Food Allergies

Wilfredo Cosme-Blanco; Erving Arroyo-Flores; Hanadys Ale

doi:10.1542/pir.2019-0037

This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.

Download PDF

Wilfredo Cosme-Blanco, MD, PhD*
Erving Arroyo-Flores, MD†,‡
Hanadys Ale, MD§,¶,**

^*Department of Allergy and Immunology, Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan, Puerto Rico
^†Department of Allergy and Immunology, COSSMA, Las Piedras, Puerto Rico
^‡Department of Allergy and Immunology, HIMA-San Pablo Bayamon Hospital, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
^§Division of Pediatric Immunology and Allergy, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Hollywood, FL
^¶Department of Pediatrics, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL
^**Department of Pediatrics, Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL

AUTHOR DISCLOSURE
Drs Cosme-Blanco, Arroyo-Flores, and Ale have disclosed no financial relationships relevant to this article. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device.

Abstract

Food allergy is 1 of the 4 manifestations of the “atopic march,” along with eczema, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. Depending on the pathophysiologic immune mechanisms behind a food allergy, it can be classified as immunoglobulin E–mediated, non–immunoglobulin E–mediated, or mixed. The prevalence of food allergies has risen worldwide during the past few decades, becoming a significant global health concern. Patients experiencing food allergies and their caregivers are heavily burdened personally, socially, emotionally, and financially. The health-care system is also considerably affected. Pediatricians, as primary health-care providers, are often challenged with these patients, becoming the first-line for the recognition and management of food allergies. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of food allergies, including the most up-to-date information, recent guidelines, and recommendations.