What Are Common Cross-reactivities with Other Allergens?

Discussion The most common allergic foods are cow’s milk (most common), egg, peanut, tree nut, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. Egg, milk, soy and wheat tend to occur in young children and these are more likely to be outgrown over time. Peanut, tree nut, shellfish, and fish occur at all ages and are less likely to be outgrown. Peanut and tree nut allergies also tend to be more severe than other foods. Ninety percent of food fatalities were attributed to tree nuts and peanuts. In a study of anaphylaxis in schools, food was the most likely trigger (54%) with nuts and fruits being the most commonly identified foods. Co-factors of food-induced anaphylaxis include asthma, exercise, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, infections and alcohol. Treatment for food allergy is strict avoidance of the food(s), management and avoidance of potential co-factors, and immediate management of reactions. Immunotherapy is one option for some allergens and a review of its indications can be found here. Cross-reactivities within a plant group are common. For example the Rosacae family has many agriculturally important trees and plants and cross-reactivities between the them is common. Cross-reactivity syndromes do occur. Oral allergy syndrome or pollen food allergy syndrome is caused by shared homology between pollens, fruits, vegetables and tree nuts. Patients usually are sensitized to an environmental pollen and then have reactions with oral ingestion of various foods. Symptoms are usu...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news