Patient information: A guide to food and drug allergies

FOOD AND DRUG ALLERGY OVERVIEW

Food and drug allergies are a potentially dangerous reaction that occurs when your body recognizes a food or medication as harmful. Food and drug allergies can cause a mild allergic reaction, with skin itching and redness. In more serious cases, food and drug allergies can cause swelling of the throat and trouble breathing.

People of any age can have food or drug allergies. It is usually not clear why food and drug allergies develop. Being aware of foods and medicines that you are allergic to is an important first step in managing your health. This may include seeing an allergist and having allergy testing.

Learning how to deal with food and drug allergies is the second step in living with allergies. This includes knowing the early signs of an allergic reaction, learning how to use anti-allergy medications at home, and knowing when to call for emergency help.

UPTODATE FOOD AND DRUG ALLERGY RESOURCES

Patient information — UpToDate has a number of articles for family members and patients living with food and drug allergies.

  (see "Patient information: Food allergy symptoms and diagnosis")

  (see "Patient information: Food allergy treatment and avoidance")

  (see "Patient information: Allergy to penicillin and related antibiotics")

  (see "Patient information: Hives (urticaria)")

  (see "Patient information: Anaphylaxis treatment and prevention")

Premium subscription information — More detailed information is also available by subscription.

  (see "Clinical manifestations of food allergy: An overview")

  (see "Clinical manifestations of oral allergy syndrome (pollen-food allergy syndrome)")

  (see "Diagnosis and management of oral allergy syndrome (pollen-food allergy syndrome)")

  (see "Diagnostic tools for food allergy")

  (see "Food allergen avoidance")

  (see "Food allergy in schools and camps")

  (see "Allergic and asthmatic reactions to food additives")

  (see "Food-induced anaphylaxis")

  (see "Oral food challenges for diagnosis and management of food allergies")

  (see "The natural history of childhood food allergy")

  (see "Food allergy: Impact on health-related quality of life")

  (see "Future diagnostic tools for food allergy")

  (see "Future therapies for food allergy")

  (see "Nutritional issues in food allergy")

  (see "Primary prevention of allergic disease: Maternal avoidance diets in pregnancy and lactation")

  (see "Role of allergy in atopic dermatitis (eczema)")

  (see "Seafood allergies: Fish and shellfish")