Food Allergy
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Do you develop hives after eating a certain food? Do you find it difficult to breathe after eating a certain food? If you do, you may be suffering from a food allergy. Unfortunately, for some individuals it isn’t so easy to tell if they are. This is most commonly the case when symptoms are not severe. For more information to help you determine if you do have a food allergy, please continue reading on.
One of the best ways to determine if you are suffering from a food allergy is to visit your healthcare provider. Many develop tests or trails to determine which food or foods you are allergic to, if any. It is also a good idea to visit a doctor if you suspect that you may have a food allergy, as they may be able to provide you with information and tips on making a lifestyle change, which may include eliminating the food or foods that are causing your problems. Medication may also be given.
As previously stated, hives are a good indication that you may be suffering from a food allergy. In fact, hives are one of the most common symptoms experienced by those who do have a food allergy. Hives are easy to notice and spot. If you develop hives, they can be treated with use of oatmeal. A great home remedy involves taking a cup of bowling water and pouring it over oatmeal. After a few minutes strain, then let cool some more and dab on the hives with a cotton ball or cloth. While this home remedy will help with your hives, it is still important to determine which foods are causing them.
Swelling of the tongue and throat are two more common symptoms of a food allergy. These symptoms can, unfortunately, lead to difficult breathing. If you ever experience these symptoms, you will want to seek medical attention right away. This is important if you have not officially been diagnosed as having a food allergy, as you may not have helpful medication on hand.
Those who suffering from food allergies who have a reaction may also feel light headed or experience a loss of conscious. If this happens to you, it is important that medical attention is sought right away. In fact, death can be the results if improper medical attention and care. That is why it is important to seek medical attention the moment that you suspect you may have a food allergy. As previously stated, hives are a good sign that you may. You should seek the advice of a professional in the medical field before your symptoms are able escalate.
Once you have officially been diagnosed as having a food allergy, it is important that you let those around you know of your diagnosis. This is particularly important if you regularly eat dinner at the homes of your friends or relatives. Those individuals will need to know what not to include in their meals or they can make alternative arrangements for you. This notification is also important in case you have a reaction. As previously stated, those that are around you need to know the proper way to react, whether it be administering medication or calling for an ambulance.
As stated above, it is important that you seek medical attention if you suspect that you have an allergy to food.
Written by dpi on November 14th, 2008 with no comments.
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What are the most common food allergies?
In adults, the most common foods that cause allergic reactions are: shellfish, such as shrimp, crayfish, lobster, and crab; nuts from trees, such as walnuts; fish; eggs; and peanuts, a legume that is one of the chief foods to cause anaphylactic reactions. (Recently, the airlines stopped serving peanuts, probably for this reason.) In highly allergic people, even minuscule amounts of a food allergen (for example, 1/44,000 of a peanut kernel) can prompt an allergic reaction. Less sensitive people, however, may be able to tolerate small amounts of a food to which they are allergic.
In children, the pattern is somewhat different from adults, and the most common foods that cause allergic reactions are eggs, milk, peanuts, and fruits, particularly tomatoes and strawberries. Children sometimes outgrow their allergies but adults usually do not lose theirs. Also, children are more likely to outgrow allergies to cow’s milk or soy formula than allergies to peanuts, fish, or shrimp. Adults and children tend to react to those foods they eat more often; for example, in Japan, allergy to rice, and in Scandinavia, allergy to codfish, is more common than elsewhere.
What is exercise-induced food allergy?
Exercise can induce an allergic reaction to food. The usual scenario is that of a person eating a specific food, and then exercising. As he exercises and his body temperature increases, he begins to itch, gets lightheaded, and soon develops the characteristic allergic reactions of hives, asthma, abdominal symptoms, and even anaphylaxis. The cure, actually a preventive measure, for exercise-induced food allergy is simple-not eating for at least two hours before exercising.
How is food allergy treated?
