Things You'll Need:
- Computer or phone book to conduct search of available allergy providers in your area
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Step 1
Be aware of foods that seem to induce an allergic reaction. Babies will typically have symptoms of colic. These symptoms include eczema, diaper rash, mucousy or bloody stools, excessive fussing or crying, high gas production, excessive spitting or vomiting. Adults may notice excessive gas, rashes, abdominal pain, mucous or blood in stools, itchy or swollen throat or tongue after ingesting a food that produces an allergic response. It is not uncommon for adults to develop allergies to foods that they had once been able to tolerate.
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Step 2
Work with your pediatrician or doctor to review your symptoms and see if changing baby formula or avoiding certain foods corrects the problem. Sometimes keeping a food diary will assist with narrowing down the foods that trigger an attack. Be sure to seek emergency medical treatment if throat swelling or difficulty breathing occurs.
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Step 3
Go for allergy testing to pin point if any food allergies are present and to what severity. Allergy testing can be done in several ways. The most common method of testing is to scratch the surface of the back or forearm and then drops of different foods are applied. An itchy red bump will form if you are having an allergic reaction. Another method of testing for food allergies is done by drawing a sample of blood from your vein and doing a RAST test. A RAST test will give you a more specific indication of the severity of a food allergy. The scale ranges from 1 to 6. Typically people with anaphylactic reactions will be near the 6 range and mild allergies will be closer to 1.
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Step 4
Explore options for treatment with your doctor. With severe allergies an EPI pen may be prescribed. This is a small pen sized syringe with epinephrine that can be administered in the event of an anaphylactic response to a food allergen. It is also good to know the appropriate amount of Benadryl to administer if a less severe reaction occurs. These treatments will not cure but will only help to control a reaction to a food allergy.
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Step 5
Research other treatment options available in your area. We had taken our son to a clinic in LaCrosse, WI that has been treating people with food allergies for close to 30 years with sublingual antigen therapy. Their testing was done using the RAST scale and my son was a 3 or less on all of the foods that he was allergic to. We received a mixture of antigen drops specific to his allergens. The antigen drops helps to desensitize the bodies allergy receptors to foods that trigger an allergic response. Twice a day we placed a few drops under his tongue. We had to go back to the clinic every 6 months and the drops were sent to us in the mail. A three month supply was less than $20. After 18 months of sublingual antigen therapy my son was able to eat peanuts, beef, eggs, soy, peas and milk. His RAST test had shown his levels to be between 0-0.3 on all of these foods. Eight years later he is still free from food allergies. I would HIGHLY recommend this therapy for anyone that suffers with or has a child with food allergies.
