Food Allergies

Food allergies impact around 33 million American adults, increasing their risk of dangerous reactions, including anaphylaxis. If you worry about unexpected reactions or want answers about a new sensitivity, turn to Robert McDermott, MD, Amy Johnson, PA-C, and the team at Allergy Asthma Immunology of the Rockies in Basalt and Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The skilled allergists can investigate and ease food allergies with safe allergy testing and science-backed treatments. You don’t have to risk stressful situations — protect your health and peace of mind by calling the friendly staff or booking online today.

What causes food allergies?

If your immune system mistakenly identifies a food protein as harmful, it responds by producing antibodies. When you eat that food again, these antibodies attempt to fight off the protein, triggering an allergic reaction. As a result, you now have a food allergy.

The good news is that you don’t have to resign yourself to enduring disruptive symptoms or risk dangerous anaphylaxis. The experts at Allergy Asthma Immunology of the Rockies can help.

What are common food allergies?

The foods that most typically trigger allergies include:

• Wheat
• Soy
• Cow's milk
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Sesame

While you’re more likely to develop a food allergy during childhood, they can crop up later in life.

What symptoms should I look for with food allergies?

Food allergies cause a range of symptoms, some more serious than others. Common symptoms include:

• Skin rash
• Nausea and vomiting
• Wheezing
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Itching in the mouth or ears

You may notice symptoms within a few minutes of eating a triggering food, or it may be a couple of hours later that you realize something’s not right. Your symptoms’ intensity might also vary between mild reactions and more severe ones.

Do food allergies trigger anaphylaxis?

Food allergies are a leading cause of anaphylaxis. Use your epinephrine auto-injector, if you have one, and seek immediate medical intervention if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling lips, tongue, and throat
• Dizziness
• Hives
• Fainting

Without emergency care, anaphylaxis can send you into shock, lead to an irregular heartbeat, or even result in death. Dial 911 right away if you or someone close to you shows signs of anaphylaxis.

How are food allergies treated?

Your first step to treating food allergies is identifying and eliminating triggering foods from your meals. At Allergy Asthma Immunology of the Rockies, Dr. McDermott can help guide this process. He’ll also likely prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector, so you always have one in an emergency.

He may also use treatments to reduce your risk of a severe reaction, such as injections or oral and sublingual immunotherapy programs, which increase your tolerance of an allergen.

If you suspect your child has a food allergy, Dr. McDermott can craft a treatment plan that fits your family’s health needs and lifestyle, alongside guidance on keeping them safe at their school or daycare.

To get help with food allergies, call or book online today.