Introduction
Unfortunately, it is not possible to cure the food allergy with medication. Nevertheless, these particular allergies often disappear in adulthood. In case of existing allergies, renunciation is the best and most important therapy.
Food allergy sufferers should avoid the food to which they are allergic as far as possible. Small amounts can be tolerated in the case of light allergies. In the case of allergies to different types of fruit, it is possible that the allergens can be rendered harmless during cooking.
Nevertheless, it can always happen that patients inadvertently come into contact with the allergen despite great caution. In this case, highly sensitized food allergy sufferers are recommended to carry an emergency kit with them. This usually contains a spray that keeps the airways open in case of an anaphylactic shock (see there).
For hay fever patients with cross-reaction (see above), a hyposensitization, in which the body is accustomed to ever larger amounts of the pollen allergen over a long period of time, can bring healing. This method is rarely used for food allergens, as it is very costly and not always successful. Experts argue about this possibility. It has also been shown that the risk of food allergy in children can possibly be reduced by breastfeeding and a varied diet.
Avoidance
The most important measure in case of a known food allergy is the consistent avoidance of the triggering allergen. If the allergen is no longer supplied, no more allergic symptoms occur. With some food allergies such as nut allergy, even the intake of small amounts of nut products can lead to a life-threatening allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock.
There is, however, one exception to this rule with regard to the consistent avoidance of allergens in food allergies: In childhood, cow’s milk allergy occurs relatively frequently, namely in about 2-3% of infants and toddlers. Here, too, any cow’s milk products must first be avoided completely. During the first years of life, however, most children develop a tolerance so that the slow increase of cow’s milk intake is possible again without problems. This is not the case with allergies in adulthood – such as nut allergy. In this case, a lifelong consistent avoidance of the allergy-causing products must be carried out as otherwise life-threatening allergic reactions are threatening.