If you have food allergies, then you should see your allergy care services professional on a regular basis. This is especially important if you have other medical conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Avoiding the foods in which you are allergic to is the best way to avoid an allergic reaction; however, this may not always be possible because there may be hidden allergens in certain foods that may trigger a reaction.
There are things you can do at home that may either prevent an allergic reaction or minimize the symptoms of a food-related allergic reaction. Here are some home remedies your allergist or asthma services professional may recommend to help manage your allergic reactions.
Vitamins
When you eat certain foods that you are allergic to, the mast cells in your body release histamine, which is a compound responsible for allergic reactions. In addition to sneezing and watery eyes, food allergies can also cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, hives, and swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat. If you develop swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, seek emergency medical attention and do rely on home remedies.
These symptoms may require an epinephrine injection and intravenous corticosteroid therapy to bring relief. If you have food allergies, your physician may recommend that you take over-the-counter antihistamines to manage or prevent a reaction. However, these drugs can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, dry mouth, urinary retention, itchy skin, and blurred vision. Instead, your physician may recommend that you start taking a low dose vitamin C supplement every day.
Vitamin C has potent antihistamine properties and may help stave off an allergic reaction to foods. If you are unable to take vitamin C because of its effects on your digestive system, consider taking a vitamin D supplement because it also has antihistamine properties. Your doctor may want to check your vitamin D levels before you start taking it so that he or she can determine which dosage is right for you.
Hydration
Drinking plenty of fluids, preferably plain water, helps decrease high histamine levels. Avoid alcoholic beverages and coffee because these beverages are high in histamine. Histamine elevations may be the result of the coffee itself or the caffeine in the coffee, so if you have food allergies or histamine intolerance, you should avoid both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. Staying hydrated by drinking water is especially effective in minimizing allergic symptoms such as itching, wheezing, hives, and nasal congestion.
If you have food or other types of allergies, visit your physician regularly. People who have histories of severe food allergies may require periodic food sensitivity testing to determine if they have become sensitive to new foods. To learn more, contact a company like Allergy Asthma Specialists.