subject: Identifying and treating allergies [print this page] Identifying and treating allergies Identifying and treating allergies
Whether it's pollen, peanuts or puppies, allergies can have a dramatic impact on a person's quality of life. Hay fever sufferers, for instance, find their summers ruined by high pollen counts and have to appreciate any good weather from indoors rather than out in the sun. Food allergies, however, can be far more nasty affairs, with accidental ingestion of certain foods sometimes proving fatal to allergy-sufferers. So if you or your child seems to be suffering from an allergic reaction, it's important to tackle the problem and isolate the allergen as early as possible.
Allergic reactions can take many forms but when it comes to food they are most commonly manifested in unexpected rashes, swelling, inflammation and vomiting. Moreover, the reaction can arise in minutes so making sure exactly what food items cause an allergy is crucial so they can be avoided in the future. Foods that commonly cause allergies include nuts (such as peanuts, brazil nuts and even soya beans), shellfish (like prawns, crabs and clams), dairy items (milk, cheese, butter or yoghurt) and grains (like wheat or oats). However, some food allergies can be more unusual. You may be allergic to a particular vegetable that is not eaten on a daily basis, like asparagus or artichoke, as well as fresh herbs like coriander and these allergies may not be detected until adult life.
One way to isolate what foods you may be allergic to is to keep a food diary. Maintaining a diary of what you eat on a daily basis and your physical reaction afterwards is a productive way of identifying foods that agree with you and those that don't. Once you've made a shortlist, consult a doctor for more information and ensure that your family, friends and living companions are aware of your allergies.
If your food diary fails to identify exactly what it is causing an allergic reaction, visiting your doctor and undergoing an allergy check should help you find the answers you need. Indeed, you may find that your allergy is not caused by a food item at all. Other possible allergens include common household or garden plants, a pet (from large culprits like loveable Labradors to tiny, cage-confined guinea pigs), dust, perfume and even everyday drugs like paracetamol or aspirin.
Once your allergy check has identified the culprits of your discomfort, you may be given antihistamines or other medication to keep your reactions in check. In extreme cases, a nebuliser or epinephrine autoinjector (commonly known as an EpiPen) may be necessary. If you fall into this category, ensure that you keep your nebuliser or EpiPen on you at all times and that your family and friends know where to find it in case of a sudden allergic reaction - it could mean the difference between life and death.
