Allergy - Poppy Seed Tips

What are food allergies?

A food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by the body's immune system. Almost any food can cause an allergy, but there are some common triggers including nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, shellfish and peanuts.

Symptoms of food allergies range from mild reactions such as a skin rash or stomach ache to severe reactions such as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis causes airways to swell shut and can be life threatening if not treated quickly.

What causes food allergies?



Food allergies are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. For example, people may have inherited genes that make them more likely to develop certain allergic reactions when exposed to certain foods. ;


Additionally, exposure to certain substances in the environment or poor dietary habits may increase a person's risk for food allergies.



How are food allergies diagnosed?



Food allergies are typically diagnosed with an oral food challenge test or through blood tests that measure specific antibodies against particular foods in the blood serum.


If these tests show evidence of sensitization (i. E, the presence of antibodies to particular foods), then it is likely that the individual has a food allergy. ;


After diagnosis and confirmation testing of suspected allergens has been done it s very important that patients learn how best to avoid their specific trigger foods and what treatments they should have on-hand in case they do get exposed.



What are the signs and symptoms of food allergies?

The signs and symptoms of food allergies can vary widely, but usually involve some combination of hives, rash, itching, difficulty breathing, a decrease in blood pressure and/or tightness in the throat.

Some common symptoms of food allergies include:



Hives (itchy red spots)


Swelling in the face or tongue


Wheezing or breathing difficulties


Vomiting or abdominal pain


Itchy skin rashes such as eczema


Diarrhea


Runny nose or congestion


Headache/migraine


Anaphylaxis (a severe, life threatening allergic reaction)



What are possible complications of food allergies?



Food allergies can cause serious complications and reactions, ranging in severity from mild to life-threatening. ;


Possible complications include skin reactions such as hives, itching or swelling; respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath; digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea; and anaphylaxis, a sudden and severe all-body reaction that can be life-threatening.


People with food allergies must be vigilant in reading food labels to avoid their particular allergens.



The 8 most common food allergies and their treatment



Eggs allergy: an immune system reaction to proteins in the egg whites or egg yolks. Treatment includes avoiding foods with eggs, as well as taking precautions like carrying and using an injectable epinephrine pen when eating out or travelling.


Milk allergy: an immune system response to the protein in cow's milk. Treatment involves avoiding dairy products, reading labels carefully and finding alternatives like lactose-free and soy milk products.


Peanuts/tree nuts allergy: an allergy to peanut or tree nut based products, such as walnuts, almonds or pistachios. Treatment includes avoiding foods containing these ingredients and seeking medical advice if necessary for severe reactions like anaphylaxis shock symptoms (e. G, swelling of the throat and tongue).


Wheat/gluten allergy: gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and other grains that can cause digestive issues for those with wheat allergies or celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten). Treatment includes following a gluten-free diet including whole grain grains such as quinoa, amaranth and millet, as well as avoiding processed foods that often contain gluten (e. G, breads and pastas).


Fish/shellfish allergy: allergies related to substances found in fish skin or shellfish meat or eggs can cause allergic reactions ranging from mild itching around the mouth to life-threatening anaphylactic shock symptoms (e. G, swelling of the throat). Treatment involves avoiding fish/shellfish products altogether or substituting them for non-allergenic foods like tofu depending on severity of reaction (s).


Soy allergy: allergy to proteins found in soybeans which are used commonly in many ready-made foods such as vegan cheese and certain types of breads/pastas due its high protein content.


Mustard allergy: this allergy is a reaction to mustard seeds & its products that contain mustard, such as mustard powder and prepared mustards. Allergic symptoms can include skin rashes, digestive issues, and anaphylaxis.


Sesame allergy: this allergy is a reaction to sesame seeds & its products that contain sesame, such as tahini. Sesame allergy can cause anaphylaxis.



;What are the surgical treatments for food allergies?



Surgical treatments for food allergies are relatively limited. Generally, the focus is not on surgical intervention, but rather on dietary and lifestyle modification to avoid the allergen altogether.


In severe cases where exposure is likely to occur, such as accidental ingestion in a restaurant or intentional ingestion by a patient with poor compliance with their diet, immunotherapy (oit) may be recommended by select allergists.


