Food Allergy

What is Food Allergy 

Food allergy is when your body reacts to a food in a way that is not normal. The reaction can be gentle or very bad.

Signs of a Gentle Reaction

• Stuffy nose.
• Tingling in the mouth.
• An itchy, red rash.
• Throwing up (vomiting).
• Watery poop (diarrhea).

Signs of a Very Bad Reaction

• Puffiness (swelling). This may be on the lips, face, or tongue, or in the mouth or throat.
• Breathing loudly (wheezing).
• A hoarse voice.
• Itchy, red, swollen areas of skin (hives).
• Dizziness or light-headedness.
• Fainting.
• Trouble breathing or swallowing.
• A tight feeling in the chest.
• A very fast heartbeat.

Follow these instructions at home:

General instructions

• Avoid the foods that you are allergic to.
• Read food labels. Look for ingredients that you are allergic to.
• When you are at a restaurant, tell your server that you have an allergy. Ask if your meal has an ingredient that you are allergic to.
• Take medicines only as told by your doctor. Do notdrive until the medicine has worn off, unless your doctor says it is okay.
• Tell all people who care for you that you have a food allergy. This includes your doctor and dentist.
• If you think that you might be allergic to something else, talk with your doctor. Do noteat a food to see if you are allergic to it without talking with your doctor first.

If you have a very bad allergy:

• Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you have an allergy.
• Carry your allergy kit (anaphylaxis kit) or an allergy shot (epinephrine injection) with you all the time. Use them as told by your doctor.
• Make sure that you, your family, and your boss know:
  • How to use your allergy kit.
  • How to give you an allergy shot.
• If you use the medicine epinephrine:
  • Get more right away in case you have another reaction.
  • Get help. You can have a life-threatening reaction after taking the medicine.

If you are being tested for an allergy:

• Follow a diet as told by your doctor.
• Keep a food diary as told by your doctor. Every day, write down:
  • What you eat and drink and when.
  • What problems you have and when.

Contact a doctor if:

• The signs of your reaction have not gone away within 2 days.
• The signs of your reaction get worse.
• You have new signs of a reaction.

Get help right away if:

• You use the medicine epinephrine.
• You are having a very bad reaction. Signs of a very bad reaction are:
  • Puffiness. This may be on the lips, face, or tongue, or in the mouth or throat.
  • Breathing loudly.
  • A hoarse voice.
  • Itchy, red swollen areas of skin.
  • Dizziness or light-headedness.
  • Fainting.
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing.
  • A tight feeling in the chest.
  • A very fast heartbeat.