ABSTRACT
Although IgE is associated with many food allergies, IgE independent mechanisms, many of which are unclear at present, appear to underlie other types of food allergies [7-9]. To complicate the matter further, some food allergies may involve mixed type of immune mechanisms involving both IgE antibodies and immune cells. One such condition often seen in infants and children is food-induced atopic dermatitis [7-9]. This disease often begins in infancy. Earliest lesions are erythematous, weepy patches on the cheeks with subsequent extension to other parts of the body including the face, neck, wrists, hands, and abdomen. Similar to food allergies, recent evidence also suggests that other atopic diseases (e.g., atopic rhinitis, dermatitis, and asthma) may also be classified as IgE dependent or independent [10]. There is controversial evidence that conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and migraines may also be
related to food [11, 12]. The various types of immune system-dependent food induced adverse reactions with implicated mechanism and relevant examples are summarized in Table 101.2.
