Fast Five Quiz: Food Allergies

A properly managed, well-balanced elimination diet (eg, allergen restriction) can lead to resolution of symptoms and help to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Educate the patient and family about how to properly read food labels and identify common words that indicate the presence of the food allergen of concern.

With elimination diets, exclude only those foods confirmed to provoke allergic reactions. Review obvious and hidden sources of food allergens. Be aware of the potential for exposures by routes other than ingestion, such as skin contact or inhalation.

Anticipate potential candidates for food allergen cross-reactivity, such as the following:

Cow's milk and goat milk: > 90% of individuals allergic to cow's milk also react to goat's/sheep's milk
Tree nuts and other nuts: > 50% of individuals with an allergy to a tree nut also react to others
Fish: > 50% of individuals allergic to any finned fish are reactive to all types
Wheat and other grains: 25% of individuals with a wheat allergy react to rye and barley
Cow's milk and beef: 10% of individuals with milk allergy react to beef
Peanuts and other legumes: < 10% of individuals with a peanut allergy react to other legumes
Soy and other legumes: < 5% of individuals with a soy allergy react to other legumes
Eggs and chicken: < 5% of individuals have both allergies

Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Michael A. Kaliner. Fast Five Quiz: Food Allergies - Medscape - Sep 08, 2020.

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