In simple words: Severe allergic reaction caused by food.

Anaphylactic reaction due to an adverse food reaction. This includes anaphylactic shock or reaction due to nonpoisonous foods and anaphylactoid reaction due to food.

Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency department with hives, shortness of breath, and dizziness after eating peanuts. They have a known peanut allergy. The physician diagnoses anaphylactic reaction due to food (T78.0)., A child experiences vomiting and swelling of the face and throat after consuming shellfish. The child is diagnosed with anaphylactic reaction due to food (T78.0) and treated with epinephrine., A patient with a history of milk allergy accidentally consumes a dairy product. They develop severe itching, swelling, and difficulty breathing, characteristic of an anaphylactic reaction due to food (T78.0).

Diagnosis of anaphylaxis should be supported by clinical findings such as hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms after exposure to food. Documentation should include the specific food allergen if known, the time of onset of symptoms, and the severity of the reaction. Any treatment administered, such as epinephrine, should also be documented. A past medical history of allergies can also help strengthen the diagnosis.

** For anaphylactic reactions due to other causes, refer to other T codes within the range T78.0 - T88.6.