title: Hot topics in paediatric immunology: IgE-mediated food allergy and allergic rhinitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The epidemic of allergic disease is a major public health crisis. The greatest burden of allergies is in childhood, when rapidly rising rates of disease are also most evident. General practitioners (GP) have a key role in recognising and addressing aller-gy-related problems and identifying whether a child requires referral to a paediatric allergist.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article focuses on IgE-mediated food allergies and allergic rhinitis, the most commonly seen conditions in paediatric im-munology. We will discuss prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Currently there is no cure for food allergy. Oral tolerance induction continues to be a significant focus of research. All children with a possible food allergy should be referred to an allergist for further testing and advice. Children who develop allergic rhinitis need a regular review by their GP. Immunotherapy should be discussed early in the disease process and needs to be com-menced by an allergist.
authors.affiliation: FRACP, MD, FRACP, Paediatric Immunologist, General Paediatrician and Emergency Physician, Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth, and Clinical Senior Lecturer, School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA. Kristina.Rueter@health.wa.gov.au.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rueter
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prescott
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D000067576:Child Health / Q000639:trends*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate; D007223:Infant; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*