Lesson 1Prescribing and teaching epinephrine auto-injector use (who needs one, demonstration, action plans, carrying and storage)This part explains who gets epinephrine auto-injectors, picking devices, doses, and practical teaching. It stresses showing how, practising, written plans, safe keeping, carrying, and helping patients and families feel confident.
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 part describes IgE and non-IgE food reaction paths, including cell activation, body signals, and affected areas. It covers timing, factors like exercise or painkillers, and how these link to symptoms and dangers.
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 part reviews when to test for allergies, compares skin prick, blood IgE, and part-specific tests, and teaches reading results, values, pitfalls, limits, false alarms, and matching with patient stories.
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 part details handling food reactions in basic care, spotting anaphylaxis fast, when and how much epinephrine by injection, and using antihistamines, steroids, lung openers, and watching the patient.
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 part trains doctors to guide strict food avoidance, reading labels and warnings, checking cross-mix risks in places, and talking clearly with eateries, schools, and carers to stop reactions.
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 part explains referring for specialist checks, like food taste tests and advanced tests, and sets follow-up times, watching for changes, and updating plans and avoidance tips.
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 part builds skills for targeted allergy histories, covering meal parts, symptom times, repeat patterns, amount limits, past contacts, factors like exercise or drinks, and old reactions to direct 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 part lists main other causes mimicking food allergy, like food sensitivity, fish poisoning, histamine overload, and ongoing hives, with signs, tests, and treatment differences.
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 part teaches focused body checks for possible anaphylaxis, stressing airway, breathing, heart checks. It helps tell full anaphylaxis from just hives or swelling and spot urgent signs 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
