Foods are common elicitors of allergic reactions. Whereas the majority of symptoms are mild, fatal reactions do occur. Foods represent the most common elicitor of anaphylaxis treated in emergency departments. Fatal anaphylaxis is caused by food in 1/3 of the cases, especially by peanuts, tree nuts, cows milk, shellfish and fish. Asthma bronchiale is the principal risk factor for a fatal reaction. Whereas a large inter- and intraindividual variability does exist, often minute amounts of food are sufficient to result in serious reactions. Although the majority of patients do know about their food anaphylaxis, many are not able to avoid the offending food completely. Education and training of patients and treating physicians is necessary. Thus, an anaphylaxis training and educational program is being constructed by the Arbeits-gemeinschaft Anaphylaxie Training and Education (AGATE) to better protect patients with prior anaphylaxis.     «

Foods are common elicitors of allergic reactions. Whereas the majority of symptoms are mild, fatal reactions do occur. Foods represent the most common elicitor of anaphylaxis treated in emergency departments. Fatal anaphylaxis is caused by food in 1/3 of the cases, especially by peanuts, tree nuts, cows milk, shellfish and fish. Asthma bronchiale is the principal risk factor for a fatal reaction. Whereas a large inter- and intraindividual variability does exist, often minute amounts of food are...     »