Content

• Steps
• Warning

Allergic reactions come in many forms, from mild seasonal allergies to severe, life-threatening allergies. We may be allergic to certain factors such as foods, medications, and immunotherapy. Milk, eggs, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish are all common allergenic foods.Whether you have a mild or severe allergy, you need to know how to handle the reaction to reduce the pain and even save your life.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Treatment of a mild allergic reaction

1. 

   Watch for symptoms of reaction. The first thing you will know about your allergies is when you have a sudden allergic reaction. If you have never had an allergy before, it will be difficult to recognize these symptoms. However, you can save your life by looking for the warning signs. The symptoms below are mild and do not require emergency medical attention. However, mild symptoms can develop into a severe allergic reaction, so keep an eye on your condition for at least an hour after these symptoms appear.
   • Sneeze and mild cough
   • Watery, itchy, and red eyes
   • Runny nose
   • Itching or redness of the skin; often progresses to urticaria. Urticaria is red, itchy, and swollen skin with the size of the affected area ranging from small to large with a diameter of several centimeters.

2. 

   
   
   Use commercially available antihistamines. This medicine is used to treat a mild allergic reaction with symptoms that have not progressed. You can choose from a variety of medications and should be prepared at home in case of an allergy. Always take the medicine according to the directions on the label.
   • Benadryl. This is a common allergy medication that includes urticaria due to its rapid action. You can take the medicine with or without food and should drink a full glass of water with it. Do not take more than 300mg within 24 hours as this can lead to an overdose. Note that Benadryl often causes drowsiness, so be careful when driving or operating machinery. If you feel sleepy, take a break from these activities.
   • Claritin. Although used to treat urticaria, it is effective against seasonal allergies and hay fever. You can combine with food or not. The drug does not cause drowsiness, but still has side effects, so you should monitor the condition before driving or operating machinery. You should only take Claritin once a day.
   • Zyrtec. Dosage is usually 5-10mg per day, taken with or without food. Possible side effects include confusion or loss of consciousness, so be careful when driving while using Zyrtec.
   • The drug is used on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. You should also drink water while taking Allegra, as the juice can interact with the drug. They also cause drowsiness like antihistamines.
   • There are also prescription drugs with stronger effects.
   • Talk to your doctor about medications that are right for you. Some people are allergic or sensitive to certain ingredients, so make sure this medicine is safe for you.

3. 

   
   
   Treat urticaria and itchy skin with over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. Hydrocortisone works to reduce swelling and itching caused by urticaria. There are a variety of hydrocortisone creams available today in pharmacies. Check all labels to make sure the cream contains hydrocortisone.
   • Hydrocortisone cream can be prescribed in a variety of different types. If the medicine bought from the pharmacy does not work, you should see your doctor for a stronger prescription.
   • Alternatively, you can apply a cold washcloth to the area of ​​the hives if you don't have hydrocortisone cream.

4. 

   
   
   Watch for symptoms for several hours after the onset of allergy. Allergic reactions can begin 5 minutes to an hour after exposure to the allergen. Mild symptoms can progress to a severe reaction. If you have difficulty breathing, itchy mouth and throat, or wheezing, you should get emergency help right away. If swelling is blocking your airways, you may suffocate for a few minutes.

5. 

   See an allergist. When the allergic reaction goes away, you need to see an allergist. Your doctor will check to find the cause of the allergy and prescribe medications or use immunotherapy to correct symptoms. advertisement

Part 2 of 4: Treatment of a severe allergic reaction

1. Note the risks of anaphylaxis. The allergy can be serious and life-threatening due to effects on breathing and blood circulation. Anaphylaxis phenomenon is considered by the Red Cross to "fix first, call" emergency later due to the rapid and severe response.
   • If you have someone to assist you, you should have them call an ambulance while you are treating yourself for anaphylaxis as described above. If you don't have help and you notice severe symptoms (see below), you need to fix it right away.

2. 

   Beware of severe symptoms. Depending on the type of allergic reaction, your reaction may start with mild symptoms and slowly deteriorate, or symptoms may appear immediately. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you are experiencing anaphylaxis and need prompt treatment.
   • Severe symptoms include swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, decreased blood pressure, weak pulse, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and loss of mind stay awake.

3. 

   Use EpiPen if available. EpiPen is an injection pen epinephrine and is used to treat anaphylaxis.
   • Hold the EpiPen firmly in the middle and direct the orange tip to the ground.
   • Remove the green safety cover at the top.
   • Place the orange head on the outer thighs. You do not need to take off your pants, as the needle will pierce the fabric.
   • Press the orange tip hard on the leg. The needle will be removed and the epinephrine is infused.
   • Keep the injection in place for about 10 seconds so that all the medicine is inserted inside the body.
   • Take out the EpiPen and keep it with you so that the medical staff know the amount of medicine used.
   • Massage the injection site for about 10 seconds to allow circulation.
   • You can still use the expired EpiPen, but the effect can be drastically reduced.

