The primary way to manage a food allergy is to avoid consuming foods that cause you problems. It is extremely important to avoid allergen foods and there are some situations that you should pay attention to. In this article, those who are curious about the treatment of food allergy; We have written for you that you should avoid and emergency treatments.
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Read The Package Contents Carefully
First, identify the food you are allergic to. Check the ingredient labels of food products carefully and find out if they are known by other names for the ones you should avoid. There are eight food allergens that commonly cause allergies in food allergies; milk, eggs, wheat, shellfish, soy, fish, nuts, peanuts. These nutrients are indicated on food labels. The presence of the allergen should be indicated even if it is just an incidental component, such as with an additive or flavoring.
Note The ‘May Contain’
Some products may also be labeled with precautionary statements such as “may contain”, “made on shared equipment”, “made in a shared facility” or another indication of potential allergen contamination. If the symptoms caused by your allergy are severe, it will be useful to stay away from these products.
Get Expert Help
Unfortunately, avoiding an allergen is not always easy. While reading labels makes your job easier, it is not quite enough. The very common use of certain foods increases your chances of missing out. That is why it’s important to seek help from an allergist or allergy dietitian. An allergy dietitian will offer tips for avoiding allergy-triggering foods and ensure you get all the nutrients you need, even if you eliminate certain foods from your diet.
Many people with food allergies wonder if their condition is permanent. There is no definite answer to this. While allergies to milk, egg, wheat, and soy tend to go away over time, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish tend to persist throughout life.
Re-Read The Ingredient Label Every Time You Buy The Same Product
Be sure to read the contents of the products that you frequently consume and that you are sure of. The contents of the products may differ in each series. A food produced in the same band as the food you are allergic to can also cause a severe reaction. For this reason, do not forget to read the labels of packaged foods that you have bought before and that do not contain allergen nutrients.
Be Careful When Eating Out
Be extra careful when eating at restaurants. Waiters and sometimes kitchen staff may not always know the ingredients of every dish on the menu. Depending on your sensitivity, even walking into a kitchen or restaurant can cause an allergic reaction. When eating out, get information from the person who cooks the food, if necessary, and talk about your allergies. Emphasize the need to prepare surfaces, pans, pots and utensils that have not been contaminated by your allergen, and clarify with restaurant staff which dishes on the menu are safe for you. Do not consume food that you are unsure of.
Anaphylaxis
Symptoms caused by a food allergy can range from mild to life-threatening; The severity of every reaction cannot be predicted. The next reaction may be more severe than the previous reaction. People who previously experienced only mild symptoms may suddenly experience a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, which can impair breathing and cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, among other things. Anaphylaxis is an extremely serious condition that is life-threatening.
Adrenaline is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, where exposure to an allergen triggers a flood of chemicals that can shock your body. Anaphylaxis can occur seconds or minutes after exposure to an allergen, worsen rapidly, and can be fatal. Once you have been diagnosed with a food allergy, your allergist will prescribe an adrenaline auto-injector. Your doctor will tell you in detail in what situations and how to use the auto-injector. Your allergist will also give you a written treatment plan that explains what medications he or she prescribes and when you should take them.
What Should I Pay Attention To?
Check the expiration date of your auto-injector, note the expiration date on your calendar. Make sure that your syringe has not passed its expiration date, and renew the syringe that is nearing its expiration date as soon as possible.
Anyone with a food allergy should always have an auto-injector at hand. Be sure to keep two doses on hand, as a severe reaction can recur in about 20 percent of individuals. There are no data to help predict who may need a second dose of adrenaline, so this recommendation applies to all patients with food allergies.
If you experience severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, recurrent cough, weak pulse, hives, tightness in the throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a combination of symptoms from different parts of the body, such as hives, rash or swelling, use an adrenaline auto-injector immediately.
It is important to go to the nearest health center after using the adrenaline auto injector. Call the ambulance or have someone with you call the ambulance.
If you are unsure whether a reaction requires adrenaline, use adrenaline immediately; The benefits of adrenaline far outweigh the risk that a dose may not be necessary.
Tell people close to you about your allergy in detail. Also mention the adrenaline auto injector so that they can use it when necessary.
Other drugs can be prescribed to treat the symptoms of a food allergy, but it’s important to note that there is no substitute for adrenaline: The only drug that can reverse the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis is adrenaline.
