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Referral
Food Allergy
Scope
Anaphylaxis is an acute severe systemic reaction which is most often allergic (but can be non-allergic, previously called anaphylactoid). It is commonly associated with urticaria and angioedema and occurs within minutes (typically less than 1 hour) of a trigger (e.g., food/drug/sting). Anaphylaxis is characterised by one or more of:
i) Airway – tongue/throat swelling, difficulty talking/hoarse voice
ii) Breathing – shortness of breath, wheeze, persistent cough
iii) Circulation – persistent dizziness or collapse, loss of consciousness
iv) Neurological – sense of impending doom, visual changes
Less severe reactions are common, and warrant avoidance of the food in all cases and further investigation in certain circumstances.
Signs and Symptoms
Type 1 hypersensitivity reactions to food are usually (but not always) associated with one or more of urticaria, angioedema, or local oral symptoms, and occur within minutes (typically less than 1 hour) of ingestion. If there are associated systemic features refer to anaphylaxis guidance.
The symptoms of non-type 1 hypersensitivity (food intolerance) are often gastrointestinal only, and the timing is often not suggestive of type 1 hypersensitivity.
Eczema alone is not caused by food allergy in adults and this should not be a focus of investigation.
Clinical history and documentation of reactions is paramount. Document all new reactions promptly and thoroughly to assist in future investigation. Include:
- Foods and medications consumed within 4 hours prior to the reaction
- Activities/exercise/exposures over that period
- Tolerance of these foods/drugs since the episode (this excludes these as a cause of the reaction)
- Any dietary implications (e.g. nut allergy in a vegetarian or coeliac disease patient)
- Any other foods that are avoided and the reason for avoidance
If a food is clearly implicated request specific IgE to the particular food. There is no role for measurement of total IgE, and do not request testing against foods which were not involved, or which have been tolerated since the reaction.
Patch testing, skin prick testing, and oral food challenges should not be undertaken in primary care.
Anaphylaxis should be treated immediately according to Resuscitation Council guidelines. Acute measurement of mast cell tryptase (immediately and 2 hours after the onset of symptoms) should be performed.
1. Advise patients to avoid potential triggers identified in the history pending further investigations. If a suspected trigger has been tolerated since the reaction it is excluded as a cause.
Advise particular caution when eating away from home or with food not prepared by the patient.
2. Negative specific IgE does not completely exclude food allergy or intolerance
a. If there is strong clinical suspicion referral to a specialist allergy clinic should be considered.
3. All patients should be provided with an emergency plan.
a. Self-injectable adrenaline should be prescribed
i. Where there were features of anaphylaxis (airway, breathing, circulation, or neurological),
ii. For all patients with food allergy and a history of asthma
iii. For patients where access to emergency services might be delayed (e.g., living in a rural location, travelling to remote area with limited access to healthcare)
4. All patients must have appropriate training in use of self-injectable adrenaline.
Please see 3.4.3 Allergic emergencies for Formulary Guidance is available at including links for educational materials (including how-to videos, guides, trainer pen ordering, expiry alert service, etc)
a. Adrenaline should be co-prescribed for patients with cardiovascular disease on betablockers and/or ACE inhibitors with caution.
b. Asthma care should be optimised.
c. Any patient with a tendency to angioedema should avoid ACE-I.
5. The use of unorthodox methods of diagnosis (e.g. naturopathy, food-specific IgG testing, vega testing, kinesiology, pulse testing, hair analysis) or treatment (e.g. homeopathy, acupuncture, reflexology, chiropractic therapy, or osteopathy) has no evidence and should not be used.
Referral Criteria
- All patients with anaphylaxis (see anaphylaxis guideline).
- Patients with suspected food reactions where food trigger is not clear (e.g. negative specific IgE testing to the suspected food).
- Where multiple foods are implicated.
- Where avoidance would cause important dietary restriction (e.g. nuts in a vegetarian or coeliac disease patient).
- Where the allergy has occupational implications (e.g. military employment).
Referral Instructions
Refer to Peninsula Immunology and Allergy Service
Refer via DRSS for NHS Devon patients
e-Referrals Selection
- Specialty: Allergy
- Clinic type: Allergy
- Service: DRSS-South Devon & Torbay-Allergy- Devon ICB - 15N
Referral Forms
Patient Information
This guideline has been signed off on behalf of NHS Devon.
Publication date: March 2016
Updated: September 2023
