Ten steps in the prevention and treatment of food allergy and anaphylaxis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13112/pc.1139Keywords:
Food Hypersensitivity; Anaphylaxis; Epinephrine; Delivery of Health Care; ParentsAbstract
Serious allergic reactions develop within minutes or several hours after exposure to an allergen. In children, the majority of serious allergic reactions are caused by food allergens. Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that occurs rapidly and can cause death. Intramuscularly applied adrenaline is the first-line therapy for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Adrenaline autoinjectors should be prescribed to all patients who have had an anaphylactic reaction or are at high risk of developing one. Adrenaline autoinjectors should be used by parents, teachers, or older children in all anaphylactic reactions, including those less severe. Parents, children, and teachers should be regularly educated on how to use adrenaline autoinjectors. Children with severe food allergies and their parents face a high risk of severe allergic reactions during everyday life. The collaboration of children, parents, teachers, primary care specialists and allergologists, as well as the healthcare system and food industry is important to minimize the burden of severe food allergy.
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