The prevalence of food allergy in Australia has increased dramatically in recent years. Around one in 20 children and one in 100 adults will suffer from a food allergy. Around one in 200 Australian children will be allergic to peanuts—double the figure just five years ago. Hospitalisation for food anaphylaxis—a severe and potentially life threatening allergic reaction—has doubled over the past decade in Australia, and increased fivefold in young children.

Many food allergies pass over time; some stay for life; some reactions become more severe with each exposure. Avoidance is often the only method of prevention. Severe food allergies can be fatal. However, most food allergies in infants and children are transient and not severe. Food intolerance, sensitivity and other adverse reactions are not allergies, even though some of the symptoms may be similar. Distinguishing between these requires careful medical diagnosis.

Food allergy is invariably complex and often severe. Correct and timely medical diagnosis is essential. In severe food allergy cases, a thorough management plan is vital.

Non-medical methods of testing for allergy—such as Vega, Alcat, kinesiology, iridology and pulse testing—are not recognised as accurate or reliable. The procedures are not proven, and the results are neither consistent nor reproducible. These techniques often result in false diagnosis, and treatment with remedies that are neither required nor proven effective. These tests and treatments are often also very expensive.

In the case of food allergy, incorrect diagnosis and treatment can have serious consequences.

(In June 2011, the Federal Court imposed penalties totalling $185 000 against two companies and two individuals for making false claims and misleading consumers about their allergy testing and treatment procedures. Read the ACCC’s media release here.)

Causes

Many different types of food can produce an allergic reaction. Some of the more common ones include:

• eggs

• milk and dairy products

• peanuts

• tree nuts

• sesame seeds

• shellfish

• fish

• soybeans

• wheat

Symptoms

• hives

• swollen eyes, lips, tongue and throat (angioedema)

• stomach pain

• vomiting

• diarrhoea

• runny or blocked nose

• sneezing

• coughing

• wheezy breathing

• hoarse voice

• lethargy

• dizziness

• fainting

• anaphylaxis

Treatment

Once the food allergy has been correctly identified, the condition can be effectively managed and treated in a number of ways:

• managing/avoiding allergic triggers

• elimination diet

• antihistamines

• corticosteroids

• immunotherapy or desensitisation

• hypoallergenic infant formula

• anaphylaxis action plan

• adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen or Anapen)

Allergy Medical’s Anaphylaxis Workshop provides regular classes on anaphylaxis management and treatment.

The first step to allergy prevention is correctly identifying the cause

• How Allergy Medical can help