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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Complications of food allergy can include:

  • Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
  • Atopic dermatitis (eczema). About one in three people with atopic dermatitis also have a food allergy.
  • Migraines. Histamines, released by your immune system during an allergic reaction, have been shown to trigger migraines in some people.

While some people think food allergies are linked to childhood hyperactivity and to arthritis, there's no evidence to support this.

References
  1. Food allergy: An overview. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/foodAllergy/PDF/foodallergy.pdf. Accessed Jan. 20, 2009.
  2. Nowak-Wegrzyn A, et al. Adverse reactions to foods. Medical Clinics of North America. 2006;90:97.
  3. Keet CA, et al. Food allergy and anaphylaxis. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. 2007;27:193.
  4. Hoffman A, et al. Pollen food allergy syndrome: Update on the allergens. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. 2008;8:413.
  5. Atkins D. Food allergy: Diagnosis and management. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35:119.
  6. Lack G. Food allergy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;359:1252.
  7.  Li JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 30, 2009.
  8. Ko J, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by food-allergic patients. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2006;97:365.
  9. Li X. Traditional Chinese herbal remedies for asthma and food allergy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2007;120:25.
  10. Teuber SS, et al. Unproved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to food allergy and intolerance. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003;3:217.

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Feb. 14, 2009

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