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Welcome to the Allergy and Immunology website, which is designed to help you navigate your way through your allergic and immunological concerns.

The Allergy and Immunology Awareness Program (AIAP) is an HMC based program dedicated to raising awareness and understanding about these conditions.

Here you can learn about some of the basics and most common conditions, stay updated on the latest news and scientific advances for allergies and primary immunodeficiencies.

These pages also aim to support parents of children who have one or more of these conditions. As such we have stories and activities for our younger patients in the kids’ corner.

Allergic/immunological conditions usually start in childhood and most of the time, carry on well into adulthood. Not only do they have clear physical effects on a person, but also social, emotional and psychological ones, due to the chronic nature of the majority of these diseases.

Advances in medicine have made it possible to manage these diseases through pharmaceuticals as well as healthier daily choices. Living and coping with what could be the long term use of medications and lifestyle adaptations, can be a journey. As such, the AIAP was born to guide you through that journey, to simplify and create easy access to relevant information from sources you can trust.

We hope that through the resources presented on this site, we are able to link you to the information you and your family need.

 
Dr. Mehdi Adeli
MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, FAAP, A.B.A.I, A.B.P
Senior Consultant, Allergy & Immunology 
Assistant Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar
Pediatrics Department,
Hamad Medical Corporation
Food Allergy Week
May 14-20,2023
  • A food allergy is an immune system response to a food that is mistakenly believed to be harmful. The immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, including histamine, that trigger a cascade of symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, and cardiovascular system. 

  • The symptoms can be mild to moderate (itchy nose, rash, swelling of face or other area of the body, diarrhea, etc.), but they can be severe (trouble breathing, repetitive vomiting, rapid heartbeat, sharp drop in blood pressure, etc.) called anaphylaxis, which is a serious allergic reaction that comes on quickly and has the potential to become life-threatening.

  • Past reactions do not predict future reactions. You can still have a life-threatening reaction to a food you are allergic tom even if you have never had a serious reaction before.

  • 9 foods account for 90% of all food allergic reaction: peanut, tree nut, egg, soy, dairy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame. However, almost any food can cause a reaction.

  • There is no cure for food allergy, so anyone with a food allergy should carefully avoid foods that cause a reaction.
  • There are two main types of medication can be used to relieve the symptoms of an allergic reaction to food: Antihistamine can help relieve the symptoms of mild or moderate allergic reaction. Adrenaline (epinephrine) used to treat severe allergic symptoms (anaphylaxis). 
  • Prompt administration of epinephrine is crucial to surviving a potentially life-threatening reaction. Always carry two auto-injectable epinephrine devices with you and know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction.

  • Never assume something is safe. Always read all labels before eating any food product. Ingredients and/or manufacturing can change over times.

  • Cross-Contact can happen. Proper cleaning of hands, cookware, utensils, and surfaces is vital for preventing exposure to food allergens.

  • Hand sanitizing gel is not sufficient to remove allergens. Use warn soapy water.