Food allergy is a reaction in the immune system that happens when an individual eats a particular food. Even a tiny amount of these allergy-causing dishes can cause these reactions and digestive problems. Dealing with a food allergy is challenging since you do now know which one triggered the symptoms. However, it would help if you considered DNA Food Testing to be on the safe side.
Food allergies affect around three percent of children and four percent of adults and have various symptoms. Below we discuss how to deal with food allergies.
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Read Food Labels
Undoubtedly, this is the first step when dealing with food allergies. Proper food studying will enable you to know its components, thus knowing whether they will cause allergies or not. Reading the food’s content might seem obvious, but a study has shown it significantly reduces the chances of getting these reactions.
People with food allergies should avoid foods labeled “manufactured” as they can cause a severe allergic reaction. The most common allergenic foods include;
- Tree nuts
- Milk
- Fish
- Eggs
- Soybeans
- Peanuts
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Avoid Cross-Reactivity and Contact
People experiencing food allergies should beware of the cross-contact with allergenic and non-allergenic foods.
- Cross-contact
Cross-contact happens when allergens are moved unintentionally from foods containing allergens to those that do not. You can avoid it by purging your kitchen and cleaning your utensils properly.
- Cross-reactivity
Cross-reactivity happens when proteins in one meal resemble those in another. The immune system might categorize the proteins as the same, causing a reaction. The cross-reactivity rate varies among individuals, and you are advised to have a skin test; suppose you want to eat foods within the same group.
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Know Your Symptoms
Knowing your symptoms if you have a food allergy is advisable since it goes a long way in saving your life. An allergic food reaction affects your body in the following ways;
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the tongue
- Uterine contractions
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion.
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Have a Backup Emergency Plan
People with adverse food allergies are advised to have a backup emergency plan in case of anything. Anaphylaxis informs you and your loved ones about the steps to take in case of an allergic reaction. You can also download this plan online and present it to the doctor for filling.
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Learn how to Use Auto-Injectors
Doctors use epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis, which functions minutes after the first injection. You and your loved ones need to know how to use these auto-injectors to avoid delays when administering the drug.
Allergic people should also carry their auto-injectors to ensure they are easily accessible. Also, you and your family should review the instructions always since they change from time to time. Consider using your auto-injector whenever you have;
- A tight throat
- Weak pulse
- Breathing difficulty
- Repetitive coughing
- Abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Patients are also advised to contact 911 whenever they receive this injection in case they need emergency medical attention.
Final Thoughts
Food allergies are common and are caused by several factors. The above article has elaborated on how to handle them, and more information is available online.