Though seemingly simple in appearance, hives can get serious if coupled with other forms of allergy reactions. This article tells you all you need to know about hives.

One of the worst side-effects of allergy is hives. These bumpy, raised and pink patches are not only embarrassing but also itchy, burning and they sting.

Hives can appear at any part of your body any and every time you come in contact or eat some food which throws your immune system on a combat mode to fight the allergens, and you break into an allergic reaction. Hives differ in shape and size. They may be small, like an insect bite or big like a dinner plate. They may also appear in clusters.

The common myth about hives is that they originate from acidic foods like tomatoes or strawberries. The truth is that any food may contain the requisite allergens which result in hives. It is simply a matter of how your body would react to the particular allergen, once consumed or brought in contact. While one person breaks in to an itchy or watery eyes or a runny nose, another person breaks in to hives.

Hives are pretty common, in the sense that nearly 25% of people have got it at least once in their lives.
When the body comes in contact with an allergen which triggers hives, the body cells naturally and instantly start to react by releasing a chemical substance called histamine. This fluid then leaks from the blood vessels just under the skin. The accumulation of such fluid under the skin then forms blotches or mounds, which are known as hives.

While insect bites, foods and some other allergens are the most common causes of hives to appear, there are other causes too, which include:

Exposure to cold (like diving into a cold pool).
Exercise.
Over exposure to sun.
Stress.
Viral infections.

Whatever may be the cause for the hives to appear, they may last a few minutes to a few days!

Though hives tend to disappear after a few hours or even a few days, anti histamines are usually administered to control the burning sensation and itchiness of hives. Sometimes, some people need a stronger dose of medication for relief from hives.

Though rare, hives may be a precursor to a more serious allergy reaction which impedes normal breathing and other body functions. After the hives have appeared, if you notice someone breaking into any such symptoms like wheezing, choking, swollen throat or a tight chest, seek medical help immediately. It takes minutes for the situation to worsen and turn for the worst. It can choke breathing completely and the person may collapse. There are some who are well-prepared for such situations and carry a shot of Epi-pen (a one shot dose of epinephrine) for immediate relief. Though this shot provides immediate and temporary relief, they must visit a doctor immediately to monitor their condition.

Though seemingly simple, hives can turn dangerous if coupled with other severe forms of allergy reaction. In most cases however, they are simple and easy to control and can disappear with some medical attention.

Fortunately the modern allergy patient need not spend a fortune to control allergy symptoms or reactions. There are plenty of tried and tested natural home remedies which are inexpensive yet effective.

Did you know that nearly 40 million people suffer from seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever out of which 10 million suffer from pollen-originated allergies? It is no wonder then that people are now seeking ‘natural’ alternative therapies for relief from such seasonal allergies. If not complete cure, people are looking for ways to alleviate their distressing symptoms.

The most common symptoms of any seasonal allergy, which occurs primarily during early spring and fall, are chronic cough, runny nose, fatigue, sore or scratchy throat, weepy watery eyes and even body aches and muscle pain. These are caused by pollen disseminated from trees, shrubs, flowers and ragweed. Though easily available the common over the counter medications result in numerous side effects if consumed over a prolonged period of time. This makes the medication problematic for patients who have to take them on a daily basis for relief from symptoms.

The good news is that people who are dependent on daily medication for controlling their seasonal allergies no longer have to depend on allopathic medicines. There are a lot of effective homeopathic medicines available, which have earned the trust of many over centuries. These medicines are ‘natural’ and offer great relief as home remedies. Here are some such natural home remedies which you could try:

Butterbur is a shrub with large leaves and comes from petasites. Though the plant is toxic in nature, it is considered to be effective in controlling allergic symptoms. Consult your homeopathic doctor who could throw more light on the subject.

For relief from sinus pain and congestion, quercetin has been known to be quite effective.
For reducing nasal inflammation, Vitamin C is tried and tested.

