Food Allergy
The best way to deal with food allergies is to stay away from the foods you are allergic to. Understand and be aware of the foods that you have reacted to. Also be cautious of foods or dishes that may have flavorings or small amounts of foods that you are allergic to.
Symptoms of food allergy may start within minutes, but they can start 2 hours after eating or later. Common symptoms can include:
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Diarrhea or stomach cramps
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Itchy rash (hives)
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Swelling of the eyes, lips, face, or tongue
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Wheezing
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Trouble breathing or swallowing
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Throat tightness
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Dizziness or fainting
This kind of allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening. People with certain health problems, such as asthma and eczema, may be more likely to have food allergies. Foods that people are most commonly allergic to are milk or dairy products, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, shellfish, and wheat. Remember that any food can cause a reaction.
Treatment for a severe allergic reaction is a medicine called epinephrine. If you have a severe food allergy, or have had severe allergic reactions even if you don't know the cause, you should carry this medicine with you. It is available by prescription. It is also available in a lower dose form for children from your healthcare provider.
Home care
The following guidelines will help you care for yourself at home once you have been evaluated and treated in the emergency room:
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If your symptoms were moderate, they may fluctuate for the next 24 hours. It may be best to rest at home during that time.
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Don't use tobacco or alcohol because they can make symptoms worse. They can also interact with the medicines you are taking to treat the allergic reaction.
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If you know what foods caused your reaction today, stay away from them in the future. Each exposure to the food could produce the same reaction or even a worse reaction. Tell your family members, friends, and healthcare providers about your food allergy. They need to know how to give you epinephrine in case you are unable to do so yourself. This can be lifesaving.
For epinephrine auto-injectors:
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Use any site on the side of your thigh. There is no need to look for the best injection site or to give the shot in the buttocks or arm.
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Carry two epinephrine auto-injectors at all times. Many people like to keep extra auto-injectors in their purse or work bag and in easy-to-find places at home and at work.
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Make sure you regularly check the expiration dates on your epinephrine auto-injectors. Epinephrine auto-injectors usually expire within 1 year and should be replaced once expired.
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Learn how to read food labels so you can check for the substance that you reacted to. If a food does not have a label, it is best to avoid it. When in restaurants, ask about ingredients and tell the staff, "If I eat a dish containing (food you are allergic to), I could have a severe allergic reaction."
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Get a medical alert bracelet or necklace that notes your allergy.
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If epinephrine is prescribed, carry it with you at all times. Learn how to use the device. If you begin to feel the symptoms of another reaction, use the epinephrine right away and call 911. Don’t wait until symptoms become severe.
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Oral allergy medicines (such as diphenhydramine or cetirizine) may have been suggested by your healthcare provider for a mild allergic reaction once you have been evaluated. These are called antihistamines and may help with itching. You can buy them at any pharmacy or supermarket. They come in liquids, pills, or capsules. However, these medicines will not stop a severe allergic reaction and may mask symptoms as they progress. Antihistamines are not a replacement for epinephrine in the treatment of a severe allergic reaction. Allergy medicines can make you sleepy, so be careful. Do not drive or operate heavy or dangerous machinery unless your healthcare provider says it's OK. For this reason, you may want to use lower doses during the day and save the higher doses for bedtime. Don't use antihistamines if you have glaucoma without checking with your eye care provider first or if you are a man with trouble urinating because of an enlarged prostate.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your healthcare provider. If you don't know what caused this reaction, your provider may order skin tests and blood tests, or an elimination diet. You can find an allergy specialist in your area by contacting:
Call 911
If any of these occur, give yourself epinephrine and call 911:
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Your symptoms are getting worse
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Any trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing
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Any change in level of alertness or unconsciousness, including dizziness, weakness, or fainting
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Cool, moist, or pale skin
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Fast, weak heartbeat
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Wheezing
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Hives or itchy and blotchy skin rash
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Swelling of the face, tongue, or lips
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Drooling
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Severe belly pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea that happens soon after eating a food you think you are allergic to