How to Treat Nut Allergy Reactions

Peanut allergies are the most common form of nut allergies and can be quite frightening, as the effects can be severe and peanuts are a hidden ingredient in many food products. While the best treatment is prevention, accidental ingestion of peanuts or eating nuts when you don't know you have an allergy can cause a reaction, meaning fast treatment is extremely important. Here are the steps you need to take if you or someone you know has a nut allergy reaction.

Instructions

1. Get to an emergency room for treatment as soon as it becomes apparent that an allergic reaction to nuts is developing. A doctor will immediately give an injection of adrenaline which most often quickly eliminates the signs and symptoms of even a severe nut allergy.

2. Talk to your doctor about injectable epinephrine if you suffer from a severe nut allergy. Injectable epinephrine can be carried with you at all times, helping you to treat reactions to nut allergies when you cannot get emergency care quickly enough.

3. Take antihistamine pills or get an injection at the hospital when you continue to suffer from some of the effects of nut allergies, such as hives and severe itch. Antihistamines alone will not resolve the severe symptoms of a nut allergy; however, they can help you cope with some of the uncomfortable reactions.

4. Prevent a recurrence of symptoms by taking oral steroids after a severe allergic reaction. Oral steroids should be prescribed by a doctor when necessary and should be taken exactly as ordered.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that prevention is the best medicine, as a severe nut allergy is potentially fatal, particularly if it triggers anaphylactic shock. Make sure that you read product labels carefully, avoiding any foods that cause doubt. Additionally, when you order foods at restaurants, be sure to inform your waiter of your allergy so that you food can be prepared apart from other items which may contain nuts.