Definition

Noun: An allergic reaction to a substance that is ingested in food. This is a specific, adverse immune system response triggered by consuming a particular food or food component.

Usage

The term "food allergy" is used to describe a medical condition. It is typically modified by specifying the particular food (e.g., peanut allergy, shellfish allergy) or discussed in general terms regarding symptoms, diagnosis, and management.

Examples

• She carries an epinephrine auto-injector because she has a severe food allergy to tree nuts.
• Common symptoms of a food allergy include hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing.
• Diagnosing a food allergy often requires skin prick tests or blood tests.
• The restaurant is very careful about cross-contamination for customers with food allergies.

Advanced Usage

• "to have a food allergy to [something]": This is the standard construction for stating the specific allergen.
  • He has a food allergy to dairy products.
• "life-threatening food allergy": Used to emphasize the potential severity of the reaction.
  • Parents of children with life-threatening food allergies must be extremely vigilant.

Variants and Related Words

• Food intolerance (noun): A digestive system response rather than an immune system response. It is often confused with a food allergy but is generally less severe (e.g., lactose intolerance).
• Allergen (noun): The specific substance that causes an allergic reaction (e.g., the allergen in peanuts is a protein).
• Anaphylaxis (noun): A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can be caused by a food allergy.

Synonyms

• Hypersensitivity (to a food): A more clinical term for an exaggerated immune response.
• Allergic response (to food): A phrase describing the reaction itself.

Related Phrases

• Food allergy awareness: Knowledge and consideration of the condition.
  • There has been a significant increase in food allergy awareness in schools.
• Food allergy action plan: A written plan detailing steps to take in case of an allergic reaction.
  • The school nurse keeps a copy of each student's food allergy action plan.

Noun

1. allergic reaction to a substance ingested in food