Allergy is an immune system response to allergens or foreign substance that’s not typically harmful to your body. Allergens include certain foods, pollen, or pet dander.

The function of immune system is to keep you healthy by fighting harmful pathogens. Immune system will act responses attacking anything that poses dangers to your body. Your immune response my involve inflammation, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling, or other symptoms depending on the allergen. Several treatments can help you avoid, reduce the allergic symptoms. The allergic symptoms experience is based on type of allergy you have and severity of allergy.

Today I would like focus on food allergy.

There are 14 ingredients are listed under food allergens in UK. These food allergens can be found in our daily food. Food allergic children and individual should be more aware on these food ingredients like: 

1. Celery

2. Gluten (some cereals, barley, and oats)

3. Crustaceans (prawns, crabs, and lobsters)

4. Eggs

5. Fish

6. Lupin

7. Milk 

8. Mollusks (mussels, oyster etc.)

9. Mustard

10. Peanuts

11. Sesame

12. Soybeans

13. tree nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, macadamia nuts etc.)

14. Sulphur dioxide/ sulphites

Food allergy can happen when food allergic person mistakenly consumes food that contain these 14 food ingredients. Food allergy signs and symptoms include:

• Tingling or itching in the mouth

• Hives, itching or eczema

• Swelling 

• Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing

• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

If you and your family members are known for allergic to certain ingredients, you should aware of these ingredients wherever you buy food or dine out. You should read the products labels and information before buying it. You may ask the ingredients used in dishes before you order. A food allergy is first discovered by what feels like a mild reaction, like tingling of mouth and lips, hives or itchy skin, or an upset stomach. However, these symptoms indicate early stages of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), so caution is always recommended. 

STOP EATING

If your body is reacting to the food you’ve eaten, immediate action is simple: stop consuming the food will be helping to reduce allergic reaction. You should not “test” to see if the food is causing allergic symptoms by eating more. You never ever treat a mild allergic reaction unconcerned. Remember this: repeated exposures when you are recovering from a reaction will only make it worse.

ANTIHISTAMINES

Antihistamines can be purchase from local pharmacy or medial halls for treating the allergic symptoms. Antihistamines can help to treat most minor allergic symptoms regardless of the cause. These drugs help treat conditions caused by overproduction of histamines; a chemical created by your body’s immune system. Antihistamines come in several forms, usually to help deliver the medication closer to source of the reaction such as:

• Oral pills

• Dissolvable tablets

• Nasal sprays

• Liquids

• Eye drops

Antihistamines also can be taken acts prevention medication. Individual may consume it before going to be exposed to an allergen. While pregnant women or individual which suffer liver disorder should consult their medical doctor before taking antihistamines. 

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH ANTIHISTAMINE TO TAKE?

Because there are so many types of antihistamine products, both over the counter (OTC) and prescription. These drugs are used to treat so many different conditions, you may require figuring out which medication to take. For minor allergic ailments, you can probably take OTC products. You can read the package labelling and match your symptoms to the labeled symptoms. If you unconfirmed with both your symptoms and labeled symptoms, never hesitate to ask the pharmacist. They are professional that knew effects and side effects of drugs. If you required a prescription antihistamine, you and your doctor will work together to figure out what medication work best for you. Many drugs interact with antihistamines, so your doctor will want to know what medical conditions you have and medications you are currently taking.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Many traditional medicine practices use herbal supplements and extracts to both treat and prevent allergic reactions. Although there is little scientific evidence to support the use of most alternative or natural remedies, some people may find that some can provide relief from their symptoms.

Dietary changes. A low-fat diet high in complex carbohydrates, such as beans, whole grains, and vegetables may reduce allergy reactions.

Acupuncture. Acupuncture treatments may help some people to find relief from their symptoms.

There are foods that can effectively ease the symptoms of food allergies like:

• Banana

• Turmeric 

• Ginger

These 3 foods have different property to alleviate allergic symptoms. Banana contain essential nutrients that able effectively reduce stomach discomfort and help regulate the body’s metabolism. Thus, consuming banana may not fully cure food allergies, but it does reduce the severity of allergic reactions. While turmeric has rich anti-inflammatory property and serves as an excellent remedy for allergic individual when it combined with milk and honey. Ginger contain anti-inflammatory property to suppress production of inflammatory proteins which eventually reduced allergic symptoms like swelling and irritation in the nasal passages, eyes, and throat. All the above ingredients can be found easily in your kitchen and grocery store. Do free to try these simple and cost-effective remedies for quick relief from your allergies.