Food allergies represent a significant public health concern, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Globally, food allergies affect approximately 220-250 million people, including 33 million in the United States. Certain populations, including children, people with lower household incomes, and people from racial and ethnic minority groups, are disproportionately impacted by food allergies.
Family physicians are often the first point of contact for patients with suspected food allergies and are integral in allergy management through early detection, education, treatment, and referrals to specialists. While epinephrine and avoidance strategies remain critical, the development of new medications that prevent anaphylaxis may offer better protection and a higher quality of life for those affected. Ongoing research and increased access to treatments are essential to address the disparities in care and improve outcomes for all populations.
This page features excerpts from the "Talking to Your Patients About IgE-Mediated Food Allergy: A Conversation Guide", which includes resources that help you deliver equitable, patient-centered care for your patients with food allergies.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergic reactions are associated with a variety of symptoms that can affect the cutaneous, digestive, respiratory and cardiovascular systems and typically appear within a few minutes to two hours after a food allergen is ingested.
You can empower patients by providing clear guidance on distinguishing a food allergy from a food intolerance, reading food labels, communicating effectively in restaurants and planning for emergencies. In addition, addressing your patients’ health literacy is essential to support safe, informed decision-making.
Effective food allergy management requires a comprehensive approach that includes advising patients to avoid specific foods, planning for emergencies and considering available treatment options. Living with a food allergy — or taking care of someone who has one — can be very stressful, so it is also important to address the psychological needs of patients and their caregivers.
AAI = adrenaline auto-injector; EPIT = epicutaneous immunotherapy; OIT = oral immunotherapy; SLIT = sublingual immunotherapy.