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Tips for Avoiding Dangerous Allergic Reactions
The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to know your triggers and avoid them whenever possible. It's also important to carry epinephrine and know what to do if you have a reaction.
The job of your immune system is to protect you from outside invaders like viruses and bacteria. But your immune system sometimes produces antibodies in response to substances that are not harmful at all, such as certain foods or medications.
This immune system response to a usually harmless irritant or allergen is called an allergic reaction. Most allergies are not severe — they're just annoying. Common symptoms include itchy or watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose.
Avoiding allergic reactions
The only sure way to prevent a severe allergic reaction is to completely avoid your triggers. This may sound like a nearly impossible task, but there are several ways to reduce your risk. The steps you can take to protect yourself depend on the type of allergy you have.
The most common severe allergies are those to:
insect bites and stings
foods
medications
Avoiding insect bites and stings
When you're allergic to insect venom, outdoor activities can become stressful.
Here are some tips to help prevent bites and stings:
Avoid wearing fragrant perfumes, deodorants, and lotions.
Always wear shoes when walking outdoors.
Avoid drinking soda from a can since insects can become trapped inside.
Avoid wearing bright, patterned clothing.
Cover food when eating outside.
Avoiding medication reactions
Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about any drug allergies you have. If you have a penicillin allergy, they might tell you to avoid taking similar antibiotics, such as amoxicillin (Moxatag). If the drug is necessary — such as a contrast dye for a CT scan — your doctor might prescribe a corticosteroid or antihistamines before administering the drug.
Certain types of drugs are more likely to cause severe allergic reactions, including:
Avoiding food reactions
Avoiding food allergens can be difficult if you don't prepare everything you eat yourself.
When at a restaurant, ask detailed questions about the ingredients in the food, and don't be afraid to ask for substitutions.
When buying packaged food, read labels carefully. Most packaged foods now have warnings on the label if they contain common allergens.
When eating at a friend's house, be sure to tell them about any food allergies ahead of time.
Common food allergies
Many common food allergens can cause severe reactions in certain people. Some of them are used as ingredients in a wide variety of foods. Examples include:
milk
eggs
soy
wheat
Other foods can be dangerous because of the risk of cross contamination, which occurs when foods come into contact with an allergen before you consume them. Potential sources of cross contamination include:
fish
shellfish
peanuts
tree nuts
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a life threatening allergic reaction that can occur immediately after you're exposed to an allergen. It affects your whole body. Various tissues throughout your body release histamines and other chemicals, causing dangerous symptoms such as:
narrowed airways and difficulty breathing
a sudden drop in blood pressure
shock
swelling of your face or tongue
vomiting or diarrhea
chest pain
heart palpitations
slurred speech
loss of consciousness
Risk factors
Though anaphylaxis is hard to predict, certain risk factors can increase your risk of a severe allergic reaction, including:
a history of anaphylaxis
a history of allergies or asthma
a family history of severe allergic reactions
If you've had a severe reaction at least once, you're more likely to experience anaphylaxis in the future.
Other ways to stay safe
Avoiding any known triggers is the best way to prevent severe allergic reactions, but they may sometimes occur despite your best efforts. Here are some ways to help yourself in the event of a severe allergic reaction:
Make sure friends and family know about your allergies and know what to do in an emergency.
Wear a medical ID bracelet that lists your allergies.
Never participate in outdoor activities alone if you have a severe insect allergy.
Carry an epinephrine auto-injector or a bee sting kit at all times.
Put 911 on speed dial and keep your phone with you.
Takeaway
Knowing your allergy triggers and avoiding them as much as possible is the best way to reduce your risk of a severe allergic reaction. However, depending on your allergy type, you might not always be able to avoid allergen exposure.
It's important that you know how to use epinephrine and carry it with you at all times. You also need to tell people about your allergies and ensure that your loved ones and others you spend time with know how to help you if you have a reaction.
