Food Allergies
Food Allergy
An immune reaction to a specific food — peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, wheat, or soy — that can range from mild itching to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Testing identifies your triggers; treatment includes avoidance, emergency plans, and oral immunotherapy.
Medically Reviewed
Dr. Payel Gupta, MD
Triple Board-Certified Allergist & Immunologist
Last reviewed: May 2026
Overview
Food allergies affect approximately 8% of children and 4% of adults. They can be IgE-mediated (immediate reactions) or non-IgE-mediated (delayed reactions), requiring different evaluation and management approaches.
types
ige
Immediate reactions (minutes to 2 hours) with symptoms like hives, swelling, anaphylaxis. Common triggers: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, soy, wheat.
non Ige
Delayed reactions (hours to days) with symptoms like eczema, GI symptoms. Examples: food protein-induced enterocolitis (FPIES), eosinophilic esophagitis.
symptoms
mild
- Hives
- Itching
- Mild swelling
- Nausea
severe
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of throat/tongue
- Drop in blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
- Anaphylaxis
evaluation
history
Detailed reaction history, timing, symptoms, and suspected foods
testing
- Skin prick testing
- Serum IgE testing (component-resolved diagnostics for nuts)
- Oral food challenges (gold standard for diagnosis)
challenge
Supervised in-clinic challenges to confirm or rule out allergies safely
management
avoidance
- Strict avoidance of identified allergens
- Reading food labels carefully
- Educating family, schools, and caregivers
- Carrying epinephrine auto-injectors
epinephrine
- Prescribe for all patients with IgE-mediated food allergies
- Train on proper use
- Have 2 devices available at all times
- Use at first sign of severe reaction
action Plan
Written emergency action plan with clear instructions
prevention
early Introduction
Early introduction of allergenic foods (around 4-6 months) may help prevent development of food allergies
breastfeeding
Continue breastfeeding while introducing solid foods
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific needs and create a personalized treatment plan.