[Food allergy from school age to adulthood]

In young children food allergy is mainly acquired over the gastrointestinal tract and directed to egg and milk. Patients at school age or adult patients, however, often acquire a food allergy over a primary sensitisation to inhalant allergens, in Switzerland primarily over birch pollen. This type of food allergy is directed to plant foods. Apple and hazelnut are the most prevalent allergenic foods in this age group. A birch pollen related food allergy is often accompanied by mild allergic symptoms such as the oral contact urticaria. The relevant allergens are labile to heat and are often tolerated in heat processed form. Severe up to anaphylactic symptoms, however, have been reported in birch pollen related soy allergy. Physical exercise, intake of alcohol, NSAIDs, betablocking agents or eventually antacids may aggravate the severity of a food allergic reaction.