Around 20 million people in the United States alone have some type of food allergy, with about 80% of those being adults and 20% being children. Knowing what to do quickly after exposure to a food allergen can stop the reaction and prevent further problems from developing. In this post, we’ll take a look at the steps anyone should take after a non-fatal food allergy reaction to improve their chances of a quick recovery.
1. Stop Exposure to the Allergen
The first thing that must happen is stopping exposure to the food allergen. This is easier if you already know which foods trigger your allergy symptoms, so it’s important to undergo comprehensive allergy testing as soon as you notice any allergy symptoms. If this is your first allergic reaction, try to stop exposure to anything that contains the top nine most common food allergens:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Wheat
- Soy
- Sesame
2. Treat with a Fast-Acting Medication
After exposure to the allergen ends, the affected individual should take an antihistamine to slow down the immune response causing the reaction. Benadryl and Claritin are popular antihistamines to use in these situations. However, if your allergic reaction becomes severe, including anaphylaxis symptoms, you will need one or more doses of epinephrine from an auto-injector. An epinephrine auto-injector can be prescribed by your allergist and should be carried with you everywhere. Always go to the emergency room immediately after using an epinephrine auto-injector.
3. Assess & Monitor Your Symptoms
The allergy symptoms should begin to subside 15-30 minutes after taking an antihistamine. Monitor your symptoms during this time to be sure they are improving. If they do not, or they worsen, you will need to seek urgent medical care. Do not take more antihistamine than what is recommended by the manufacturer or instructed by a physician.
4. Follow Up With Your Allergist
Be sure to keep a log of your allergic reactions and discuss this with your allergist during your next appointment. If you don’t already have a follow-up appointment scheduled with your allergist, make one as soon as your reaction symptoms are under control. Your allergy journal should list the date, time, location, and cause (if known) of the allergic reaction, along with what you were doing in the 30-60 minutes leading up to the start of symptoms. Also, include any medications or interventions you took to get the symptoms under control and how well they worked.
5. Self-Care
An allergic reaction can be very hard on the body and mind. Individuals who experience allergic reactions, even nonfatal ones, report feeling exhausted once their symptoms begin to subside. You must take time to rest and hydrate after an allergic reaction to allow your body, including your immune system, time to fully recover.
Food Allergy Treatment in Tampa Bay
Even non-fatal allergic reactions can be stressful and scary, so having a competent allergist on your team to develop an effective food allergy treatment plan is very helpful. Your allergist can educate you on how to properly respond after an allergic event, empowering you to manage your food allergies like a pro. If you’re in Tampa Bay but haven’t yet seen an allergist, make the call to AllergyTampa.com at 813-971-9743 to schedule your first appointment. We have two convenient Tampa locations to serve our patients best, providing high-quality care in a warm, welcoming, and professional environment.
