The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) released new guidelines on the diagnosis and management of food allergies on December 6, 2010.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) funded the research and development of the new guidelines. The goal of the NIAID was to create standard clinical practice guidelines for family doctors, emergency room practitioners, and specialists other than just allergists.
The new guidelines are the result of two years of work involving 34 different government agencies, doctor associations, and patient groups. Over 500 people commented during a public comment period in the spring of 2010, and comments were incorporated into the draft guidelines.
The guidelines cover these topics:
- Definitions: What food allergies are and how the differ from intolerances.
- Frequency: The most common food allergies, and how frequent they are.
- Diagnostic techniques: While blood and skin tests are important diagnostic tools, food allergies can only be diagnosed by oral food challenge, which should be done in a doctor's office.
- Anaphylaxis: Symptoms of anaphylaxis and the importance of administering epinephrine immediately.
- Treatment: There is no cure for food allergies at this time, and the most important treatments are avoidance of allergic triggers and being prepared for emergencies.
A summary of the report written for patients is available on the NIAID website. The complete report is available free of charge on the website of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
