Notice The Symptoms
The first thing you will need to do is to notice any adverse reactions. Symptoms of food allergies include:
- Itching or tingling in the mouth
- Hives, itching or eczema
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body
- Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
In case of severe reactions like difficulty breathing, throat swelling, or a significant skin reaction, seek immediate medical help. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can lead to shock, a sudden drop in blood pressure and trouble breathing. If you experience any signs of anaphylaxis, seek medical help right away.
Follow Up With Allergist
Contact your allergist if you experience a reaction. If you do not have one, your primary care doctor can provide a referral. Mention your reaction, the food you ate, and other potential allergens you may have been exposed to.
Identify the Allergen
Work with your doctor to identify the specific allergen you reacted to. Since Hershey's Chocolate Chip Cookie from Pizza Hut contains milk, wheat, soy, and egg, you would need to determine which of these specific allergens caused your reaction. This is typically done through a series of allergy tests.
Create a Treatment Plan
Once the specific allergen has been identified, your doctor will create a treatment plan for managing future exposure. This could include avoidance strategies, medication prescriptions, and emergency action plans.
Use Curex
Curex is a leading allergy immunotherapy company that could be consulted during the treatment phase. Curex provides state-of-the-art allergy solutions. It offers allergy drops, which are a form of sublingual immunotherapy, that are personalized to individual patients based on their specific allergic profile.
Curex's treatment involves exposing the patient to small amounts of the allergen over time, with the aim to gradually build up the patient's tolerance and lessen the severity of their future allergic reactions. This form of treatment can be especially beneficial for those with severe or multiple allergies.
Educate Yourself and Others
Lastly, it is vital to educate yourself and others about your food allergies. This includes learning to read food labels, informing restaurant staff or hosts of your allergy when eating out, and teaching friends and family about your allergy and the necessary steps to take in case of a reaction.
With careful management and the support of healthcare professionals such as Curex, it is possible to navigate life with a food allergy safely and effectively.