This entails gradual introduction of small amounts of the allergen into the patient's system to help their body become accustomed and tolerant over time. ;


Additionally, endoscopic hydrodissection with topical corticosteroids has recently been used as a potential therapy in certain cases of anaphylaxis, although effects have yet to be proven surefire or long term in nature.


Endoscopic hydro-dissection: endoscopic hydro-dissection is a minimally invasive procedure used to help diagnose and manage food allergies. This procedure involves the use of saline and water solution to dissect, identify, and eliminate tissue involved in the allergic reaction. This method can also be used to obtain a sample of the areas affected by allergy for further testing. With endoscopic hydro-dissection, physicians can more accurately diagnose food allergies and identify which foods are causing reactions so they can be avoided in the future.



Best doctors to consult for food allergies?



Allergists: an allergist is a doctor specifically trained to diagnose and treat allergies, asthma, and immunologic disorders. They use skin or blood tests to determine which food (s) is causing an allergic reaction and suggest personalized avoidance strategies.


Gastroenterologists: some gastroenterologists may specialize in food allergies unusually severe cases of food intolerance, which involve gastrointestinal difficulties including vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.


Dietitians: a dietitian can help patients with food allergies create an appropriate meal plan as well as provide dietary advice on how to make sure the diet includes the essential nutrients yet avoids foods that might trigger an allergy attack.

Sometimes, during consumption of certain food items many children get itchy throat, eyes, ears, asthma, sneezing, rashes, diarrhea and eczema. This can be due to food intolerance in children. It is a form of allergic disease in children. Every 1 out of 10 children suffer from food intolerance. These days, food allergies are becoming more and more common in children who are allergic to nuts, milk and eggs. In some cases it can also be life threatening. This condition is known as anaphylaxis. Milk and egg allergies are more common throughout the world.

Symptoms of food intolerance:

Bloating

Your bowels start becoming irritable.

Stomach starts to ache.

Cough and cold is a common symptom.

Itchy skin rash

Causes of food intolerance in children:

There are enzymes in your body, which help you to digest the food you consume. Some enzymes in your body are insufficient; which further causes food intolerance in children. For instance, lactose intolerance causes spasms, stomach aches, diarrhea and so on so forth.

Food intolerance can also be caused due to chemicals, such as chemicals present in coffee, tea, cheese and chocolates.

Some food products can also cause food intolerance such as undercooked beans containing aflatoxins can cause extreme stomach infections in children.

Some children are also intolerant to certain food products which have salicylates such as majority of fruits, vegetables, herbs and also additives. Processed food contains a high amount of salicylates.

Children can be allergic to antioxidants like artificial food coloring, artificial flavouring and preservatives.

What to do if you think your child has food intolerance?

Take your child for a skin prick test. In this test, the skin is pricked with a thin needle and when the blood oozes out, supplements of different food products are put in that area. If that particular area becomes reddish and begins to itch, your child has allergy to that certain food product

A blood test should be done. It verifies the level of lgE present in your blood and finds out if your child is suffering from food intolerance or not. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a doctor.

Food allergy is actually an abnormal response triggered by the immune system to food as if it is threatening. Food intolerance looks similar to food allergies. However, the difference lies in how each one of them affects an individual. Food allergy is extremely intrinsic and to an extent, affects the internal organs.

On the other hand, food intolerance is less severe, mostly just affects the digestive system due to the inability to digest that particular food properly, leading to an upset stomach. Most of the people suffer from food intolerance only, but they confuse it with food allergy.

About ninety percent of all cases of food allergy are related to only eight types of food as per research statistics. These are milk, tree nuts, egg, peanut, soy, wheat, shellfish, and fish.

The Reaction:\

In order to understand how symptoms manifest, it is of utmost importance, in this case, to understand how an allergic reaction to food occurs. An allergic reaction is a bi-step process as discussed further.

Step1: On exposure to the food allergen for the first time, the body reacts abnormally and produces IgE antibodies against the perceived allergen. These circulate throughout the entire body with blood and attach themselves to basophils (found in blood) and mast cells (found in sites like the nose, lungs, throat, gastrointestinal tract, skin, etc.).

