Health Professionals

Diagnosing food allergy should be undertaken according to the principles of the NICE food allergy guidance, 2011. These principles comprise of:

• Recognising the broad range of possible presenting symptoms
• Taking an allergy focused clinical history
• Deciding from the history whether it is IgE (immediate) or non-IgE (delayed) mediated allergy
• Testing according to suspected mechanism (allergy tests or exclusion trials)
• Providing information and support
• Referring as appropriate

The online assessment (coming soon) form should be completed by the parent/ carer of their infant/ child with unresolved symptoms related to the gut, skin and/ or respiratory system. This assessment provides a thorough allergy focused clinical history. The printout obtained following completion of the online tool will suggest whether food allergy is likely, whether the mechanism is IgE or non-IgE mediated allergy and therefore what type of allergy testing is indicated. It will also highlight the possible differential diagnoses of gastro-oesophageal reflux and lactose intolerance. To ensure patient safety, FANS insist that the results are discussed with the child’s GP or paediatrician before any recommendations are acted on.

If food allergy is indicated, the family will need dietary information and support from a dietitian, as outlined in the consultation. To ensure that FANS are aware of all pertinent medical/ social factors, and a physical examination has been carried out as part of the overall allergy assessment process, a private medical referral to Dr Lisa Waddell, a highly experienced paediatric food allergy dietitian using the FANS referral form can be printed off, faxed or posted. Alternatively, an NHS referral can be made to a local community paediatric dietitian.

The resulting printout is only as good as the initial information provided, and the tool will need to go through rigorous validation by research. In the meantime, feedback regarding the tool would be most welcome.