cross contamination
� Avoid self-service area
Point 4- Always Ask

19. � It is important to understand there is currently no cure of food
allergies
� staying away from the food that causes food allergies is the
best way to avoid the allergies
� The most common food allergens include peanuts, milk, eggs, tree
nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat — these foods account for
about 90% of all allergic reaction
� Food allergy is treated primarily by dietary avoidance
People who have food allergies must identify and prevent
them because, although usually mild and not severe, these
reactions can cause devastating illness and, in rare instances,
can be fatal
Conclusion

20. Thanks