Do You Want Relief From Your Milk or Nut Allergy?
The obvious answer is surely a resounding YES! But if you don’t want to get allergy shots, what else can you do?
Doctors are finding oral immunotherapy to be a worthwhile alternative to the much-hated allergy shots. If you suffer from a milk allergy, an allergist will serve you a special brew of diluted milk proteins that you can drink while under medical supervision. The same idea works for many other types of allergies, including the very common allergy to nuts.
Over time, the theory is that your body will build up a tolerance. Your overactive immune system should, over time, realize that these proteins are not quite as big of a threat. Studies have shown that this form of gradual dosing is effective in reducing the severity of an allergic reaction. Rarely will immunotherapy of any kind completely prevent a reaction from occurring, but every little bit helps in the event of an accidental ingestion.
Quick reminder: a milk allergy is not the same as lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance causes bloating, gas, cramps, etc., while food allergies can cause far more immediate symptoms, including (in very extreme cases) anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe immune response, resulting in shock, airway constriction, and more. It sometimes results in death, so please take your allergies very seriously!
OK, so you don’t want to take shots or visit a doctor weekly to chug down a strange protein concoction. What else can you do? How about avoid getting the allergy at all?
Research is still in the early stages, but children whose mothers eat peanuts and other nuts regularly during pregnancy seem to have a much lower rate of nut allergies throughout their childhood. This is similar to other research where children who grow up in a household with a dog or cat experience a much lower rate of pet-related allergies, so it bears looking into further.
Another friendly reminder: if you or a loved one suffers from food allergies, always carry an Epi-Pen and Benedryl, as well as a listing of what trigger foods/substances should be avoided.
Source (external links will open in a new window):
New Ways to Fight Nut, Milk Allergies
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