If you have a severe food, insect or medication allergy, your best defense is to know what you're up against. In this Lifescript exclusive, a top allergy expert explains how to deal with a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction in you or your child…
You're eating lunch with friends and suddenly your face gets hot and you feel nauseous. Your throat closes up, and you just can't get enough air.
What's happening? It could be anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Without immediate medical treatment, anaphylaxis can cause the throat to swell shut, cutting off air supply – with potentially fatal results.
It could happen to anyone with a food or other severe allergy, according to research by Food Allergy Research & Education[1].
If you or a family member has a serious allergy, the most important thing you can do is to be armed with epinephrine, a stimulant that quickly relieves anaphylaxis, says pediatric immunologist Maria Garcia-Lloret, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at UCLA's Mattel Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.
Keep an epinephrine auto-injector with you at all times – at home, in your purse and at school if your child is at risk.
References
- ^ Food Allergy Research & Education (www.foodallergy.org)
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