PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR FOOD ALLERGY
The aim of the preventive measures described here is to reduce the child’s exposure to potent allergens, and other factors that can trigger off allergy, during the early phases of life. The measures are relevant to any Type-1 (IgE-mediated) reaction to food, whether that food causes an immediate, violent reaction centred on the mouth and lips, or a much more delayed reaction such as asthma or eczema. In general, however, the former are more difficult to prevent, because the child can become sensitized by such minute amounts of food. In the case of asthma, rhinitis and eczema, a mixture of allergens may produce symptoms: the effect of allergens in food may be exacerbated by inhaled allergens such as pollen, or by allergens touching the skin. For this reason, any preventive measures must include inhalants and contactants as well as foods.
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