Immediate Actions after Accidental Consumption of Allergens
Step 1: Assess Your Symptoms
Understand the severity of your symptoms. Allergic reactions to food may range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms may include hives, a rash, itchy skin or eyes, and nasal congestion. Severe symptoms may include trouble breathing, chest discomfort, sudden decrease in blood pressure, dizziness, or unconsciousness.
Step 2: Seeking Immediate Help
Once you have assessed your symptoms, you should:
- Use an emergency epinephrine pen, if there is one available. The epinephrine pen can help reduce severe allergic reactions until you are able to get to the hospital.
- Dial emergency services, a severe food allergy reaction can be life-threatening and it is very crucial to get medical treatment immediately.
Step 3: Inform Medical Personnel about the Allergen
Once the first responders arrive or when you reach the hospital, inform them about the allergen you have eaten and describe your symptoms as accurately as possible. This will help them understand your condition better and provide the suitable treatment.
Long-Term Management Strategies
Step 1: Visit an Allergist
Visit a board-certified allergist for a thorough evaluation and to get diagnosed properly. The allergist might perform various allergy tests to accurately pinpoint the allergens that trigger reactions.
Step 2: Develop an Allergy Action Plan
After identifying your allergies, work with your allergist to develop an allergy action plan. This plan should include a list of allergens to avoid, information on what to do in case of accidental ingestion, and details of medicines to take.
Step 3: Immunotherapy
Consider allergy immunotherapy, a long-term treatment option that can help decrease sensitivity to allergens. Their treatment regime includes sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), which involves administering a small dose of the identified allergen under your tongue to boost your tolerance to the allergen over time. This method can significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for allergy sufferers.
Prevention is Better than Cure
Although there's no cure for food allergies currently, effective management strategies can help handle the conditions better. Remember to always check the food label before consuming, ask for ingredient details when dining out and avoid foods with unknown ingredients.