Step 2: The next time the body is exposed to a particular food allergen, it gets alert and alarms the tissue that releases histamine in large quantity. Depending on the site of release, allergy symptoms are caused, ranging from mild to severe to potentially life-threatening (for example, in anaphylaxis).

The time span for an allergic reaction manifesting into symptoms can vary between a few minutes to several hours post exposure to the food allergen. The site of mast cells for release of histamine greatly affects the location and timing of the reaction.

Who is at Higher Risk?

If a person has a family history of developing a food allergy, it creates even greater chances for him/ her to have the same or similar reactions. If both the parents have some kind of allergic reaction to food, it is very likely that the child would have that too.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of food allergies largely depend on the sites of mast cells that release histamines. It is possible that these sites are located in nose, ears, or throat leading to itching in mouth, having a trouble in swallowing and breathing, and swelling of lips and tongue. If the location is in the gastrointestinal tract, it may lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. If it is in the skin, it might lead to hives, itching, decolourization, pigmentation, worsened eczema, etc.

Cross Reactivity:

If a person has an allergy to a particular food, it is advisable to abstain from similar types of food. For example, if somebody is allergic to crab, he/ she should abstain from shrimp, crayfish, lobster, etc. too as they might also trigger the reaction. This is called cross reactivity.

Treatment:

It is always advisable to abstain from foods which cause an allergic reaction in an individual. However, in case it has already occurred, there are two major types of medication which help in relieving the symptoms. Antihistamines are used for treating mild to chronic reaction, whereas adrenalines are used for severe reaction like in anaphylaxis.

Take Away:

Food allergy is usually a condition for life and cannot be permanently treated. However, symptoms can be relieved. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid the allergy, causing group of food.

Food Intolerance & Allergies

Allergies are a reaction of your immune system to any foreign matter, such as pet dander, pollen or bee venom, and not everyone is affected in the same way.

Antibodies are substances produced by your immune system to protect you from harmful invaders that can cause infections or make you ill.

The immune system produces antibodies when it comes into contact with allergens. Your immune system can recognise any allergen as threatening even if it s not. As a result, your skin, airways, digestive system or sinus gets inflamed.

Allergies can vary greatly in severity from mild irritations to anaphylaxis (a likely life-threatening emergency). Allergies are mostly incurable; however, there are various treatments available to alleviate allergy symptoms.

Causes-

Common triggers of allergy include:

Airborne allergens, such as mould, dust mites, animal dander and pollen.

Certain foods, especially milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, soy, wheat, tree nuts and peanuts.

Insect bites, such as wasp stings or bee stings.

Medications, specifically penicillin-based antibiotics or penicillin.

Latex, or any allergen you touch, causes skin infections.

Symptoms-

Symptoms of allergy depend on its type.

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) symptoms include:

Sneezing

Itching of the roof of the mouth, eyes or nose

Stuffy, runny nose

Swollen, red or watery eyes (conjunctivitis)

Symptoms of food allergy include:

Tingling mouth

Swollen throat, face, tongue or lips



Hives

Anaphylaxis (a critical, deadly allergic reaction)

An allergy caused by insect stings can manifest in symptoms such as:

Swelling at the site of the sting

Hives or itching

Breathing problems, wheezing, coughing or chest tightness

Anaphylaxis

A drug allergy can lead to symptoms such as:

Hives

Itchy skin

Rashes

Facial swelling

Wheezing

Anaphylaxis

Atopic dermatitis (skin allergy) symptoms include:

Itching

Reddened skin

Peeling or flaky skin

Treatment-

Treatments of allergy include:

Avoiding Allergens: Your doctor can help you take necessary steps to recognise and avoid the allergens that trigger allergies. This is usually the most relevant step in the prevention of allergic reactions and reduction of symptoms.

Medicines to Lower Symptoms: Eye drops, nasal sprays or oral medications are commonly prescribed to reduce reactions and alleviate symptoms.

Immunotherapy: If the allergy is severe or other treatments fail to relieve symptoms, allergen immunotherapy is recommended. In this treatment, you get injected by a number of clarified allergen extracts over the years.

Emergency Epinephrine: If your allergy is severe, your doctor will provide you with an emergency epinephrine shot that you can carry with you everywhere.

