Best Ways to Deal with the Health Consequences of Food Allergy

Did you know that millions of Americans are plagued with food allergic reactions taking a toll on their health? Some allergies lead to minor reactions, while others result in severe health issues. Studies show that four percent of adults and five percent of kids have food allergies in the US. The symptoms include sneezing, nasal congestion, and even anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening. It leads to breathlessness and sends a patient’s body to shock. Anaphylaxis results in approx 30,000 emergency visits, 2,000 cases of hospitalization, and another 150 deaths in America. 

According to an article published on https://www.bbc.com, all over the world, kids are more susceptible to food allergies and the common eatables causing reactions include peanut, sesame, and buttermilk. Here are some of the best ways to deal with food allergies:

Check food labels for ingredients 

Though reading labels may seem obvious, studies indicate that perplexing food labels leave shoppers vulnerable to allergies. Numerous foods cause allergic reactions in people including milk, crustacean shellfish, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, soybeans, wheat, and eggs. According to the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), these food items or ingredients containing protein obtained from these are major causes of allergic reactions in people. 

Therefore, avoid foods that contain these components to avoid food allergies. Do not buy food without proper labels, especially from a cake or pastry store. In case of severe allergic reactions, medical professionals would recommend allergy tests. It is also to ensure the proper use of lab furniture for safety reasons.  

Understand your symptoms 

If you have a food allergy, it is imperative to understand and recognize the symptoms, especially anaphylaxis. Spotting the indications is a lifesaver. An allergic reaction to food might manifest as skin itching, swelling, red eyes, runny nose, dry cough, and tightness in the chest, nausea, dizziness, and even slow or fast heartbeat. Identify these signs, symptoms if they occur frequently, and consult a medical professional for treatment and medication. 

Runny nose or dry cough is a symptom of a cold, too, and it is good to treat it with Coldeeze.

The symptoms of anaphylaxis are hard to detect. However, signs related to your skin, blood pressure drop, faulty breathing, loss of consciousness, and confusion for minutes or several hours indicate that you have anaphylaxis. 

Keep an emergency plan in place 

If you have severe allergic reactions to some food, avoid them at all costs. Inform your family, coworkers, friends, and caregivers if you notice the symptoms are increasing and causing you discomfort. You can even download an emergency action plan for anaphylaxis from the website of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. 

Once you download the same, you need to fill out the form duly signed by a physician. The document has details related to your name, kind of allergic reaction, age, the food you’re allergic to, and a complete list of the symptoms. After consulting a medical professional, you can take a dose of EpiPen or call 911. All such details are available in the emergency plan. 

Final words

Now that you have these tips handy, it would be easy for you to deal with severe allergic reactions after taking some food. Consult your doctor for treatment right away. 

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