ABC of allergies: Food allergy

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Abstract
The public perceives food allergy differently from doctors—especially in relation to its symptoms and prevalence. In controlled scientific studies a low prevalence of food allergy has been found in British and Dutch adults, whereas the percentage of people perceiving their illness as being food dependent is much higher. The prevalence in adults, confirmed by double blind, placebo controlled food challenge, has been estimated to be 1.4%. This is in contrast to findings in children, in whom the overall prevalence of IgE mediated food allergies is 5-7%. View this table: Prevalence (%) of adverse reactions to foods in adults* Adverse reactions to foods may be classified as due to either true food allergy or non-allergic food intolerance. In contrast, food aversion refers to symptoms that are often non-specific and unconfirmed by double blind, placebo controlled food challenge. #### Types of adverse reactions to foods A true food allergy is a disorder in which ingestion of a small amount of food elicits an abnormal immunologically mediated clinical response. Food may cause allergic reactions by several mechanisms. The classic type I, IgE mediated reaction is the most thoroughly studied and potentially important in view of the risk of life threatening reactions in some people. Evidence is increasing, however, for an important role for delayed reactions (classic type IV mediated reactions). For example, eczema in children may be exacerbated by milk ingestion, and a small proportion of adults with severe contact dermatitis due to nickel may react to nickel in their diet. Common products containing preservatives Non-allergic food intolerance may be due …

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