Food Allergies - Treatment Overview

The best treatment for food allergies is to avoid the food that causes the allergy. When this is not possible, you can use medications such as antihistamines for mild reactions in drug allergy kit for serious reactions.

Start by talking with your family, friends, and coworkers that you have a food allergy, and ask them to help you avoid the food. Read all food labels and know the other names that can be used for food allergens.

If your baby has an allergy to milk or soy, your doctor may suggest that you either change the formula or feed your baby only breast milk. Specially prepared formulas are available for children who have allergies to soy and milk.

If you or your child has mild allergies, your doctor may suggest counter antihistamines to control symptoms. You may need prescription antihistamines if the counter medications do not help or cause side effects such as drowsiness.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, the first treatment can be performed in an emergency room or emergency personnel. You will be given a shot of epinephrine to stop further release of histamine and to relax the muscles that help you breathe.

How to treat a reaction
If your doctor has prescribed an allergy kit, keep it with you. Syringe containing epinephrine and antihistamine tablets. Your doctor or pharmacist will teach you how to give the injection. Be sure to check the expiration dates of drugs, medicines and replace as needed.

For step by step instructions on how to give the shot, see:

Allergies: Giving an epinephrine shot.
Allergies in Children: Giving an epinephrine shot to a child.

You should also wear a medical alert bracelet or other jewelry that lists your allergies to food. You can order medical alert jewelry through most pharmacies or on the Internet.

Children and Food Allergies
It is important to take special care with children who have food allergies. A child with severe allergies can have a severe anaphylactic reaction to even a small amount of a food allergen. Your child should always wear a medical alert bracelet and carry an allergy kit.

Make sure all caregivers (school administrators, teachers, friends, coaches and caregivers):

- Learn about your child's food allergy.
- You can recognize the symptoms of a food allergy.
- Know where you save the allergy kit and how to give the injection of epinephrine.
- Know to call 911 immediately.

Children may have only mild symptoms in the first few minutes after eating the offending food, but they can have severe symptoms in 10-60 minutes. Children should always be observed in the hospital for several hours after a reaction.

Make sure your child

- Always wears a medical alert bracelet.
- Always carry a kit of allergy. Children at risk of severe allergic reactions should keep computers in school    or daycare, and home. , Mature older children should be taught to get the shot.