Fast Five Quiz: Food Allergies

Michael A. Kaliner, MD

Disclosures

September 08, 2020

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)–mediated anaphylaxis is the classic form of anaphylaxis, whereby a sensitizing antigen elicits an IgE antibody response in a susceptible individual. Certain foods are more likely than others to elicit an IgE antibody response and lead to anaphylaxis. Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are the foods most often implicated in severe food-induced anaphylactic reactions, although anaphylactic reactions to a wide variety of foods have been reported.

Peanuts and tree nuts are the most common reported triggers of fatal food anaphylaxis in most series. Although cow's milk is a common cause of food anaphylaxis, especially in children, it is rarely fatal. In Australia, seafood is a more common cause of food anaphylaxis fatalities than in many other regions. Despite allergy to eggs being the most common food allergy in young children in the United Kingdom, Australia, and possibly the United States, it has a low documented rate of anaphylaxis fatalities.

Read more about common food allergy triggers.

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