4. 

   Call ambulance. Call the ambulance immediately and notify the operator that you are allergic. Do not drive yourself to the emergency room. Emergency personnel use pre-existing epinephrine to stop a reaction.
   • After an injection of epinephrine, you should still see your doctor. Epinephrine will end after 10 to 20 minutes and you may experience an allergy again. Go to the emergency room or call 115 for medical help.

5. 

   See an allergist. When the allergic reaction goes away, you need to see an allergist. Your doctor will check to find the cause of the allergy and prescribe medications, EpiPen, or use immunotherapy to correct symptoms. advertisement

Part 3 of 4: See an allergist

1. 

   Find your local allergist. You can get referrals from your doctor or access the internet to find specialist information.

2. 

   Remember each activity when you have an allergic reaction. Sometimes the cause of the allergy is obvious. For example, if you eat peanuts and experience anaphylaxis 10 minutes later, this is the culprit of the allergic reaction. However, if you are just taking a walk in the street and have an allergic reaction, it can be caused by many different factors. To assist the allergist, you should write down all the facts that trigger the reaction, such as what you ate or touched and what? Where have you been? Do you take any medications or not? These questions will help the allergist determine the cause of the allergy.

3. 

   Skin test. After discussing and understanding the situation, the doctor will test the skin to determine the cause of the allergy. The test involves putting a few allergens on the skin, sometimes lightly injected onto the skin's surface. After about 20 minutes, if you are allergic to something, your skin will become red and itchy.This sign tells the doctor that this is an allergen, and will treat it accordingly.

4. 

   Get a blood test if necessary. Sometimes the allergist will recommend a blood test. This is because you are taking medications that cannot do a skin test, have a skin condition, or your doctor wants to confirm your allergy with another test. The blood test is usually done in a laboratory and takes a few days to show results.

5. 

   Prescribe EpiPen. Even if the allergy is less severe, ask your doctor to prescribe EpiPen. Symptoms can become worse if you experience an allergy next time, and having an EpiPen ready may help. advertisement

Part 4 of 4: Allergy control

1. 

   Avoid irritants. After seeing your doctor, you will know what triggers the allergic reaction. With this information, you should try to stay away from allergens. Sometimes it's simply an allergy to food or another more complicated thing is an allergy to pets. In theory, anything can cause an allergy, so there is no fixed method of preventing the allergen. There are, however, some typical types of allergic reactions that you can take with standard precautions.

2. 

   Be careful when preparing food. If you have a food allergy, check the label to make sure the food doesn't contain the allergen. Sometimes the main ingredients are not printed on the label, so talk with your allergist or even a dietitian if you have questions. Always inform the restaurant server of an allergy to avoid cross-contamination.

3. 

   Limit dirt in the house. If you are allergic to dust, keep your carpet clean, especially in your bedroom. Vacuum regularly, and wear a mask during cleaning. Use tick-proof sheets and pillow covers and wash the sheets often in hot water.

4. 

   Control your pet's movements. If you are allergic to pets, you don't have to give them up. However, you need to limit your pet's movements. Keep animals away from bedrooms and areas where you live regularly. You can also clean your carpeting to avoid accumulating dirt. Bathe your pet once a week to remove as much hair as possible.

5. 

   Avoid insect bites while outside. If you have an insect allergy, don't walk barefoot on the grass and wear a shirt and pants when working outside. In addition, you should cover the food to the outside to avoid attracting insects.

6. 

   Inform medical staff of any drug allergy. Every time you visit, let your doctor know about your condition. Discuss alternative medicine to which you are allergic. You should also wear an emergency medical collar to let emergency personnel know that you are allergic to the drug.

7. 

   Carry an EpiPen with you. You should carry your EpiPen with you wherever you go when an allergen is present to assist in the event of an allergic reaction while outside.

8. 

   Take the medicine as directed. An allergist may recommend one or more medications for allergy symptoms. These may include over-the-counter antihistamines or prescription corticosteroids. No matter what medication your doctor prescribes, use it on a scheduled schedule to control allergy symptoms and minimize the risk of a severe reaction.

9. 

   Apply immunotherapy. Some allergens can be prevented with immunotherapy. This method works to gradually reduce the response to an allergen by injecting a small amount. Usually the injection is given weekly for several months, then gradually decreasing the frequency. Therapy works against allergens such as dust, pollen, and insect venom. You should consult with your allergist about this method. advertisement

Warning

• Always consult your doctor before starting any new medication or therapy.