About 33 million people in the United States have at least one food allergy. That breaks down to one in 10 adults and one in 13 children.
If you have food allergies, allergy expert Catherine Fuller, MD, recommends that you plan ahead so you can stay safe in your daily life and travels. At our office in West Los Angeles, California, we provide allergy testing as well as immunotherapy to help you manage your food allergies.
A food allergy is more than a sensitivity to a food. Sensitivities can create gastrointestinal distress, as something in the food is difficult for you to digest and break down. But if you have a food allergy, your body goes on the attack when you eat something with that ingredient.
Common food allergies include:
Your immune system is usually triggered by proteins in your target foods. By overreacting to what should be a benign substance, your body creates symptoms such as:
When your airways swell and you have trouble breathing, you may experience a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Call 911 and get to the emergency room right away if you don’t have an epinephrine auto-injector, such as the Epi-Pen®.
How can you stay prepared for food allergies? Dr. Fuller offers these five tips.
If you have food allergies or severe allergies, you’re at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis, which shuts down your airways so you can’t breathe. To stop an attack before it’s too late, you must inject yourself with epinephrine.
We supply this hormone in the form of an Epi-Pen or other injectable device. Always carry your Epi-Pens with you, whether you’re in the car, at work, or at play. We recommend two, rather than one because you may need a backup if the first has expired or is dysfunctional, or you may require two doses to stop a severe attack.
Also be sure to keep track of your Epi-Pens expiration dates. Don’t discard older ones until you get new ones, though.
When you’re shopping for food and buying prepared items, be sure to read ingredient lists carefully. If you’re allergic to nuts, even some nut-free foods are manufactured on the same equipment that services nut-based foods. This should be indicated on the label.
If you’re at a restaurant, or at a friend’s home or party, don’t hesitate to ask how a dish is prepared. Sauces made with dairy or seed oils could trigger your allergies.
Share your food allergies with your friends, family, and servers at restaurants. Don’t assume people will remember based on your last visit or time together.
When booking airfare or other travel that includes meals, be sure to request special meals. If you don’t have that option online, call the airline, hotel, or travel agent.
You can also carry an allergy card that you can hand to your waitstaff or chef. If you’re traveling in other countries, be sure to get the card translated accurately into the local language. You can download allergy card templates in various languages here.
You may wind up in a situation where the people who are supposed to feed you can’t guarantee their dishes won’t trigger your allergies. To avoid hunger or the temptation to take a chance, carry allergy-free snacks with you at all times.
Even if you take every precaution to avoid a food allergen, one might slip by. You might even get triggered by the smell or accidental touch of someone else’s food or food that’s touched your own portion.
In addition to carrying an Epi-Pen, consider wearing a medical bracelet or ID with your medical information and emergency contacts on it. Make sure you know how to use an Epi-Pen, and train your family and friends, too. Try to ensure that any work or leisure trips take place within the vicinity of a hospital, so you can get care if you need it.
Do you have — or suspect you have — food allergies? Contact Catherine Fuller, MD, for food allergy testing and treatment today.
