Food Allergies Limiting, But Manageable
Food Allergies Limiting, But Manageable
Most fatal or near-fatal reactions to food allergies are due to delayed epinephrine treatment, says John James, MD, who practices with the Colorado Allergy and Asthma Centers in Fort Collins. Although patients can be reluctant to use an epinephrine injection and rely on antihistamines, they should know that antihistamines are ineffectual against anaphylaxis, he says.
A food allergy diagnosis can be overwhelming, says Sherry Hubbard, RD a dietitian with the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic. Reading labels is a must each time the products are bought because ingredients change. "Patients or parents should ask questions about anything they're eating or thinking of eating," she tells WebMD.
Having a positive attitude can help the food-allergic person from getting discouraged, says Anne Mu' oz-Furlong, the founder and president of Food Allergy Network. Parents of food-allergic children should discuss the allergies with school staff, including food service personnel, she says.
Researchers are trying to identify ways of treating food allergies beyond avoidance, Harold S. Nelson, MD, tells WebMD. He is a senior staff physician at National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, where he is a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado.
Food Allergies Limiting, But Manageable
Most fatal or near-fatal reactions to food allergies are due to delayed epinephrine treatment, says John James, MD, who practices with the Colorado Allergy and Asthma Centers in Fort Collins. Although patients can be reluctant to use an epinephrine injection and rely on antihistamines, they should know that antihistamines are ineffectual against anaphylaxis, he says.
A food allergy diagnosis can be overwhelming, says Sherry Hubbard, RD a dietitian with the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic. Reading labels is a must each time the products are bought because ingredients change. "Patients or parents should ask questions about anything they're eating or thinking of eating," she tells WebMD.
Having a positive attitude can help the food-allergic person from getting discouraged, says Anne Mu' oz-Furlong, the founder and president of Food Allergy Network. Parents of food-allergic children should discuss the allergies with school staff, including food service personnel, she says.
Researchers are trying to identify ways of treating food allergies beyond avoidance, Harold S. Nelson, MD, tells WebMD. He is a senior staff physician at National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, where he is a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado.
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