Tips for Managing Life with a Food Allergy
“Finding out that you have a food allergy (or that someone in your family has one) can be stressful, but life with a food allergy doesn’t need to be difficult. It's important to know you are not alone and millions of other people feel the same way. With plenty of knowledge and a little bit of planning, you can make sure that food allergies don’t get in the way of living your life. Below are some great tips on how to make life with a food allergy easier.
1. Knowledge is your best friend
When it comes to a food allergy, the best way to keep you or your family safe is to learn as much as you can about the condition, and the allergen itself. Find out what the risks are, and how to best protect yourself. Ask your doctor any questions you have, do some research online (but check where you get your information from!), and reach out to others that have had similar experiences with food allergies. If you have a child with a food allergy, make sure that they understand what foods they need to avoid, and why.
2. Plan for allergen avoidance
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent an allergic reaction except to completely avoid the allergen. This includes all products that definitely contain the allergen as well as those that “may contain,” "manufactured in a shared facility", or “processed on the same equipment.” Learn what you need to look for on food labels, as the allergen may be hiding under a different name. It's better to be safe than sorry, so if you aren’t sure about a product, it's best to leave it behind.
3. Learn to recognise a reaction
There are a range of different symptoms that could suggest an allergic reaction is happening, so it is important to know how to recognise them for what they are. The symptoms of a reaction can vary from person to person, and even from reaction to reaction in the same person. Become familiar with the different symptoms that can occur so that you’re better prepared for an emergency.
4. Always keep your medication on you
When a reaction begins, it’s important to respond as quickly as possible. Be ready to treat a reaction by having an epinephrine auto-injector available and knowing how to use it properly and with confidence. Do not forget to bring an EpiPen or epinephrine autoinjector prescribed by your healthcare provider whenever you're away from home. Make a mental note to check if you change purses or jackets for a night out.
5. Don't let your food allergy control your life!
When you find out that you or someone in your family has an allergy, it can be scary, but it doesn’t need to be. With the right preparation, you should be able to go about life nearly as normal. The more that you learn about the allergy, the more confident you will be, helping you to avoid unnecessary anxiety on top of what you are already dealing with.
myWellaBee can help you with stress-free food shopping
Buying food for people with allergies can be a frustrating experience… but myWellaBee is about making the complex world of food, simple! Is that item really gluten-free? Does it contain traces of tree nuts? myWellaBee displays all the key product info you need so you can make educated decisions and buy with confidence. Reach out to us today to learn more.
References