Determine Your Symptoms
If you've unintentionally consumed Spicy Asian Chicken Poppers from Pizza Hut and are allergic to one of the allergens present in the dish (Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Eggs) it's important first to identify the symptoms. Allergic reactions can occur within minutes to a couple of hours after consumption of the allergen. Common symptoms include:
- Itching or tingling in the mouth
- Hives, itching or eczema
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, throat or other parts of the body
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
More severe reactions like anaphylaxis require immediate medical attention.
Take Initial Steps
After identifying symptoms, take the following steps to manage the reaction:
Antihistamines: Over-the-counter antihistamines can help to relieve minor symptoms like itching, sneezing, and nasal congestion. They are not capable of preventing anaphylaxis or controlling severe reactions.
Epinephrine Autoinjector (EpiPen): If you have a known food allergy and carry an EpiPen, use it immediately as prescribed.
Call for Help: If severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, drop in blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea or fainting occur, seek immediate medical help.
Get Medical Assistance
Consult your healthcare provider or allergist about the reaction. They may be able to prescribe medications to control symptoms. They’ll also provide guidance for preventing further reactions.
It's important to let the medical team know you have had an allergic reaction to food. Be specific about what you ate, as this will assist in refining your allergen avoidance plans, providing dietary advice and planning for future management .
Allergy Immunotherapy (Curex)
Curex can be a possible solution for long-term treatment. The company offers treatments that aim to desensitize the immune system to specific allergens, which decreases sensitivity over time.
Immunotherapy involves administering small, gradually increasing doses of the allergen and is proven to be effective for treating allergies to pollen, dust mites, mold, and stinging insect venom. The prospect of applying this treatment to food allergies is currently being studied.
Keep in mind that immunotherapy is not a cure, but it can significantly reduce the severity of allergic reactions or even eliminate your symptoms altogether. It is important to undertake this treatment under the guidance of a medical professional.
Prevention
Lastly, to prevent allergic reactions in the future, carefully read food labels. Many fast-food restaurants, including Pizza Hut, publish allergen and ingredient information online. Develop a habit of inquiring about ingredients when dining out.
Remember that it's impossible to completely eliminate the risk of unintentional exposure to food allergens, but these steps can help to minimize the risk significantly.