Keep Calm
First and foremost, remain calm. Your stress can overwhelm you and create more discomfort. A lot depends on how severe your allergy is. If you have a mild allergy, you may experience some discomfort, such as itching or minor swelling.
Identify the Symptoms
Monitor your symptoms closely. The common symptoms of food allergies are:
- Itching or tingling in the mouth
- Swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat
- Rash or hives
- Difficulty in breathing
- Abdominal cramps, diarrhea or vomiting
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Take an Antihistamine
If you experience mild allergic reactions, over-the-counter antihistamines can help relieve symptoms when they appear. However, these are not sufficient if you have a severe allergic reaction.
Seek Emergency Medical Help
If you have a known severe allergy and carry an adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPen), use it immediately. Even if symptoms improve after treatment with an adrenaline injector, a follow up at a hospital emergency room is necessary.
Regardless, consult with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Tips to Prevent Future Exposure to Allergens
Try to prevent unintended exposure by taking these steps:
Read food labels carefully- Always read food labels before you eat. Restaurants also usually provide information about allergens in their meals.
Ask about the ingredients - When eating out or at a friend's place, don't hesitate to ask about the ingredients used.
Consider allergy immunotherapy- Allergy immunotherapy treats the root cause of allergies using a long-term approach. Products and treatments can condition your immune system not to react to allergens.
Know More about Allergy Immunotherapy
Curex, a leading allergy immunotherapy company, has designed immunotherapies to help individuals suffering from allergies. They create a tailored treatment approach for each patient. Curex uses a technique known as desensitization, gradually increasing doses of an allergen until your immune system builds tolerance.
Getting allergy shots is a significant commitment, typically starting with weekly injections, then moving to monthly ones over a course of 3-5 years. The treatments can improve the quality of life by reducing allergy symptoms and the need for medicines.
Remember, every allergic individual is unique. What works best for one person may not work as effectively for another. It's crucial to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the best path for you.