ABSTRACT
Conclusion 340 Acknowledgements 340 References 340 Further reading 341
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this chapter, the reader should be able to accomplish the following: 1 Define allergy
2 Describe the basic immunology of allergic disease
3 Define its spectrum of problems: the atopic march
4 Define food allergy and identify IgE-mediated food allergy
5 Describe how food allergy is diagnosed, with specific reference to the role and responsibilities of the nurse, including taking an allergy history and allergy testing: skin prick testing; blood sample for specific IgE; food challenge
6 Explore teaching a family about food allergy: avoidance of the allergen; rescue medicines; food allergy in schools; how to treat an allergic reaction; the use of an adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjector
Allergy is a major health concern in the developed world. The prevalence of allergic disease has risen substantially in recent years.1 Atopy includes four allergic diseases: eczema, food allergy, asthma and rhinitis (hay fever).
