Food allergies can be serious and even life-threatening. Therefore, it’s vital that your staff can clearly and confidently inform customers which foods contain allergens.
Food allergy charts can help your staff make sure the appropriate decisions when handling allergy cases. But it’s also essential that they are reviewed periodically as recipes and suppliers can change over time.
What is an Allergy?
Allergies develop when an individual’s immune system misperceives harmless substances as dangerous threats, producing antibodies to fight them off. This causes further reactions in the form of histamine release and other chemicals; symptoms range from runny nose, itching and swelling of skin or throat to anaphylaxis which requires immediate medical attention if present. Allergies may be caused by foods, medications, insect stings and latex materials among others.
Some allergies may subside with time, while others are permanent. Allergies to milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and crustacean shellfish often remain lifelong; bee stings, asthma and some medications also often trigger reactions in individuals.
People with food allergies must be very wary about what they eat, as allergens can lurk anywhere. It is essential that they read ingredient labels and “may contain” advisory panels carefully as well as wear medical ID bracelets/necklaces that provide information regarding their allergy as well as when and how much epinephrine (adrenaline) they require if there is a reaction; friends, family, coworkers should know how to use an autoinjector in an emergency; additionally they should have written allergy action plans in place for school and other locations they frequent.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of an Allergy?
Allergic reactions result from our immune systems mistaking normally harmless substances for harmful invaders. This substance, called an allergen, includes pollen, pet dander, mold and dust mites in the air; insect stings from bees or wasps; food items (such as peanuts, tree nuts milk fish shellfish wheat etc) as well as medicines like aspirin and penicillin which act as triggers.
An allergic reaction can range in severity from mild to severe. Anaphylaxis, the most severe type of an allergic response, can be life-threatening unless immediate medical treatment is sought. Common symptoms may include wheezing or difficulty breathing; itchy eyes or runny nose; itchy ears or runny nose; swelling of lips, tongue or throat; hives; abdominal pain nausea or vomiting.
Health care providers can diagnose allergies by performing a physical exam and gathering a history of symptoms. Food allergies can be detected via skin tests that involve applying small amounts of suspected allergenic substances to the skin before pricking it; bloodwork can also be performed to check for antibodies to food proteins to ascertain if anyone has experienced an allergic reaction to particular foods. Furthermore, an adrenaline injection (epinephrine shot) may be prescribed by their provider in cases of severe allergic reactions; such shots are advised for individuals who are aware they have food allergies, asthma or bee or wasp sting allergies.
How do I Know if My Child Has an Allergy?
Your child may experience allergy-related symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes and sore throat, skin rashes or hives and runny or itchy ears that mimic cold or flu symptoms. Seasonal allergies typically develop around certain times of year due to pollen from trees, grasses, flowers molds or weeds while year-round allergies tend to be caused by dust mites, pet dander and mold in the environment.
If you suspect your child has a food allergy, it’s essential to arrange an appointment with their healthcare provider as soon as possible. Testing methods include skin-prick or blood tests – with skin prick tests using a needle containing allergen and when touched it causes an itchy hive where touched occurs; blood tests measure IgE antibody levels instead and are often performed when skin tests cannot.
Your healthcare provider will devise an allergy action plan to manage and prevent reactions, providing a food allergy card for use when dining out at restaurants, and explaining how to read ingredient labels and “may contain” panels correctly. Furthermore, it’s also vitally important that both you and those caring for your child understand which foods cause reactions in them as well as the best ways to prepare food safely around them.
What Should I Do if My Child Has an Allergy?
If your child experiences severe allergic symptoms like difficulty breathing, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, immediately use an adrenaline injector (like EpiPen or Anapen) and call 911 immediately. Oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec) may also be beneficial in managing mild allergies symptoms.
Make an appointment to speak to your child’s healthcare provider about any allergies and symptoms they are experiencing, particularly itchy, watery eyes or runny nose that lasts more than 3 days. Your provider may suggest skin or blood tests, or an allergy challenge test using small doses of allergen given orally or through breathing in under supervision; this test allows doctors to gauge how severe an allergy really is.
Avoiding foods to which your child is allergic will help them remain healthy and reduce allergy symptoms. Furthermore, make sure appropriate people such as family, friends, babysitters, teachers and school staff are informed about your child’s allergies; giving out food allergy cards from doctors as well as an anaphylaxis action plan from them would also be helpful. Also ensure their epinephrine autoinjector is always accessible – and all caregivers and school staff know how to use it effectively.
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