Disclaimer on “Allergic reactions and how to treat them”: None of the information provided in these posts should be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before trying recommendations or if you have concern
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Hello, everyone! This week, I’m going to talk about allergic reactions and symptoms, as well as how to treat a reaction.
Guess who was allergic to oranges as a child?
Me! My mother had open heart surgery when I was 11 months old. I have a very vague picture memory from this time, but that’s it. She always said that, before she went in for surgery, she dropped off a relatively healthy baby at her in-laws’ house. When she came to get said baby, she found a sweet little child who was covered from head to toe in little red bumps. She also found orange juice in the sippy cup.
Turns out I’m no longer allergic to them (thank goodness, because I love oranges!). And, yes, that can happen. According John Hopkins Medicine, most children outgrow their allergies. Unfortunately, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish aren’t on the list of allergies that can go away. If you have them, you’re pretty much stuck with them.
Oh, and those little red bumps? They’re called “hives,” and they are just one of several reactions one can have to a food allergen. According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), allergic reaction symptoms usually happen a few minutes to a couple of hours after exposure, and they can also affect one part or multiple parts of the body. There are three types of reactions to food allergies: mild, severe, and life threatening. Here’s a little about each.
Mild allergic symptoms and reactions
While mild allergic reactions and symptoms are uncomfortable but not always life-threatening, they still need to be taken seriously, because they can lead to a life-threating situation with no notice or warning.
Mild Symptoms include:
- Itchy or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Mild nausea or digestive discomfort
- Itchy mouth
- Tingling in the cheeks
- Mild itch and a few hives
A “mild reaction” occurs when a mild symptom affects one part of the body. If it affects more than one body part, it becomes a “severe reaction.”
Severe allergic symptoms and reactions
While one mild allergic reaction and symptom hitting multiple parts of the body qualifies as a severe reaction, any severe symptom is considered a severe reaction. Want guess what also falls into this category? Any combination of one mild and one severe symptom (I was not happy to discover this, because it made me have to do a serious overview of my allergic reactions).
Severe symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Repetitive cough
- Pale or blue complexion
- Fainting
- Weak pulse
- Dizziness
- Tight or hoarse throat
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Significant swelling in the lips or tongue
- Widespread redness
- Large amount of hives
- Repetitive vomiting
- Severe diarrhea
- Paranoia (this was a surprise to me)
- Anxiety
- Confusion
Severe reactions are dangerous. Take them seriously. Because they can quickly and easily lead to the last category.
Life threatening allergic symptoms and reaction
Wait! There’s only one? Pretty much. Guess who’s back? Our old pal anaphylaxis! Yup, it’s the same character I introduced in the “What are food allergies and intolerances” post.
John Hopkins Medicine lists anaphylaxis symptoms as:
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Feeling like the throat is closing
- Lump in the throat
- Swelling of the lips and tongue
- Flushed skin
- Itchy palms or soles of feet (I didn’t know about this one until researching for this post)
- Feeling faint
- Nausea
- Fast pulse
- Low blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
Several of these may appear to be repeats from the previous list. Because they are.
Serious time: Anaphylaxis is dangerous. It is a medical emergency that requires epinephrine and a 9-1-1 call. If you or someone you love has severe food allergies, carrying an epi-pen is wise and could save your or their life.
How to treat food allergies
Take them seriously. I cannot stress them enough. Even if your reactions are mild, the chance for a severe or life-threatening reaction exists and increases every time you are exposed to your food allergens. Here are some tips for both adults, children, and supporters of people who have food allergies.
Adults
For adults, avoid your food allergens. Learn what the ingredient lists are for your allergens. Read food labels. Ask questions at restaurants and even at your friends’ houses. I know it can be a challenge. I love and miss horribly bakery donuts, so I get it. Trust me, the alternative isn’t worth it. Also, adults, particularly those who are breastfeeding, be aware of any allergies your baby might have. You can pass allergens through breast milk. A friend of mine had to give up strawberries while she was nursing her oldest daughter.
Children
For children, make sure they stay away from their food allergens. Talk to them about how reactions can occur and how to avoid the allergies, especially if they are severe. Also, consult your doctor and perhaps a nutritionist about any vitamins, minerals, or supplements the child might need because of nutrients missing due to the food allergy.
Allies and supporters
Allies and supporters, here is how you can help us. Believe us when we say we are allergic to something. Do not belittle or make fun of us (yes, I’ve had people do this to me). Do not try to sneak the allergen into our food, because this isn’t a psychosomatic situation. We will have a reaction, and it could be deadly.
Ask us questions about ingredients if you are unsure. You are not “bothering” us if you ask. Personally, when my friends ask me about my allergens, I feel seen – I feel safe. I would rather have you blowing up my phone with pictures and questions than have you accidentally hurt me or, even worse, not even try and put me in a situation where I cannot eat any of the food available. I will quickly feel unwelcome in your life and your home if this happens.
How to treat a reaction
If someone is having a mild reaction, an antihistamine can sometimes stop it. If a severe reaction is happening, sometimes the antihistamines will work, and sometimes the epi-pen is necessary. When a life-threatening reaction happens, administer the epinephrine, call 911, and get to an emergency room if you can. Every second counts once an anaphylactic reaction starts. Acting quickly could save that person’s life.
Sometimes a little diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in Benadryl™), famotidine (the active ingredient in Pepcid™), or ranitidine (the active ingredient in Zantac™) is what you need to have with you. Sometimes the epi-pen is the key to saving your life. Talk to your doctor about what the best choices are for you.
If you have a story to tell, go ahead and share it in the comments if you’re comfortable doing so. Everyone reacts differently, and I would be interested in hearing your story.
That’s all for today. If you have any comments, please feel free to leave them below.
Be safe. Eat safe. And savor life!
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