Food Allergies

Food allergies are the direct result of your immune system rejecting certain foods. Even a tiny amount of food will trigger symptoms, including digestive issues, swollen airways, or hives. There can also be life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis.

Symptoms

Not all reactions will be severe. For some patients, a particular food will cause only an uncomfortable reaction. Symptoms can show up to two minutes or two hours after ingesting the wrong food.

Common symptoms include:

• Itching or tingling in the mouth
• Eczema, itching, or hives
• Face, lips, tongue, throat, or other body parts swelling
• Nasal congestion, wheezing, or trouble inhaling
• Vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, or diarrhea,
• Disorientation (dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness)

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction. Without hurried treatment, the condition can result in coma or death. Anaphylaxis has the capacity to:

• Tighten and constrict the airways
• Create swelling in the throat, creating the sensation of a lump and making it hard to breathe
• Cause a severe drop in blood pressure leading to shock
• Generate a rapid pulse
• Promote loss of consciousness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and other forms of disorientation

Diagnosis

Clinicians utilize three steps to see if you have a food allergy.

• Personal and medical history
• Physical tests
• Exams like patch, skin, or blood tests to determine allergens

Management and Treatment

The best way to manage food allergies is to avoid the foods that trigger symptoms. Otherwise, your doctor will develop a treatment plan or suggest immunotherapy. Most likely, treatment and management will include medication such as:

• Nasal corticosteroids (nose sprays)
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Corticosteroid ointment or creams
• Oral corticosteroids
• Mast cells stabilizers
• Epinephrine

How Can We Help?

If you have a food allergy, it’s important to not go with DIY applications, even trusted OTC products. You should reach out to a medical professional that can assess your needs and help develop the best possible treatment for your condition. Our providers will help with the diagnosis and treatment of the problem. To make an appointment, please call us on 850.969.2340.