Allergies - Food

For the majority of severe allergy sufferers, avoidance of the specific allergens that trigger their reactions and being prepared to treat those that occur with an immediate shot of epinephrine are the only options. Some people allergic to food, insect stings, or medications may outgrow or spontaneously become tolerant to their allergens. For others, immunotherapy can offer a cure.

The treatment for food allergies is to eliminate the food that causes the allergic response. Treatment approaches such as desensitization whereby the person first eliminates the food then reintroduces in very minute amounts, are ineffective.

The main treatment for allergies is to avoid the exposures that trigger your symptoms. But avoidance is not always easy, and in some cases may be impossible. The first question to ask about treatment is: "Is it necessary?"

The Lung Association gives this proven advice: The best way to treat allergies is to prevent them - stay away from the things that you are allergic to. No treatment will work as well as simply avoiding the allergen in the first place.