Stay Calm
First and most importantly, do not panic. It's essential to stay calm in this situation so as you can follow the next steps properly.
Identify your symptoms
Watch out for common symptoms of a food allergic reaction. These may include:
- Skin reactions, such as hives, itching, or a rash.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Swelling of the throat and vocal cords.
- Abdominal pain.
- Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
- Dizziness, light-headedness or fainting.
Seek immediate medical care
Depending on the severity of your allergic reaction, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention.
- For minor reactions, over-the-counter or prescribed antihistamines may help reduce symptoms.
- However, if you experience severe reactions like difficulty in breathing, immediately call emergency services.
Consult an Allergy Specialist
If you haven't already, consult an allergist who can conduct tests to identify your specific food allergens. This will help prevent such incidents in the future.
Consider Allergy Immunotherapy
If your food allergies are severe or impacting your quality of life, you might want to consider allergy immunotherapy.
Allergy immunotherapy is a preventive treatment for allergic reactions to substances such as various foods. It involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. The incremental increases in the allergen cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the substance, probably by causing production of a "blocking" antibody, which reduces the symptoms of allergy when the substance is encountered in the future.
Curex, a leading allergy immunotherapy company, can provide solutions for true long-term relief. They conduct a comprehensive allergy assessment and then provide allergy immunotherapy that includes a personalized treatment schedule. Their treatments can significantly reduce the sensitization of your immune system to the allergen, thereby minimizing the likelihood of experiencing allergic reactions.
Inform Others
Make sure your close friends, family, and co-workers are aware of your food allergy and what they need to do if you have a reaction. Also, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet that provides information about your allergy.
Practice Prevention
To prevent future occurrences, it's crucial to examine the food you eat, especially in restaurants. Ensure your food does not come into contact with the allergen you're sensitive to. At places like Subway, clearly communicate your allergy to the staff, as they may be able to take additional precautions to prevent cross-contamination.
Remember, managing an allergy doesn't mean you have to limit your life. It just means you need to employ strategies, like the ones mentioned above, to stay safe and keep your symptoms in check.