Food allergy: myth or reality?
André, C.; André, F.; Cavagna, S.
Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica 51(2): 159-168
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 1784-3227 PMID: 3232494 Document Number: 307313
Food allergy is often the first clinical expression of atopy. Sensitization is dependent on a genetic alteration of the intestinal immune system and on favouring agents (often infections). Food allergy provokes various symptoms and enhances the intestinal permeability to macromolecules. To assess the diagnosis of food allergy, the hypersensitivity must be proved and the implication of particular antigens must be confirmed by provocation tests. The evolution of food allergy is difficult to predict: suspected foodstuffs are eliminated from the diet; oral administration of cromoglycate may then be associated; later on the allergens may be reintroduced under the same drug-cover, which can, with time, induce a remission by desensitization.