Monthly Archives: November 2018

Tips to Keep Your Children Free from Food Allergies During Holidays

According to statistics, 6% of children suffer from food allergies. Food allergies are an immune response to certain foods. The food allergy will vary from one child to the other with the reaction being mild, severe or life threating. It’s important to work with the allergist Manassas to establish the food that is causing and develop a mechanism to protect your child from the allergy-causing food. As the holiday approach, if your child is allergic to certain foods it’s important to ensure that they don’t eat the food. As you shop for food make sure those delicacies don’t contain the allergens that affect your child. In this article, we tell you how to ensure your child enjoys the holidays despite having food allergies.

How to Avoid Food Allergies During the Holidays

Below tips to help you avoid the different types of food allergies.

  • Plan ahead and communicate

If you are attending an event with your child who is allergic to certain foods make sure you communicate what your child is allergic to. Inform them of what the child is allergic to and the main sources of allergens. Ask that they remove the allergens from the menu if its possible. If it’s not possible to remove the allergen from the menu come up with a way of avoiding the allergens. You can request for part of the kitchen to be reserved for the food without the allergens.

  • Carry Safe Food as you Travel

To reduce the risk of eating foods with allergens or coming into contact with food that causes allergies carrying the right food as you travel will reduce the chances of food allergies. Its also makes traveling easier and fun because you don’t have to wander away looking for food.

  • Monitor your child During events

If your child has food allergies, it’s important to ensure that you keep a close eye on them to prevent them from consuming allergens. A child may get over excited to see other consuming food that contains allergens and that may lead to food allergies. If your child is old enough train them on what causes allergies and how to avoid the allergens. The allergy doctor can train the child on how to avoid allergens. Inform the children to alert you before they take any food. Train older children on allergens that affect them and how to avoid the specific allergens.

  • Offer to Host Gathering or Cook During Gatherings

The health and safety of your child are paramount. If you can host or cook the food the child that will ensure the safety of your child. Getting involved in the cooking process will ensure that your child is safe.

  • Be ready in case of Emergencies

It’s important to ensure that family members understand your child allergy situation and what to do in case of severe allergies. Make sure they know what to do in case the child is in an environment which is not safe. You can request a different room for the child with allergies. You can also suggest that gathering be held in a more safe environment where they are not in contact with allergens.

  • Choose the right Destination for your family

Before you travel to explore places that offer with no allergens. Travel to places where you can communicate clearly Explain the child need before travel and confirm that food with no allergens will be available.

  • Always read the labels

Before you let the child indulge in snacks read the label and ensure there are allergens in the food. Even if you have previously bought the snack reread the label to avoid any surprises. The snack manufacturer may have introduced an allergen without prior notice.

Speak to Allergy Physician and Get a Meal Plan

The health of your child is important and it’s crucial to ensure that the child feeds on a balanced diet during the holidays. Speak to the allergy specialist on the best food supplement you can stock or carry as you travel. Consult the allergy specialist on ways to avoid the allergen. Ask for medications to use in case of an emergency

The above tips will help you and your child enjoy the holidays without developing severe allergies. Make the necessary arrangements before traveling to ensure the comfort of your child. Visit the allergy clinic and consult on any medication you can carry in case of an emergency.

How to Manage Drug Allergies

Drug allergies result when the body immune system reacts to medication. A drug allergy is different from a drug reaction or toxicity. A reaction is already anticipated by the drug manufacturer while an allergy may not be. Different people react differently to medication and it’s therefore important that you see an allergy doctor when you experience any symptoms after taking a drug.

Symptoms of Drug Allergies

  • Skin rashes or hives
  • Itching and breathing problems
  • Swelling of the mouth and throat
  • Congestion
  • Anaphylaxis which is life-threatening.it can cause breathing issues, dizziness, fainting, anxiety, high pulse rate, and confusion. Contact the allergy doctor immediately to avoid fatalities.

The symptoms of a drug allergy can occur immediately they are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Drugs that Cause Allergies

Below are the drugs that are likely  cause allergies;

  • Antibiotics such as amoxicillin, tetracycline
  • Nonsteroid like ibuprofen   and aspirin
  • Sulfa drugs
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Monoclonal antibody therapy
  • HIV drugs
  • Insulin
  • Antiseizure drugs
  • Muscle relaxers
  • Penicillin
  • Anticonvulsants

How to Diagnose Drug Allergies

To diagnose the drug allergies, visit the allergy clinic for a drug allergy test. The allergy specialist will carry out a skin test or a drug challenge. A skin test is accurate when testing for penicillin.

How to Manage Drug Allergies

  • Avoid drugs that cause allergies
  • Visit the allergy physician immediately to avoid the symptoms from worsening
  • Inform your family and health care providers of any previous allergies.

It’s hard to diagnose drug allergies. The symptoms of drug allergies resemble other types of allergies. Symptoms such as rashes and hives and asthma may result from other allergies and it’s important to visit the allergy clinic for a diagnosis. Below are some of the questions the allergist is likely to ask

  • What drugs did you take and which one do you think caused the reaction?
  • When did you start taking the drug that caused the allergy and are you still taking it?
  • After how long did you notice the drug symptoms and what symptoms did you notice?
  • How long did the symptoms last and how did you relieve them?
  • Have you taken any other medication or over the counter medication?
  • Did you take any other medication to relieve the symptoms allergies?
  • The allergist will also want to know whether you have a reaction to any other drug. It’s good to bring the drugs you have taken to the allergy specialist.
Facts About Drug Allergies

Below some facts about allergies;

  • Anybody can have drug allergies.

Prescription medication and over the counter medication can cause drug allergies. Some triggers such as antibiotics and pain relievers are more likely to trigger allergic reactions than other.

  • Symptoms may start right away or after weeks

Drug allergies can cause symptoms as soon as the drug is ingested or may take minutes or weeks. It may become hard to figure out the cause of the allergy and it’s therefore important to visit the allergy clinic for allergy testing.

  • Drug symptoms may range from severe to mild. Mild symptoms include rashes or give and may affect your nose, throat, and ears. Severe symptoms may be life-threatening.
  • A drug allergy is different from drug side effects. Drug side effects are expected while an allergy is not.
  • A drug allergy can occur at any time. A drug you have taken for a long time can result in an allergic reaction.

An allergic reaction may not occur the first time you take a drug. It may occur the second time you take the drug.

  • Having other allergies increases the chances of a drug allergy. Having the below allergies will increase the risk of drug allergies

Hay fever

Previous drug allergies

History of allergies in your families

Diseases such as leukemia, HIV

You can manage drug allergies

It’s important that consult the allergy physician who will give you alternate medication. Make sure you notify the allergy doctor as soon as you get the symptoms

Make sure that you consult the allergist Manassas when you experience the above signs to avoid any fatalities. Visit the allergy clinic and take an allergy test to diagnose which drug is causing the allergies. If the drug causing the allergy has no alternative, the allergy specialist will advise on how best to take the medication.