Food Allergies Treatment

The type of treatment that you need for a shellfish allergy is going to depend on how severe it is. If you have a rash then over the counter products can help with the itching and the swelling. Most people have Cortisone or Benadryl at home already but if not you should get some. If you have hives your doctor may give you something stronger to help fight them. Hives can come and go over the course of several days too so you will need to continue taking the medication they prescribe until it is gone even if you don’t see the hives.

Some individuals will experience asthma like symptoms when they are allergic to shellfish. As a result they can use an inhaler with an antihistamine to offer some relief. This is why some people that do have asthma never realize that they are allergic to shellfish. They just assume they are having a regular asthma attack. If they eat it often enough though they may be able to make the connection. Depending on the severity of the reaction, an over the counter antihistamine may not be enough. A prescription may be necessary.

For those with abdominal pain or vomiting there isn’t too much that can be done but to be comfortable. Continue to consume clear liquids and broth though so that there is something in the body. You don’t want to become dehydrated. If those symptoms are joined with diarrhea as well then it is even more important that efforts are taken to make sure that dehydration doesn’t occur. If you do become dehydrated you need to seek medical attention.

You can be given fluids through an IV (intravenous fluids) to make sure you are able to recover. This requires you to be in a medical facility where you will have a bag of fluids continually going into your body through a vein. The amount of fluid you will be given and for how long is going to depend on how severe your level of dehydration is.

When an individual has a severe reaction to shellfish their airway may close. They will need to have medication administered in order to prevent that from occurring. Rapid medical attention is key due to the risk of brain damage or a stroke due to the lack of oxygen and the drop in blood pressure. Those individuals are encouraged to carry an injection of medication with them in case they need it in the future as well. Being prepared with this type of treatment can save their life. This type of medication is called Epinephrine.

In order to ensure you get the right treatment, you need to make sure you discuss the situation with our doctor. Don’t attempt to deal with the situation of a shellfish allergy on your own. You need to make sure people around you are aware of it as well. That way they can help you to plan the right course of action. You need to realize that the treatment you used last time may not use in the future. If you experience other allergic reactions to shellfish you may need a more advanced form of treatment to offset it.