Hi,

I am Dr. Major Gen. K S Rao, Pediatrician. In every hospital, the pediatric department is very essential. We should always have a good and trained pediatrician who all are there to look after the children. When the growth and development of the children have been looking after for the children. We also see the nutrition part of the children. Parents think that this is not good or that is not good for kids to eat. They think that a particular thing could be allergic to their kid so they should not eat as they will become allergic. You should not start giving enough protein to the kids. By giving enough nutrients to the kids, they can really grow well. Whenever kids are going to school, they should always have enough thing to eat. They should meet their 30-40% of the calories through breakfast.

By the time kid will reach to his, he will complete 100% of the calories. Whenever you are looking at your diet, you should always meet your all vitamins and minerals requirement. Vitamin D3 and calcium are most important. By the time the child reaches 2-3 years, the hemoglobin will fall rapidly and it might be round about 10-11. The kid also may suffer from iron deficiency. And because of that, they may suffer from anemia. So, we should start the iron supplementation from the age of 6-8 months. Calcium and vitamin-D3 supplementation can also be given. In most of the children, we see that vision is not as accurate as it should be. It gradually reaches 6/6 by 5-6 years. And that is the only reason that they start reading after 5-6 years of their age. As the child grows, their growth also takes place. Then 2nd growth takes place at around 8-10 years. Soon they start to reach their main height.

Purposely and perpetually you have to see all these growth factors in your kids, always give them the best advice. Their behavior, and rest other things also get change. Kids also learn good habits. Following with the adolescent age starts, this age is the confused stage. This child is just 14 years of age. He starts observing the things and they do not know what is happening to their body. Initially, they are fat, suddenly they start changing themselves. They change mentally, physically and emotionally. Otherwise, they are also not able to understand the changes what happens in them especially the sexual growth. But it may happen that a girl will start liking a guy who is having the attitude kind of her father then she has to be told what is wrong and what is right. There are 14-15% of the adolescent who has become pregnant. So, if you want to protect them, you have to give them complete knowledge about everything. Sex education is a must for all children. If the adolescent age group is looked at very well, it may result in various problems. Drug addiction is another thing which is one of the most dangerous habits which is seen in children and there are a lot of people who are an anti-national element who will come and sell drugs to the children. So, whenever you see that kids are behaving in a different way, you should always see what is wrong with them and catch those people to punish them.

Thank You!

You may be surprised to know that the health of your gut influences the health of your brain. The microbial imbalance in your gut is linked to various psychiatric disorders. Leaky gut or intestinal permeability is one of the gut disorders that can cause inflammation in the brain. It has been linked to certain mental disorders like depression.

What is a leaky gut?

It is a digestive condition, in which the intestinal wall is damaged due to your diet, the presence of a protein called zonulin or some medications. All bacteria and toxin waste products leak through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. This condition triggers the immune system and causes widespread inflammation and allergic reactions like a migraine, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, food allergies etc.

Leaky gut and the brain:

Research shows a link between leaky gut and a number of mental disorders, like-

Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Anxiety
Parkinson s disease
Autism spectrum disorder
Rett s syndrome

The leaky diet

You can prevent high permeability of your intestines if you manage and plan your diet with the right food

What to eat-

Leafy vegetables - Spinach, cabbage, asparagus, lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower are high in all the important nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, folate, folic acid, selenium etc. These enhance the production of neurotransmitters in your brain. They help you to stay away from high anxiety and depression.

Animal liver and meat - Animal liver is the best for your mental health. Chicken, beef, fish, lamb are high in protein, zinc, potassium and vitamin. Animal liver is the best for your mental health.

Fermented food - Yoghurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, ginger, fermented cucumbers contain beneficial bacteria that reduce the symptoms of high anxiety and stress.

Fruit - Pears, apple, apricots, berries and peaches are low glycemic fruits that prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut.

Whole grains - Rice, quinoa, sorghum, etc. elevate your mood by inducing serotonin release in the brain.

To decrease the risk of gut permeability and to maintain your mental well-being, focus on a healthy diet free of sugar. Remember that a healthy gut will lead to a healthy mind.

