If you are a professed foodie then you may not even want to entertain the possibility that you might have a food allergy; however, a whopping 15 million Americans have food allergies. So, if you are noticing that a certain food is suddenly causing some gastrointestinal distress, you may just want to visit our Metairie, LA, allergy specialist, Dr. Alan Sheen for answers.

What are the different kinds of food allergies?

According to Food Allergy Research & Education, there are about 170 foods that have been reported to cause allergic reactions. Of course, the most common food allergies include:

• Shellfish
• Soy
• Wheat
• Milk
• Meat
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Egg
• Corn
• Milk

Symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe. Severe food allergies can result in throat tightening or trouble breathing. If you experience these symptoms it’s important that you seek immediate medical attention.

What are the warning signs of a food allergy?

The most common causes of a food allergy include:

• Itching mouth/tingling lips
• Hives
• Facial swelling (this can include the lips and throat)
• Trouble breathing
• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
• Dizziness or fainting

Symptoms usually develop within a few minutes of consuming the problematic food; however, symptoms can appear up to 2 hours after. If you are experiencing symptoms it’s a good idea to call our Metairie, LA, allergy doctor to determine if your symptoms are due to a food allergy.

How do you treat a food allergy?

While it might be obvious, the most common treatment for a food allergy is to just stay away from the offending food. This is a surefire way to prevent symptoms from manifesting. Of course, sometimes other treatment options can be helpful. For example, if you have lactose intolerance you may benefit from taking medication before consuming dairy products. Certain over-the-counter or prescription medications are designed for those with lactose intolerance to make it easier to consume these foods without issues.

Those who have a severe allergic reaction to certain foods may be given an EpiPen, an injection of epinephrine. This device should only be used during severe, emergency situations and this is an injection you will give yourself.

If you are living in Metairie, LA, and suspect that you might have a food allergy it’s important that you call our very own Dr. Sheen to schedule a consultation. Let’s help you figure out what’s going on and how to stop it from happening so you can go back to enjoying your daily meals.