Pathologic Function
food allergy
[ food al-er-jee ]
Subclass of:
Immediate hypersensitivity
Definitions related to food allergy:
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An allergic reaction triggered by exposure to allergens found in food; exposure can occur through the skin, respiratory tract or digestive tract.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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An allergy to a substance generally consumed for nutritional purposes.NCI Health Level 7 VocabularyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2018
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Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by your body's immune system. In adults, the foods that most often trigger allergic reactions include fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts, such as walnuts. Problem foods for children can include eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and wheat. The allergic reaction may be mild. In rare cases it can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of food allergy include Itching or swelling in your mouth; Vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps and pain; Hives or eczema; Tightening of the throat and trouble breathing; Drop in blood pressure. Your health care provider may use a detailed history, elimination diet, and skin and blood tests to diagnose a food allergy. When you have food allergies, you must be prepared to treat an accidental exposure. Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace, and carry an auto-injector device containing epinephrine (adrenaline). You can only prevent the symptoms of food allergy by avoiding the food. After you and your health care provider have identified the foods to which you are sensitive, you must remove them from your diet.MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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(food allergies) Sensitivities to certain foods that can cause symptoms ranging from the mild (like hives) to the life threatening (such as anaphylaxis).Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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(food hypersensitivity) Gastrointestinal disturbances, skin eruptions, or shock due to allergic reactions to allergens in food.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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Food allergy is an exaggerated immune response to dietary components, usually proteins. Manifestations vary widely and can include atopic dermatitis, gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms, and anaphylaxis. Diagnosis is by history and sometimes allergen-specific serum IgE testing, skin testing, and/or elimination diets. Treatment is...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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Food allergies are immunologically mediated adverse reactions to foods. Any food protein can trigger an allergic response, and allergic reactions to a large number of foods have been documented; however, only a small group of foods account for most of these reactions.WebMD, 2019
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Food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger signs and symptoms such as digestive problems, hives or swollen airways. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Food allergy, immunological response to a food. Although the true prevalence of food allergy is unclear, studies have indicated that about 1 to 5 percent of people have a clinically proven allergy to a food. More than 120 foods have been reported as causing food allergies, though the majority of...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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