Dietary Avoidance: Avoiding the offending allergen in the diet is the primary treatment of food allergy. Once a food to which the patient is sensitive has been identified, the food must be removed from the diet. To do this, patients need to read lengthy, detailed lists of ingredients on the label for each food they consider eating. Many allergy-producing foods such as peanuts, eggs, and milk appear in foods that are not ordinarily associated with them. For example, peanuts often are used as protein supplements, eggs are in some salad dressings, and milk is in bakery products. The FDA requires that the ingredients in a food are listed on its label. People can avoid most of the foods to which they are sensitive if they carefully read the labels on foods and, when in restaurants, avoid ordering foods that might contain ingredients to which they are allergic.
Treating an Anaphylactic Reaction: Patients with severe food allergies must be prepared to treat an anaphylactic reaction. Even those who know a lot about their own allergies can either make an error or be served food that does not comply with their instructions. To protect themselves, people who have had anaphylactic reactions to a food should wear medical alert bracelets or necklaces stating that they have a food allergy and that they are subject to severe reactions. These individuals also always should carry a syringe of adrenaline (epinephrine), obtained by prescription from their doctors, and be prepared to self-administer it if they think they are developing an allergic reaction. They then should immediately seek medical help by either calling the rescue squad or having themselves transported to an emergency room.
Treating other Symptoms of Food Allergy: Several medications are available for treating the other symptoms of food allergy. For example, antihistamines can relieve gastrointestinal symptoms, hives, sneezing, and a runny nose. Bronchodilators can relieve the symptoms of asthma. These medications are taken after a person inadvertently has ingested a food to which he is allergic. They are not effective, however, in preventing an allergic reaction when taken prior to eating the food. In fact, no medication in any form is available to reliably prevent an allergic reaction to a certain food before eating that food.
Written by dpi on December 28th, 2007 with no comments.
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By: Chris Robertson
It’s rare that you hear of someone dying from food allergies, but when it happens, it usually reaches national news. Why? Because food is something we eat every day - several times a day - and everyone should be aware of the dangers of food allergies. Some foods such as peanuts contain very strong allergens that are in the food and released into the air as well. That’s why someone with severe food allergies must be extremely careful where and how they dine out.
Food Allergy Deaths
There are approximately 150 deaths related to food allergies in the United States each year. Food allergies are responsible for more deaths than insect bites as well as reactions to medicines.
Some food allergy deaths could have been prevented if proper medical attention was given when the allergic reaction occurred. Unfortunately, someone who is dining out or eating at home alone can have an allergic reaction without anyone around who knows the cause. With severe reactions, the person may not be able to speak or move at all. When the paramedics arrive, they do not know how to treat the patient.
Non-deadly allergies can still cause unpleasant symptoms such as cramps, light-headedness, itching and rash, hives, headaches, swelling lips, tingling mouth, shortness of breath and wheezing. Even these symptoms can seem urgent when they’re really not, so emergency personnel might attend to someone with these symptoms as well.
Keeping in Touch with Your Food Allergies
Prevention is always best with food allergies, especially dangerous ones. When dining out, ask the waiter if the food you’re about to order contains the ingredients that might cause an allergic reaction. Also, check food labels and labels on drinks and condiments while grocery shopping to be sure it’s safe before eating. Keep a list of the foods you’re allergic to with you in your wallet or purse as a reminder when dining out.
If you’ve already experienced a severe food allergy attack, ask your physician about a self-injecting epinephrine to keep with you for emergencies. This could save your life!
Help Medical Emergency Workers do their Jobs
Another way to be prepared is to have all your medical emergency information with you in one place along with your identification. Keep this information in your purse or wallet so emergency workers will know how to diagnose and treat you when they arrive.
Special wallets are now available called Medical Alert Wallets that have all your medical information and allergy details inside. Emergency workers easily recognize these because each Medical Alert Wallet has a “Medic Alert” symbol and a free Medical Information Card with each wallet. They come in nylon, vinyl, and leather. Several styles are available such as bi-fold, tri-fold and neck wallets. Families can use these for every member of the family so everyone will be protected if a food allergy reaction or any other medical emergency occurs.
With a little preparation and a Medic Alert Wallet, you’ll have peace of mind when dining out or eating at a friend’s house. Food allergies do not have to control your life!
Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies. For tips/information, click here: medical alert wallets
Visit Majon’s Health and Beauty directory.
Written by dpi on June 5th, 2007 with no comments.
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