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Summary
Multiple food allergy, affecting over three foods, is common in boys and women. Most patients also have inhalant allergies, suggesting a shared underlying mechanism for various allergies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Multiple food allergy is defined as sensitivity to three or more foods.
- Understanding the demographics, clinical impact, and common triggers of multiple food allergy is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report findings from a study of 250 private patients with multiple food allergy.
- To identify patient demographics, clinical manifestations, and prevalent allergens associated with multiple food allergy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 250 private patients diagnosed with multiple food allergy.
- Assessment of patient demographics, clinical symptoms, and allergen reactivity (both food and airborne).
Main Results:
- Multiple food allergy affects both sexes and all ages, with higher prevalence in boys and women.
- Clinical manifestations resemble inhalant allergy but involve more widespread systemic disturbances.
- 86% of patients exhibited reactivity to airborne allergens (molds, pollens, dust, dander), indicating a potential link between food and inhalant allergies.
Conclusions:
- Multiple food allergy is a significant condition with distinct demographic patterns.
- The high co-occurrence of inhalant allergy suggests that food and inhalant allergies may share fundamental immunological pathways.
- Common food allergens include milk, chocolate, corn, egg, tomato, peanut, and citrus fruits.