Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic (long-term) allergic disease that affects the esophagus – the tube that carries the water and food you swallow to the stomach. When you have EoE, eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, build up in the lining of the esophagus. Allergies, mainly to foods, cause this buildup, and it can lead to swelling, injury, and inflammation. With EoE, swallowing can become difficult, or you might feel like food is getting stuck in your throat.
Scientists know that EoE is closely linked to inflammation. EoE is a type 2 inflammatory disease that happens when the body has a strong reaction to certain allergens that are usually not harmful. (2) When these allergens touch the esophagus, the immune system in the lining of the esophagus sends signals to bring in special cells from the blood and other tissues. These cells – mostly white blood cells called eosinophils – are called upon to fight the allergens. But if too many eosinophils come, they can damage the tissue of the esophagus.(1)
Anyone can get EoE, but it is more common in males, people with other allergic conditions, and those who have family members with EoE.
Common symptoms of EoE depend on the person’s life stage.(3)
Adults:
Children:
Infants and Toddlers:
EoE can significantly affect the daily lives of those with the condition as well as their caregivers. Individuals with EoE often experience reduced quality of life (4) and heightened levels of anxiety and depression. (5) People with the condition may avoid eating and situations in which they may experience symptoms in front of others. (6) Employment or school attendance may also be impacted.
It is important to communicate any emotional health symptoms to a healthcare professional to ensure they are included in your overall treatment and management plan.
Caregivers of individuals with chronic conditions like EoE may experience heightened stress, isolation, anxiety, and depression. If experiencing these feelings or symptoms, it is essential to seek support to avoid caregiver burnout. Joining a support group, reviewing trusted caregiver resources, and engaging your friends and family network are all ways to reduce the stress of caregiving.
If food allergens cause your EoE, avoiding certain foods can help prevent your symptoms.
An elimination diet – where you remove foods purposely from your diet at different times – is created by a specialist doctor or a nutritionist and can help you find out which foods trigger your EoE. Some elimination diets focus on removing the most common triggers for several weeks until your symptoms improve. The most common food allergens include milk, wheat, eggs and soy. After avoiding some of these foods for several weeks, inflammation could have gone, and you can add them to your diet one at a time. Your healthcare provider may want an endoscopy (scope) with a biopsy to check for inflammation after adding foods back into your diet. (7)
In the past, allergy testing was used to determine your food allergies. However, this strategy was poorly effective in identifying foods causing EoE, therefore it is not recommended currently to treat most patients with EoE.(3)
Doctors sometimes recommend medication to reduce inflammation (you can think of this as swelling within the body). (3,7)
Talk to your healthcare professional about the best option for you.
Are you experiencing any of the symptoms described above? If you believe you are, it may be a good idea to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation, it could be EoE.
Early diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is crucial for preventing long-term complications and improving quality of life in adults, children, and infants or toddlers. In infants and young children, delayed diagnosis can lead to feeding difficulties, poor weight gain, and growth delays. In older children and adults, untreated EoE can result in persistent symptoms like difficulty swallowing, food impaction, and esophageal narrowing, which may require more invasive treatments.
Early recognition and treatment can help reduce inflammation, avoid permanent damage to the esophagus, and support better nutritional and developmental outcomes. Identifying EoE early also allows for timely dietary adjustments and medical therapies that can significantly reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.
This content was reviewed and validated by Dr. Alfedro Lucendo, from EUREOS, in April 2025. If you have any feedback or questions, feel free to email us at info@eoeday.org.
