Food allergy in adults is an abnormal response of the body’s immune system to foods. Although it is most common in childhood, it can be seen at almost any age. Although food allergies are more common in childhood, food allergies that occur in later years may lead to more serious clinical pictures. It is also very important how to treat patients with food allergy-related complaints when they are diagnosed after the examinations are made. In this article, we have written what you need to know about the treatment of food allergy in adults.
The current approach to the treatment of food allergy in adults is based on prevention of the allergen and prompt treatment of allergic reactions. The most important part of these treatment principles is patient education.
Foods That Cause Allergies
Eliminating foods that cause food allergies is the main treatment for food allergies. However, eliminating these foods excessively can sometimes lead to growth and developmental retardation in babies. Food elimination can sometimes also cause nutritional imbalance.
The Importance of a Dietitian in the Treatment of Food Allergy
Removing allergenic foods from the diet greatly reduces the quality of life of patients and their families. The non-allergic family members living with the patient should also be taken into consideration with the help of the dietitian.
In order to prevent the health hazards caused by processed foods containing allergic substances, labeling showing the allergic substances in packaged and processed foods is made. However, foods that contain contaminated amounts or less in labeling may not always be labeled. You need to pay attention to this situation. Patients should always check food labels before purchasing them to ensure they do not accidentally eat the food they are allergic to. Individuals differ from each other in various aspects such as age, gender, activity, familial history and disease states. Therefore, the nutrition to be planned besides the general principles should be specific to the individual. It is important to regulate the diet by dietitians who are experienced in food allergy. While regulating the diet, necessary vitamins, calories and protein should be replaced.
Drug treatment of food allergies is necessary to eliminate early reactions or prevent progression to more serious lesions. Antihistamines, which eliminate the reactions that occur in food allergies, only eliminate the patient’s complaints, they do not eliminate the allergic nature. Antihistamines should be given in the treatment only when there are complaints.
The majority of patients with IgE-mediated food allergies suffer from other atopic conditions and asthma is common in these individuals. During a food allergy reaction, asthmatic patients tend to have severe asthma attacks. Therefore, proper management of asthma in the beginning and treatment of acute asthma attacks in the context of food allergy is very important. Among the risk factors identified with fatal or near-fatal reactions to food are patients with asthma (especially if initially uncontrolled), epinephrine is not given and can be seen when epinephrine administration is delayed.
Allergy Shock Treatment in Food Allergy
Allergic reactions in food allergies can sometimes be fatal to life-threatening levels. Allergic shock is a condition that needs to be treated in an emergency hospital. For such situations that may occur when allergic foods are taken by mistake, the patient is prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector, which must be carried with him. The adrenaline auto-injector is life-saving and the patient should be shown how to administer the drug and in which situations.
Having mild previous reactions is not a predictor of future reactions, and severe reactions, including anaphylactic shock, can occur with any exposure. A solid team of patient, family, primary care provider, and allergist is the best approach to avoid devastating consequences.
As a result;
- The basis of food allergy treatment is avoidance of allergic food.
- Carrying an adrenaline auto-injector with them can be life-saving for those at risk of having serious food allergies.
- It is very important to read labels to question the presence of allergenic foods or ingredients.