Food allergies are a growing concern for many individuals in Atlanta and beyond. To address this, people are taking proactive measures like checking ingredients labels and even undergoing food allergy testing. If you believe you or your child might have an allergy, the best way to approach the issue is to visit a food allergy specialist. With expert guidance you can minimize the risk of severe allergic reactions and significantly improve your quality of life.
What Are the Benefits of Visiting a Food Allergy Specialist?
Food allergies may be caused by several allergenic substances that trigger reactions and symptoms of varying severity. A food allergy specialist can accurately identify your specific allergens, then develop a personalized management plan to manage them over the long term.
Access Cutting-Edge Treatments
For some patients, food allergies can pose a significant health risk due to an ongoing threat of anaphylaxis. Advanced treatments, such as oral immunotherapy and other desensitization approaches, are available only from food allergy specialists with the right knowledge, specific training and expertise.
Receive Age-Appropriate Allergy Advice
Food allergy specialists understand the particular challenges that infants, older children and adults face, and the strategies for managing a food allergy will have different components based on a person’s stage of life. Children, as you would expect, will require additional attention here. Parents should meet with school staff and ensure that certain snacks will be avoided, for example.
Get an Accurate Food Allergy Diagnosis
Food allergies are often more complicated than they first appear. For instance, are you allergic to a single tree nut or multiple nuts? Do you have a true milk allergy, or is it a milk intolerance? A specialist can recognize the signs indicating the need for food allergy testing and choose the best option for you, whether it’s skin prick testing, blood testing, or an oral food challenge.
Get Ongoing Food Allergy Management
Effective food allergy management involves monitoring progress and making adjustments as needed. For instance, children will sometimes outgrow milk or egg allergies, and a specialist can accurately track the development of reactions to these foods with allergy testing procedures.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
People with food allergies may need to carry an epinephrine auto-injector with them in case of emergency. Since severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis can be life-threatening, it’s vital to know what to do in such cases.
Create a Customized Allergy Treatment Plan
Food allergy specialists work with patients to craft personalized plans that improve health and quality of life. A food allergy treatment plan might involve guidance on foods to avoid, the lifestyle adjustments to make that minimize the chance of allergen exposure, as well as allergy desensitization treatments to build a tolerance to certain foods.
Speak With a Food Allergy Specialist in Atlanta
If you or your child experience even mild symptoms after exposure to a food, speak with one of our food allergy specialists today. Our allergy treatment centers are located in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Druid Hills, Duluth and Johns Creek. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment now.
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