[Food allergies/prevention and diagnosis]

Both immunological (antibody-mediated) and non-immunological mechanisms can trigger allergic reactions and intolerance phenomena to food. A decisive contribution to the genesis of a food allergy is the interaction of "external" factors such as early ingestion of antigens, no breast-feeding, enteritis, and "internal" ones such as genetic influences, a family history of allergies. Correct diagnosis is guided and determined by anamnestic information, identification of characteristic signs and symptoms after ingestion of a particular foodstuff (allergen elimination or provocation), skin test, release of histamine from leucocytes, exclusion or confirmation of other causes and the detection of an immunological equivalent for the patient's disease. The article also includes recommendations on allergen avoidance and for avoiding influences that could provoke a food allergy.