Sometimes, during consumption of certain food items, many children get itchy throat, eyes, ears, asthma, sneezing, rashes, diarrhea and eczema. This can be due to food intolerance in children. It is a form of allergic disease in children. Every 1 out of 10 children suffer from food intolerance. These days, food allergies are becoming more and more common in children who are allergic to nuts, milk and eggs. In some cases, it can also be life-threatening. This condition is known as anaphylaxis. Milk and egg allergies are more common throughout the world.

Symptoms of food intolerance:

Bloating

Your bowels start becoming irritable.

Stomach starts to ache.

Cough and cold is a common symptom.

Itchy skin rash

Causes of food intolerance in children:

There are enzymes in your body, which help you to digest the food you consume. Some enzymes in your body are insufficient; which further causes food intolerance in children. For instance, lactose intolerance causes spasms, stomach aches, diarrhea and so on so forth.

Food intolerance can also be caused due to chemicals, such as chemicals present in coffee, tea, cheese and chocolates.

Some food products can also cause food intolerance such as undercooked beans containing aflatoxins can cause extreme stomach infections in children.

Some children are also intolerant to certain food products which have salicylates such as majority of fruits, vegetables, herbs and also additives. Processed food contains a high amount of salicylates.

Children can be allergic to antioxidants like artificial food coloring, artificial flavoring and preservatives.

What to do if you think your child has food intolerance?

Take your child for a skin prick test. In this test, the skin is pricked with a thin needle and when the blood oozes out, supplements of different food products are put in that area. If that particular area becomes reddish and begins to itch, your child has allergy to that certain food product

A blood test should be done. It verifies the level of IgE present in your blood and finds out if your child is suffering from food intolerance or not.

Allergies are caused by unnatural reactions between your body's immune system and foreign substances, which have gained access into the body. When these substances, known as allergens, enter your body, your immune system produces antibodies, which are responsible for warding off unwanted substances like harmful viruses or diseases and helping in the body's overall resistance.

The main cause of allergy is the uncontrolled reaction between the immune system's antibodies and harmless allergens. Allergic reactions are triggered when antibodies, like histamine, come into contact with particular types of allergens. These may include:

Certain eatables: Peanuts or sea food
Medications: Penicillin or penicillin-based antibiotics
Airborne allergens: Pollen, mold, or dust mites
Insect stings: Bee stings or scorpion stings
Latex: Latex or other substances, which are responsible for causing allergic skin reactions
Allergy affects mainly two systems - Respiratory and Skin.

Common respiratory allergy problems are as below:

Allergic Bronchitis
Asthma
Sinusitis
Allergic Rhinitis
Tonsillitis
Nasal Polyp
Adenoid
Recurrent Cold & Cough
Dust Allergy
Common skin allergy problems are as below:

Allergic Dermatitis
Contact Dermatitis
Eczema
Urticaria
Drug Allergy
Food Allergy
All these allergic problems are curable with homeopathic treatment.

Symptoms of allergies depend upon a wide range of factors, which are subjective and vary from person to person and from allergen to allergen. Depending upon the type of allergen involved and the nature of the allergy, symptoms may include any of the following:

Facial swelling
Wheezing
Severe itching
Swollen or red and watery eyes
Hives
Flaky skin which can peel off
These symptoms are common in mild to moderate allergies, such as atopic dermatitis, hay fever, drug or food allergies. There are certain rare cases (say, scorpion stings), however, in which the allergic reaction turns out to be potentially life-threatening. This type of reaction is known as anaphylaxis. Here are its signs and symptoms:

Nausea and vomiting
Loss of consciousness
Skin rashes
Intense shortness of breath
Lightheadedness
Homeopathy effectively deals with any sort of allergy by taking into account individualistic symptoms and thus nipping the root cause in the bud. Natrum Mur, Urtica Urens, Sulphur and Natrum Carb, among others, are very effective medicines against allergies. But these must be taken after due discussion with the doctor as they check out the symptoms and then prescribe the medicine basis that.

