Wondering whether you or your child has a food allergy and how to live with it? The top-rated team of board-certified specialists at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology of the Rockies, P.C., in Avon, Basalt, Aspen, Frisco, and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, have the answers. They can help you manage rather than fear your food allergy. Schedule a visit today. Call or book your appointment online.
Essentially any food can cause an allergic response, but the most common culprits include:
Eating these foods alone can cause a reaction, but it’s also important to avoid products that contain these foods, such as prepackaged meals or your favorite casserole recipe.
And it’s often difficult to determine just what foods you should avoid. You may, for instance, notice symptoms after eating strawberries and cream. But is it the cream or the strawberries causing your itch? The only way to know for sure is through a comprehensive allergy evaluation that includes allergy testing.
As with other allergies, the symptoms you experience can vary greatly and may range from mild to severe. They can affect your stomach, cardiovascular system, your skin, and your respiratory system. You may notice:
You may experience just one or a collection of symptoms, which can occur within a few moments of eating the food or hours later. It’s also important to note that a food intolerance is not the same as a food allergy, even though the digestive symptoms may appear similar.
Not everyone with food allergies has a severe reaction every time they’re exposed to their trigger. However, food allergies are known to cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency that can impair breathing and lead to sudden, severe drops in your blood pressure. To complicate things further, you may have a mild reaction one time and a severe reaction the next time you consume the same food.
While you should respect the possible consequences of food allergies, discovering which foods you’re allergic to and learning how to avoid your triggers can put you back in charge of the menu. And if you or your child has been diagnosed with a food allergy, your provider will likely prescribe an epinephrine (adrenaline) auto-injector to use in case of a severe reaction. Adrenaline helps counter the effects of anaphylaxis and can be life-saving.
For patient-focused, practical care regarding food allergies, schedule a visit today at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology of the Rockies.
