THE PATTERN OF FOOD HYPERSENSITIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH ONSET AFTER 10 YEARS OF AGE

One hundred and twelve patients with a history of immediate adverse reaction after food ingestion and positive skin test to food are presented with the result of food challenge. In all patients the symptoms started after 10 years of age, most presented with recurrent short-lasting urticarial rash, often accompanied by rhinitis. In the majority of the patients, skin tests were positive to multiple food allergens, but 67% of these responded to oral provocation by only one allergen. One-third of the patients had a history of allergic symptoms following exercise after meals, but in only one-third of these symptoms were reproducible in the laboratory. Fruit and vegetables were the main allergens responsible for food hypersensitivity. Food allergy can develop after the first 10 years of life. Fruit and vegetables are the main cause of food allergy in these patients, while milk and egg are the least common. These findings differ from those in early childhood where milk and eggs are the main allergens.