A food allergy treatment plan that worked in the past may not be the right fit today. Oftentimes a patient will receive a diagnosis, then continue following the original plan even as circumstances evolve. But when your health, symptoms or lifestyle changes, your plan should change along with them. So when is the best time to speak with your Atlanta allergist about updating your food allergy treatment plan?
When Should You Update a Food Allergy Treatment Plan?
Some changes to your food allergy symptoms will require an immediate consultation with your allergist, while others won’t have the same level of urgency. Here are some of the circumstances where your allergist will likely recommend a change to your treatment plan.
You Experience a New or Different Reaction
Your treatment plan may need to be reviewed if you experience an allergic reaction to a different type of food, or your symptoms differ considerably from previous reactions. When there is a noticeable difference, record what happened as well as the circumstances surrounding the reaction, such as illness, lack of sleep, exercise, new medications and so on.
An Allergist Reassesses Your Food Allergy Diagnosis
Children can outgrow allergies to milk, eggs and other foods. However, to confirm if this is the case, allergists often perform food allergy testing once again. In some cases an oral food challenge will be needed to confirm that a patient can safely consume a food without reacting, or to determine if they have reached a higher level of tolerance.
Emergency or Medical Needs Change
A food allergy treatment plan can help you stay safe from severe allergic reactions. But the type of precautions you need to take may change as your allergy or general health shifts. For example, as a child grows the strength of their epinephrine auto-injector prescription might need to be updated. Expired epinephrine will also need to be properly disposed of.
New Routines Affect Food Allergy Management
Also, plans should be reviewed when the environment where food allergy management takes place changes in some way. Here are some examples.
- Starting or changing schools
- Attending camp or after-school activities
- Traveling without a parent
- Beginning college or leaving home
- Starting a new job
- Regularly eating at restaurants
Your Food Allergy Treatment Changes
Starting oral immunotherapy (OIT) changes how the allergy needs to be managed, and should be included in a plan. Adding dosing instructions and what to do if the patient experiences symptoms can keep them prepared. Once treatment is complete, allergists often conduct food allergy testing to see how the immune system responds to the allergen, and the results can influence what’s included in the updated plan.
Visit Us in Atlanta for Expert Food Allergy Treatment Plans
If you or your child react to milk, eggs, peanuts and other foods, it’s important to have the right treatment plan. Schedule a visit to one of our Atlanta treatment centers for food allergy testing, treatment and support. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment.
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