ABSTRACT
Given increasing public awareness of food allergy and the frequent misperception that various symptoms are caused by food-induced allergic reactions, the physician must retain some scepticism throughout the evaluation and rely on objective measures to arrive at the final diagnosis. Overdiagnosis of food allergy has led to malnutrition, eating disorders and psychosocial problems (as well as family disruption), whereas underdiagnosis leaves the patient suffering unnecessarily and may result in both growth failure and permanent physical impairment.
