When you suffer from a food allergy, you have to be very careful in dealing with it. While it’s common, the downside to food allergies is that it’s incurable. If discovered in its early and mild form, you may eventually outgrow and overcome that allergy. But, if it’s severe, then it’s something you have to learn to live with. Regardless of the situation, it pays to have an awareness about the matter.
Food allergies are quite common. Some suffer only its mild effects, while some have severe reactions to food allergies. Regardless of the situation, it pays to have an awareness about the matter. With such information, not only will you have the means to determine whether you’re suffering from a food allergy, but you can also take a proactive approach to reduce its likelihood of happening and know what to do when it does occur.
When it does happen due to the negligence of other people, such as in the case of food products and restaurants, you can also take proper action with the assistance of your trusted family law firm.
That said, here are five of the things you need to know about food allergies.
When To Go To The Hospital
Not every food allergy will warrant a trip to the hospital. But, in severe cases, you have to see the doctor. Knowing when you need to go to the hospital can save you from its detrimental and life-threatening effects, such as anaphylaxis. This can happen in a matter of seconds or minutes, so you have to take this seriously.
Some signs when you have to rush to the hospital include:
- Stomach cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Wheezing and high-pitched breathing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Breathing Difficulties
- Rapid pulse
The Major Food Allergens
For infants who can consume solid food already, the pediatrician will usually recommend parents to introduce new food once every three to four days. In doing so, the parents can determine if their child has an allergic reaction to any kind of food. Because of this process of elimination, many allergies are discovered in childhood. When it’s in this early stage, the chances of actually overcoming these allergies are increased.
But, when it only comes late in your adulthood, it could mean that you simply weren’t aware that this certain allergy existed in your system.
Some of the common allergens you have to be wary about are:
- Milk
- Soybeans
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Fish
- Chocolate
Because of this, the local food authority of your state typically requires food brands to indicate in their label when the product contains common allergens. Proper labeling can give consumers a heads-up to avoid products they may have allergic reactions to.
The Treatment For Mild Allergies
When it comes to mild allergies or in the absence of the severe symptoms listed above, you don’t have to rush to the emergency room. You can treat it at home. Thus, it helps to know how you can effectively manage and treat your food allergies on your own.
- Stop eating. As soon as you feel like an allergic reaction is about to happen, stop eating that food immediately. Don’t test your body by eating more of it, otherwise, you might suffer a severe reaction.
- Take antihistamines. This isn’t a cure for allergies, as there is currently none. But, it’s an effective pill to help you manage its symptoms. For instance, with antihistamines, you can help combat itching and hives.
Allergies Can Be Life-Threatening
Some allergic reactions can be life-threatening. This reaction is what’s referred to as anaphylaxis. When your body suffers from this, it can lead to results, such as:
There’s a medical explanation why allergies can be life-threatening. This reaction is referred to as anaphylaxis. When your body suffers from this, it can lead to serious consequences, such as:
- Suffocation in the throat and larynx
- Constricted airways in the lungs
- Severe lowering of the blood pressure and anaphylactic shock
Labeling Of Food Products
If a food product contains ingredients identified by your local authority as one of the top common allergens on its list, then manufacturers of these food products are required to create this warning label. If there’s any mislabeling or no label at all, and then a severe allergic reaction occurred to a patient who trusted the product’s safety, then the manufacturers can be held accountable.
This is why patients who suffer from this have the responsibility of reporting this to their local food authority. That way, proper action can be taken so that these deadly mistakes won’t be committed again.
- Date when the product was bought and ingested
- Time and date of the allergic reaction
- Name of the patient and other medical information to prove this allergy existed
- Medications used to treat the symptoms
Conclusion
With the information above, you can now handle food allergies better. This can help you become more confident in managing your case, so that not every allergic reaction will cause you to rush to the emergency room right away. In most instances, these food allergies are mild and can be controlled at home.
It’s important to learn basic and crucial information about your symptoms since food allergies can have serious and deadly effects. Being informed about it can spell the difference between life and death for you or a loved one.
