New allergy diagnosis?
Read this important article first!
 

Whether it’s a peanut allergy or the news that you’re allergic to your boyfriend’s dog, being diagnosed with allergies is no picnic. It will take some time to adjust to a new lifestyle if you’ve been asked to change your diet or modify your environment to deal with aeroallergens such as animal dander or dust. But the time you invest in learning more about your allergy (or allergies), the better.

But, first of all, don’t panic! Allergy is very common nowadays, and it’s (unfortunately) on the rise. From peanut allergies to cat and dust allergies, you’re in good company. Fortunately, we live in a culture where allergy-awareness is much improved, and products and books exist to make your life easier.

Take a deep breath and check out these 10 tips that can help you cope with the initial part of the learning curve:

1. If you’ve been diagnosed with anaphylaxis - a potentially life-threatening allergy, be sure to ask your doctor about prescribing an EpiPen or TwinJect epinephrine autoinjector. Learn how to use it, and don’t be afraid to do so if you feel the beginnings of an allergic reaction. It could save your life. If you plan to be more than 10 minutes away from an emergency room, be sure to carry one autoinjector for every 10 minutes’ distance from the emergency room. If you’re planning a vacation, be sure to carry enough epinephrine, especially if you’ll be travelling by plane.

2. If you’ve been diagnosed with a food allergy, learn how to read food labels in search of potential allergens. For example, while labeling laws have improved over the past few years, you might not know that mandelona nuts, are, in fact, peanuts pressed to resemble almonds. Other telltale words, such as casein or rennet, are milk allergens. Check with your local allergy association for more information about these hidden allergens.

3. So, your allergist has told you that Fido has to go. Or does he? Generally speaking, the best possible treatment for allergic symptoms caused by pets is to remove the animal from the home.

But it’s not always that simple if you’re deeply attached to your pet. If so, consider speaking to your allergist about other options, such as keeping your pet in a special, designated area away from the allergic individual, having other areas carefully cleaned to remove as much dander as possible, and washing your pet with special shampoos designed to denature (neutralize) animal dander. Working with your allergist, you may find a way to keep Fido in your life after all. But do keep in mind that some animal allergies can be potentially life-threatening, and that sometimes, the only option is the removal of the animal followed by a thorough cleaning of the home.

4. Just been diagnosed with an allergy to dust or mold? Fortunately, there are many new products out there that can help keep your symptoms at bay - from allergen-reducing pillowcases to HEPA vacuum cleaners. I’ll be reviewing a number of these products here. (I’ve tried quite a few!)

5. If you’ve been informed that you have hayfever (i.e., tree or plant allergies, including ragweed allergy), there are a number of ways you can reduce your exposure and consequently, your symptoms. First of all, during allergy season, remember to change your outdoor clothing when you come indoors, and put on some fresh clothes. This keeps the pollens off of your furniture and bedding. As well, be sure to wash your hair before bedtime, to keep microscopic pollens off of your pillow - and out of your breathing passages.

6. If you have a food allergy and still want to eat in restaurants, be sure to ask the chef about the allergens present in the kitchen area. For example, if you’re allergic to fish, and order a steak, uninformed chefs may flip your steak with a fork used to prepare the salmon at the cooking station. That’s called cross-contamination, and it can be dangerous, particularly because the allergenic proteins are invisible. Speak with the chef, and trust your instincts. If you don’t think they’re allergy-aware, don’t eat there. And even if you do trust the reply you receive, be sure to carry your Epipen with you at all times.

7. Have you been diagnosed with a medication or latex allergy? If so, be sure to have this inscribed on a Medic-Alert or other similar bracelet. (Please see tip #9, below.) Whenever you’re planning on a medical procedure, be certain that all of the nurses and doctors are fully aware of your medication and/or latex allergy, and be sure that they write it prominently on your chart. If it’s not already procedure, ask them to give you a hospital bracelet with this information written out in red or some other vibrant color. Don’t be afraid to ‘correct’ your health professional if you see them donning gloves that appear to be latex. Ask the pharmacist to confirm that the prescription you’re about to take is not related to the medication to which you’re allergic.

8. If you have a food allergy, and your symptoms are mild, count yourself lucky. But don’t assume you can dig into that PB&J! In some cases, a mild reaction can be followed by a more severe reaction the next time you eat the allergenic food. When in doubt, check with your allergist.

9. Whatever your allergy, wear a Medic-Alert or other similar bracelet or jewelry to speak for you if you cannot. You can have the jewelry inscribed with your allergies or other conditions. Medical professionals then have the important information instantly available to them. In the case of Medic-Alert, they can also contact your doctor and designated friends/relatives by calling a toll-free number with your code number, inscribed on the Medic-Alert jewelry itself. Well worth the low cost for peace of mind! I’ve worn my Medic-Alert bracelet for years.

10. These lifestyle changes can be scary - even anxiety provoking. Find ways to de-stress. Learn how to meditate or do yoga. Keep the above tips in perspective; eventually, learning how to cope with allergy will become second-nature!



© 2009 Allergytimes.com. All rights reserved. This article is provided for general informational purposes only, and is not intended to replace medical advice. When in doubt, please consult with a licensed allergist.
 

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