Anaphylaxis Definition:
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening if not treated right away. It can occur on your body within no time. It generally occurs when you get exposed to something with which you have an allergy including bee stings or peanuts. Due to anaphylaxis, the immune system of a person can release a lot of chemicals that can cause the person to anaphylactic shock. Because of this, there can be a sudden drop in blood pressure, blockage in breathing, and airways can become narrow. Vomiting, weak or rapid pulse, nausea and a skin rash are some of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. In order to treat anaphylaxis, a person needs an immediate injection of epinephrine or adrenaline. If adrenaline injection is not available, then the person should be taken to an emergency unit. Sometimes, it can be life-threatening if not treated properly on time.



Anaphylaxis Symptoms:
Symptoms of anaphylaxis can be noticed within some minutes of being exposed to an allergen. The symptoms can also appear around or after half an hour of the exposure to an allergen. Check out the various signs that may occur due to anaphylaxis:

- You can have various skin reactions due to anaphylaxis including itching, pale skin, and hives.

- Your airways can become narrow and throat or tongue can swell which can lead to trouble in breathing or can cause wheezing.

- Weak or rapid pulse is a common symptom of anaphylaxis.

- Anaphylaxis can lead to nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting.

- You may suffer from hypotension or low blood pressure due to this allergic reaction.

- You may have a feeling of fainting or dizziness in anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis Causes:
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction. Generally, this problem occurs in children due to an allergy from certain food items including fish, peanuts, milk, and shellfish. Besides all these food items, anaphylaxis can occur in adults due to various reasons including:

- There are some medicines that cause you anaphylaxis including aspirin, antibiotics and some over-the-counter medications.

- There are some imaging tests that use intravenous contrast IV that may lead to anaphylaxis.

- The allergy can occur due to proteins found in natural rubber latex may lead to anaphylaxis.

- Stings from yellowjackets, stings, fire ants, wasps, and hornets are also the causes of anaphylaxis

- It is not common but there is a possibility that people can get anaphylaxis from doing aerobics or exercises that may include jogging and even from the exercise which is less intense like walking. Some people can catch anaphylaxis if they eat certain food items before exercising in cold, humid or hot weather. You should talk to your doctor about the precautions that you need to take when you are exercising.

There are various tests that help to rule out the allergen that caused you an allergic reaction. Sometimes, the exact cause of anaphylaxis is not known.

How is it diagnosed?
As soon as you experience the symptoms or signs of anaphylaxis, you should visit the best doctor for the diagnosis as anaphylaxis is a serious problem and can threaten your life. Your doctor will do a physical examination and he or she will ask you about the previous history of allergic reactions. Your doctor will check from you if you are allergic to certain food items, insect stings, latex or some medicines. If you have a history of allergic reactions than there are chances that you will have a reaction in the future. Your doctor might ask you to go for some tests in order to be sure about the diagnosis. For this purpose, some skin or blood tests can be done. A test can be done in which you are exposed to a bit of thing that can be a reason for your allergy. Check out the various tests that can be done for the diagnosis:

- Allergy skin prick or scratch test: It is a common method used for testing an allergy. In this test, a small amount of substance is placed on your skin that has been suspected to be a reason for your allergy. After the placement of substance, your doctor pricks or scratches your skin in order to introduce the substance under your skin surface. Then the skin is closely noticed by your doctor for a reaction which can include redness or swelling.

- Percutaneous or intradermal testing: It is also a skin testing method used for confirming the presence of the disease. In percutaneous testing, a needle is introduced into the outer layers of the skin for injecting a drop of allergen and then the epidermis is lifted up gently. In intracutaneous testing, a small amount of allergen is injected into your dermis.

Others conditions can also have symptoms of anaphylaxis. Your doctor will do his or her best in order to find out other conditions too.

Prevention of Anaphylaxis:
It is a rare but serious allergy that can even threaten your life. This allergy can occur to you all of a sudden. Check out some of the ways that will help you to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis:

- Tell your friends and family about the substances with which you are allergic so that they do not mix those substances in the food that they cook for you.

- Grab your own food when you are going to some unknown place and you have no idea about their meal plan.

- Sometimes, allergy can also occur due to touching the food items with which you are allergic. Before grabbing a seat, you should be sure that the area around you is clean and does have any evidence of food that can give you an allergy.

- Check the ingredients of packaged food items before buying and make sure that they do not include the items with which you are allergic.

- You can wear a medical bracelet that alerts you about the allergies.

