The management of food allergy in children

Abstract 

Food allergy is common and potentially serious. The diagnosis brings stress to families. Multidisciplinary team working across the health and education services provides rational management, support and education to families with a food allergic child. After diagnosis expert dietetic advice is the cornerstone of management but strict avoidance of the offending allergen, especially in the case of peanuts and tree nuts, can be problematic. The question of prescription of epinephrine for delivery by auto-injector to be used by children, parents and teachers still generates differing views amongst healthcare professionals. The price of failure to provide informed, comprehensive care may be children who are restricted in their life style, ever anxious families or, fortunately rarely, a fatality.

Keywords: food allergy, children, management

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• f1 Correspondence to: JW. Tel.: +44-1745-534298; Fax: +44-1745-583143. E-mail: drjeff.williams@cd-tr.wales.nhs.uk