Specialists in Hoffman Estates IL area encourage proper diagnoses, action plans to avoid food allergy emergency

Food allergies can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild itching and skin irritation to a potentially life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis, whereby the airways are constricted, the throat and tongue may swell, and the body can go into shock.

In fact, food allergy is reportedly the leading cause of anaphylactic shock outside of a hospital environment. It’s estimated that every three minutes, reactions to food allergies send a sufferer to the emergency room.

It is critical to have a plan in place to avoid potential tragedies. Working with you, Dr. Noga Askenazi and the staff will develop an emergency care plan. This plan includes the following:

• List of foods that cause extreme reactions
• Guide to severe symptoms
• Steps for the delivery of epinephrine
• Instructions for medications
• Emergency contacts

These plans may be distributed to schools or for use when traveling so caregivers and appropriate personnel can react in the event of an emergency in the most prompt and appropriate manner.

It can’t be said enough that each of the areas listed above boasts a set of respective, preventive measures. For instance, eight types of foods account for around 90 percent of all adverse reactions and include eggs, milk, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. While all foods have the potential to be trouble sources, it doesn’t hurt to practice vigilance with these particularly worrisome allergens.

Along these lines, it’s important to read food labels very carefully. Some condiments and sauces can contain notorious triggers such as sesame seeds.

A bracelet or necklace should be worn that notifies others of any medical conditions and triggers you may have. This is vital in the event of an emergency, should you not be able to communicate with responders. It’s also a good idea to carry a “chef card” when you dine out. This alerts chefs and other restaurant staff of food allergies. If you have severe allergies, speak with a chef prior to dining out. This preparation can help minimize the chance of servers inadvertently exposing your meal to allergens while carrying out multiple platters of food, for example.

An epinephrine delivery device is considered a quick-relief or emergency injectable, but these drugs are worthless if you and your loved ones don’t know how to use them. It’s important to know the symptoms to watch out for, as well as basics about the number of doses that may be necessary and procedures for notifying emergency personnel.

These responders may need to administer more epinephrine and policies for those who have been given this drug vary from hospital to hospital.

Before Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois can help you prepare for a food allergy emergency in the Hoffman Estates IL area, our specialists will determine that the correct trigger has been identified. Furthermore, be aware that even though you may have had a minor reaction to the suspected trigger in the past, doesn’t mean you will have such a minor response to the food the next time. Call (847) 888-8802 sooner rather than later to develop or revisit an action plan.

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