- If you are allergic to stings of insects then you should wear clothes that cover you completely whenever you go outside.

- Always keep epinephrine or adrenaline injection kits with you.



Treatment of Anaphylaxis:
Check out various treatment options that are available for the patients affected by anaphylaxis:

- Epinephrine or adrenaline: It is generally used as an initial drug in case of anaphylaxis. It is more effective when injected just after the exposure to an allergen. If not injected at the earliest then it can lead to complications even death. It is used to minimize the allergic response in your body.

- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): It is an emergency procedure that can be used when you have an attack of anaphylactic due to which you are not able to breathe and your heart is not beating.

- Cortisone and intravenous (IV) antihistamines: These are used to minimize the inflammation or swelling in your air passages and also to help you in improving your breathing.

- Oxygen: If a patient affected by anaphylaxis is facing problem in breathing then oxygen may be given to the patient help in breathing.

- Beta-agonist (like albuterol): Your doctor may prescribe a beta-agonist (like albuterol) in order to relieve the symptoms related to breathing.



Complications
Check out the various complications that are associated with anaphylaxis:

- Anaphylactic shock: Sometimes people can have an allergic reaction to the exposure of insect sting, latex, medicine, and some food items. This can lead to anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening condition. Due to this, the immune system can release some chemicals that can flood the body resulting in anaphylactic shock.

- Other complications: Sometimes due to anaphylaxis, people stop breathing and they suffer from a blockage in air passages because of the inflammation or swelling of the air passages. You may also suffer from a heart attack due to anaphylaxis.

Myths related to Anaphylaxis
Check out various misconceptions that people have about anaphylaxis:

Myth #1: Anaphylaxis happens right away.

A lot of people think that anaphylaxis happens right away. But the reality is that it happens after a few minutes of exposure to an allergen including medication, insect sting, latex, and certain food items. There is also a possibility that you experience the symptoms of anaphylaxis around or after half an hour of exposure to an allergen. The symptoms can back sometimes even after the treatment. That is why a person should be admitted to the hospital so that he or she gets complete care for several hours.

Myth #2: Anaphylaxis can be treated with over-the-counter medicines.

The initial treatment that should be given in case of anaphylaxis is injections of epinephrine or adrenaline. It helps to raise your heartbeat and also open your air passages. This medicine is injected into the muscle of your upper thigh. If you are not sure about the symptoms then also you can use this as it would not cause you any harm even if it is not anaphylaxis. You can get these injectors on prescription only. You should always keep them with you. It is a serious problem, so it is important that you visit a hospital.

Myth #3: Epinephrine or adrenaline is not easy to inject.

Epinephrine or adrenaline is easy and safe to inject. You can do this on your own. People think that epinephrine has various side effects but there are very less. There is a possibility that may get nervous with the idea of using a needle. You should always keep the kits of auto-injector with you so that you can use it when required. You should ask your doctor about the right tips to use this injector.

Myth #4: It is easy to know the exact cause of anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis can occur due to an allergen that may include certain food items, medications, latex and insect sting. Various tests can be conducted to diagnose anaphylaxis. But sometimes it is not possible to know the exact cause of anaphylaxis. Such cases are known as idiopathic anaphylaxis. It is important that you visit the best doctor as soon as you discover the symptom as it is a fatal problem.

Conclusion
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction that can occur if you get exposed to something with which you are allergic. Itching, pale skin, hives, fainting, dizziness, low blood pressure, weak or rapid pulse and trouble in breathing are some of the symptoms of anaphylaxis. As soon as you experience the symptoms of anaphylaxis, you should visit a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor may conduct various blood and skin tests in order to diagnose anaphylaxis and provide you with treatment. Epinephrine or adrenaline is a drug that is used initially to treat the problem of anaphylaxis. You can inject epinephrine or adrenaline on your own. You should always keep the kits of adrenaline auto-injectors with you. You should cover yourself completely while going outside if you an allergy from the insect sting. Before eating anything outside, you should confirm that it does not include any item with which you are allergic. Anaphylactic shock is a major complication associated with anaphylaxis that can even lead to death if not treated properly on time or left untreated. It is important that you should visit a hospital for the treatment of anaphylaxis as it is a serious problem that requires proper care for several hours.