Food allergy

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Anaphylaxis	Antibodies	Dermatitis, perioral	Food allergies
Food guide pyramid	Read food labels

Allergy to food

The only proven treatment for a food allergy is to avoid the food! If you suspect you or your child has a food allergy, consult an allergy specialist.

If you have symptoms confined to one area of the body (for example, a hive on the chin after eating the specific food), you may not need any treatment. The symptoms will subside in a brief time. Antihistamines may relieve the discomfort. Soothing skin creams may provide some relief. Consult your doctor if you think you have had an allergic reaction to food, even if it is only a local reaction.

Anyone diagnosed with a food allergy should carry (and know how to use) injectable epinephrine at all times. If a person develops any type of serious or whole-body reaction, even hives, after eating the offending food, they should inject the epinephrine, and then go to the nearest hospital or emergency facility, preferably by ambulance. Seek immediate medical attention after injecting epinephrine for a food reaction.

More information and resources on food allergies can be found online through the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.

Avoiding the offending foods may be easy if the food is uncommon or easily identified. However, success may involve a severely restricted diet and often requires diligent reading of all package ingredients and detailed inquiries when eating away from home.

• Call your local emergency number, such as 911, if you have any serious or whole-body reactions after eating a food (particularly wheezing or difficulty breathing).
• If your doctor prescribed epinephrine for severe reactions, inject it as soon as possible, even BEFORE calling 911. The sooner you inject the epinephrine, the better.
• Anyone who has had an allergic reaction to a food should be evaluated by an allergy specialist.

Review Date: 10/31/2005
Reviewed By: Frederic F. Little, M.D., Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.