Allergies happen because the body’s immune response system is working overtime. This happens because the body reads certain allergens as being hazardous to the health. In turn, a person can experience various allergic reactions, depending on the allergy.
Why Is the Allergy Occurring?
To receive food allergy treatment, you need to first discover the basis for the allergy. While a food allergy can be dangerous, if not fatal, most physical reactions to food do not require an emergency visit to the local hospital. Millions of people have food allergies. Some people may not know they are allergic to a food. That is why you should have the doctor perform a physical to rule out this possibility.
Every three minutes in the world, someone has a severe reaction to food. Anaphylaxis represents this type of allergy. If you have any of the following symptoms after eating food, contact your doctor and get emergency help right away.
- High-pitched breathing or wheezing
- Problems with swallowing or breathing
- Heart palpitations
- Slurred speech
- Swelling of the tongue, eyes, or face
- Chest tightness or pain
- Diarrhea, stomach cramps, or vomiting
- Rapid pulse
Don’t Test Your Suspicions by Eating More of the Food
While some people do not know they have a food allergy, others will know that they are definitely allergic to a food if they suffer the above symptoms. For treating mild allergic reactions, patients must visit the office of a doctor who handles food allergies. If your body reacts negatively to a food, simply stop eating the food. Don’t eat more of the food to see if you experience the symptoms again.
Also, it is important not to treat a mild allergic reaction with indifference. Repeated exposures to the offending food can only make things worse. Some over-the-counter antihistamines can reduce the symptoms associated with a mild allergic food reaction. For instance, the drug may lower the incidence of itching and hives.
However, if hives emerge suddenly, it can lead to anaphylaxis. No over-the-counter medicine can counteract anaphylaxis. The only thing that you can do is to receive an injection of epinephrine. This drug reverses anaphylaxis.
Treating an Allergic Food Reaction with Acupuncture
Some doctors who practice alternative health suggest the use of acupuncture to combat food allergies. The ancient Chinese practice uses small, painless needles to treat meridian points throughout the patient’s body. This form of therapy has been used to treat food allergies, provide a solution for weight loss, and lessen the discomfort of chronic pain.
However, with all that being said, it is easiest to treat any food allergy by avoiding the offending food. You need to know what you are eating that causes an unwanted reaction. If you are unsure about the cause, your doctor can do a series of tests to check your reaction.
To learn more about food allergy treatments, contact a specialist today. Learn more about allergic reactions so you can plan a diet that will be safe and nutritious. Also, read food labels to make sure that you are not eating anything that will make you sick.