Lesson 1Prescribing and teaching epinephrine auto-injector use (who needs one, demonstration, action plans, carrying and storage)This lesson covers selecting patients for epinephrine auto-injectors, choosing devices, doses, hands-on training, practice sessions, written plans, safe keeping, carrying tips, and addressing fears among patients and families in Eritrea.
Identifying patients who need auto-injectorsSelecting device type and appropriate doseStep-by-step injection demonstrationCreating individualized emergency action plansCounseling on carriage, storage, and expiryAddressing fears and adherence barriersLesson 2Immunology of IgE-mediated and non-IgE food reactions (mechanisms, typical timing, co-factors)This lesson describes IgE and non-IgE food reaction paths, involving mast cells, signals, and body parts affected. It covers timing, factors like exercise or painkillers, and links to symptoms and dangers in local diets.
Sensitization and IgE production to food proteinsEffector phase: mast cells, basophils, mediatorsNon-IgE mechanisms and mixed phenotypesTypical timing of immediate and delayed reactionsRole of cofactors: exercise, alcohol, NSAIDsImmunologic basis of reaction severity and thresholdsLesson 3Allergy testing strategy (indications and interpretation of skin prick testing, serum specific IgE, component-resolved diagnostics, limitations and false positives)This lesson reviews when to test for food allergies, comparing skin pricks, blood IgE, and detailed component tests, interpreting results, values, pitfalls, false alarms, and matching with patient stories for accurate diagnosis.
When to order food allergy testingSkin prick testing technique and safetySerum specific IgE: uses and cutoffsComponent-resolved diagnostics in food allergyFalse positives and overdiagnosis risksIntegrating test results with clinical historyLesson 4Acute management in primary care (recognizing anaphylaxis, epinephrine indications, adjunctive medicines—antihistamines, corticosteroids, bronchodilators)This lesson details handling food reactions in clinics, spotting anaphylaxis quickly, when and how to give epinephrine shots, and using extra aids like antihistamines, steroids, breath openers, and watching patients closely.
Triage and early recognition of anaphylaxisEpinephrine dosing, route, and repeat criteriaAdjunctive antihistamines and corticosteroidsBronchodilators for lower airway involvementObservation periods and discharge criteriaWhen and how to activate emergency servicesLesson 5Food avoidance counseling and labeling literacy (reading menus, cross-contamination risk, restaurant safety communication)This lesson trains on advising strict food avoidance, reading labels and warnings, spotting mixing risks in homes or eateries, and clear talks with restaurants, schools, and families to avoid reactions in Eritrea.
Core principles of strict food avoidanceDecoding ingredient lists and allergen labelsUnderstanding precautionary advisory statementsPreventing cross-contact in home kitchensRestaurant risk assessment and safe orderingCounseling schools, camps, and caregiversLesson 6Referral and follow-up (when to refer for oral food challenge, allergy specialist workup, long-term monitoring)This lesson explains referring for specialist checks like food trials or advanced tests, setting follow-up times, watching for changes, and updating plans and avoidance tips for long-term safety.
Indications for allergy specialist referralCriteria for supervised oral food challengeCoordinating care with dietitians and schoolsMonitoring for tolerance development over timeUpdating action plans and prescriptionsSupporting psychosocial and quality-of-life needsLesson 7Focused history for suspected food allergy (meal details, timing, reproducibility, dose, previous exposures, exercise/alcohol co-factors, prior reactions)This lesson builds skills for targeted allergy histories, covering meal details, symptom timing, repeatability, amounts, past contacts, factors like exercise or drinks, and old reactions to inform tests and advice.
Structuring the acute reaction interviewDocumenting meal contents and preparationOnset timing and symptom progressionAssessing reproducibility and dose dependenceExploring exercise, alcohol, and NSAID cofactorsCapturing prior reactions and baseline atopyLesson 8Differential diagnoses (food intolerance, scombroid, histamine toxicity, chronic spontaneous urticaria)This lesson lists main mimics of food allergy, like intolerances, fish poisoning, histamine overload, and ongoing hives, with signs, tests, and treatment differences for clear diagnosis in Eritrean practice.
Distinguishing allergy from food intoleranceRecognizing scombroid and fish-related histamineOther causes of histamine toxicity syndromesChronic spontaneous urticaria and angioedemaMedication and infection-related mimickersTargeted investigations for alternative diagnosesLesson 9Physical exam and identification of anaphylaxis vs isolated urticaria/angioedema (airway, cardiovascular, respiratory signs, skin assessment)This lesson teaches body checks for possible anaphylaxis, stressing airway, heart, breathing, and skin reviews. It helps separate severe cases from simple hives or swelling, spotting urgent needs for epinephrine.
Rapid primary survey: airway, breathing, circulationKey skin findings in acute allergic reactionsRespiratory signs of evolving anaphylaxisCardiovascular and neurologic red flagsDistinguishing localized angioedema from anaphylaxisDocumentation of exam findings in emergencies
