Food allergy

Patients should be followed up at regular intervals to determine when they might have outgrown the food allergy, with either in vitro immunoglobulin (Ig) E testing or skin prick testing. If sensitivity to the allergen is lost then a food challenge may be considered before reintroduction into the diet. It is important to recognize that a patient may have outgrown the food allergy and still have evidence of IgE by either skin prick testing or in vitro IgE. In patients with severe symptoms and anaphylaxis, because of the possibility of a biphasic reaction or recurrence after resolution of the initial presentation, monitoring as an inpatient is indicated for 24 hours.