Food allergies can put a strain on your diet and result in painful or dangerous consequences. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), over 32 million Americans have food allergies. Luckily, there are many options available now for those who can’t consume particular foods.
What Are Food Allergies?
Food allergies are the result of a dangerous immune system reaction to a particular food. Typically, food allergies are an overreaction of your immune system. It is unknown why the immune system develops a sensitivity to certain foods; however, there is a chance that these issues can resolve themselves over time. Some of the most common food allergies that people experience are:
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Dairy products
- Shellfish
- Wheat
- Soy
While the majority of food allergies are more uncomfortable than they are serious, some people suffer from extreme bodily reactions from food allergies.
What Are Some Food Allergy Symptoms?
When many people accidentally consume food that they are allergic to, they typically experience minor to moderate effects such as:
- Rashed
- Hives
- Digestive problems
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Itching or tingling in the mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
Though these are the most common symptoms of a food allergy, some people may experience intense or severe reactions that may not appear on this list.
How to Treat Food Allergies
Minor to moderate allergic reactions can be managed alone or in combination with over-the-counter medications and topical treatments. However, those who experience more severe reactions such as swollen airways should have an antihistamine or an EpiPen readily available to inject epinephrine into their body and immediately make their way to an emergency room.
While medication or emergency treatments like EpiPens are typical and commonplace treatments for food allergies, some claim that natural methods like acupuncture may help lessen allergic reactions over time. These claims are difficult to substantiate, as they may benefit some patients while others see no change. You may wish to speak to a medical professional about any alternative treatments you plan on pursuing.
How We Can Help
When you come to the medical professionals at Allergy Associates, we will put forth all of our efforts into understanding what may be triggering your food allergies and how to move forward with your treatment. Our goal is to provide you with the best comprehensive treatment for your case. This could be either with medication or topical treatments. We will also take into consideration your opinion and your thoughts on your treatment plan. We are willing to collaborate with you on your health in order to make this process as easy and comfortable for you as possible.
Why Choose Us
Our experts take great care in performing tests to understand your food allergies to the fullest extent. It is important to us that we understand your specific case so that we can create the most beneficial treatment possible so that you can go back to living normally. We understand that these issues can be difficult, which is why the professionals at Allergy Associates will go the extra mile to give you the best care possible.