Severe allergic reactions to food can cause swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat, total airway obstruction, trouble breathing, and respiratory arrest. These reactions require emergency food allergy treatment at the closest hospital; however, mild reactions may respond well to conservative at-home remedies. Here are some things you can do at home for a mild allergic reaction to something you ate.
OTC Antihistamines
Over-the-counter antihistamines decrease the production of histamines in your body. Histamines cause allergic reactions such as hives, itching, swelling of the mucous membranes, and gastrointestinal reactions. Antihistamines may also help ease the anxiety that may be associated with an allergic reaction.
If you develop a minor reaction to something you ate, taking an antihistamine may relieve your symptoms. While it is acceptable to take an antihistamine for minor allergic reactions to food such a mild case of hives or itching, a runny nose, or scratchy throat, severe reactions may require a visit to the hospital or urgent care center.
For severe allergic reactions, intravenous antihistamines or an epinephrine injection may be needed to relieve your symptoms. After emergency food allergy treatment has been administered, the emergency room or urgent care physician may recommend that you see an allergist for further treatment and allergy testing.
Eat An Orange
Oranges contain bioflavonoids such as quercetin and tangeretin, which have antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Bioflavonoids can help relieve symptoms of an allergic reaction to food by enhancing capillary function and by inhibiting the release of histamine from your mast cells.
Oranges are also high in vitamin C, which is also thought to have strong antihistamine properties. Increasing your intake of vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges will also help boost your immune function so that you may be less likely to develop food allergies.
Optimal vitamin C intake may also make your allergic reaction symptoms milder if you do eat a trigger food. In addition to oranges, other foods such as lemons, grapefruit, limes, grapes, and bell peppers are also high in bioflavonoids.
If you are concerned about food allergies, make an appointment with an allergist, who can perform sensitivity tests to determine which foods you are allergic to. When you have this information, you can avoid the offending foods so that you stay safe and reaction-free. If your doctor determines that you have a severe allergy to a certain food, they may recommend that you carry a pre-filled epinephrine device in case you accidentally ingest the trigger food.
For more information, contact a food allergy treatment service in your area.