Ask Food Allergy Expert

Ask Food Allergy Expert/Allergy Specialist/ Allergist

Step 1: Verify the symptoms you are experiencing:

Most common symptoms of allergy include:

Tingling sensation or itching in and around the mouth
Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, throat or other parts of the body
Hives, itching or eczema
Cough, wheezing or trouble breathing
Nasal congestion
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergy.

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis:

Generalized urticaria and angioedema
Itching, tightness in the throat and
Hoarseness of voice
Skin itching, hives, redness
Vomiting, diarrhea, cramps in the abdomen
Respiratory difficulty,
A cough, wheeze

Only a few symptoms may be present. The severity of symptoms can change quickly.

Step 2: Attend any medical facility / Allergist’s Chamber.

Bring all past medical records. Tell your physician about the symptoms.

Step 3: Do Allergy test.

Your physician may advise you to do certain test to find out the cause.

Most common Allergy test includes the following:

Skin test/Skin Prick Test (SPT)- using food allergen
Blood test to detect food allergen-specific IgE
Elimination diet
Oral food challenge

Step 4: Follow medication as prescribed by your physician.

Your Allergist most probably prescribe any of the following medication

Medications include-

Antihistamines: the most common medicine used for allergy. These medicines are effective in mild to moderate allergic reactions.

Most common Antihistamines include:

Fexofenadine
Cetirizine
Levocetirizine
Desloratadine

Corticosteroids:

Oral steroid for a short period of time.

Immunotherapy:

Immunotherapy or allergy shots can change the natural history of allergic disease.
It can cure allergy in a few patients.
It requires long-term treatment.

For severe allergic reaction or in anaphylaxis:

Injection Adrenaline/ Epinephrine. This can be given by personal adrenaline autoinjector or in the hospital.

You can ask a question on Allergy by filling up the following form. This is for a further opinion from the expert. But please remember that a personal contact with any Allergist / Physician is the best for any patient. Any internet advice is not the substitution of any medical condition. It may take time to respond to each and every query.

CFAA