Then there are nasal mists like saline sprays which flush out pollens and other allergens from your nasal passage and sinuses. A home-made mixture of saline and salt when squirted inside the nose several times in a day brings about relief from allergies as well as alleviate many allergy symptoms.

You could bid farewell to allergy symptoms by having plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet, especially grape fruit extract, which is easily available at your local food store. Apples, bananas and onions have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and enhance your immune system a great deal.

Beware of some cross reactions though. There are some foods which react with tree pollen and may aggravate allergy symptoms in some people. These include: pears, kiwi, cherries, peaches, nectarines, celery, carrots, parsley, peppers and nuts like hazelnuts, walnuts, and almonds. At the end of the day, remember eating a well-balance and nutritious diet would help you combat any ailment, including allergies.

Fortunately modern allergy patients need not spend a fortune trying to control their allergic reactions. There are plenty of natural home remedies available, which are tried and tested for generations, which can bring quick and lasting relief to any allergy symptom.

When milk allergy is part of life, you ought to know ways to prevent the reactions or symptoms. This article offers more details about allergy towards milk and other dairy products.

Many people are under the false notion that they are intolerant or sensitive to dairy products. The reality is that they are actually sensitive to the sugar contained in milk and other dairy produce. A lactose-intolerant person will experience a series of distressing symptoms within hours of consumption of any dairy product, which include flatulence (gas), diarrhea, skin rash and fatigue.

There are however, a lot of people who develop genuine ‘allergic reactions’ to cow’s milk while their immune system goes berserk trying to fight the foreign allergens. The reactions may get manifested in the form of skin rash or tiredness. In some rare instances, these reactions may turn serious as it tends to choke the patient’s air ways and he finds it nearly impossible to breathe. These situations if left untreated or unattended may prove to be fatal and may even cause death.

The rate in which the allergic or intolerance reaction should show up would largely depend on the speed at which the diary product is digested. The time could be any time within 30 minutes to 2 days after ingestion of a dairy product.

It is possible that you are just intolerant to milk or any dairy product, or severely allergic to any item which is linked to dairy in its origin. Whether you are truly ‘allergic’ to milk or any dairy product or simply intolerant to these items with mild reactions which are far from life threatening, it is always wise to know ways to prevent such incidences, since milk and milk products are part of every one’s daily food pattern.

There are two specific times where these dairy reflex actions show up when least expected. These are when you take soy-based foods and meats. Casein is a dairy derivative which is often added to soy foods, to hike up the protein content. This in turn proves to be a hidden danger for people who are allergic to dairy products. How is meat a trigger? Lactose, a key sugar found in cow’s milk is normally added to processed meat. Hotdogs, Vienna sausages, luncheon meats, chicken sausages and pates are examples of such processed meat which can trigger a dairy allergy to many people.

To find out whether you are allergic to any of the dairy products, you could try out this simple test by eliminating the following foods from your diet for two weeks:

Lactose-containing foods.
Casein containing foods.

All pure dairy products (including cow’s milk, cow’s milk yogurt, cow’s milk cheese, and cow’s milk ice cream).
Processed foods containing milk solids, casein, sodium caseinate, caseinate, or lactose.

After two weeks are over, try and gradually introduce these foods, one at a time in your diet to check whether you react to any item. If you break into any allergic symptom, visit your doctor who will prepare a prevention plan and advise adequate treatment.

For those suffering from seasonal allergies hay fever seems to throw their lives haywire. This article shows you how you can get effective relief from hay fever which is neither difficult nor expensive.

By now the symptoms of hay fever are all too familiar. Winter is over, there is spring in the air and flowers star to show up. There starts your non-stop sneezing. Your nose turns red like Rudolph the Reindeer and feels raw from blowing too often. Your throat is feeling soar and your head pounds. All the muscles in your body feel heavy and they ache. How you wish it was winter again. At least with knee-deep snow outside, whatever happens, your allergies are under control.

Spring may be a season for poets and lovers but they can not help you with your spring allergies. Of course, your pharmacy has all the help you require, but having anti-histamines through out the season can also be painful. Moreover, these pills make you feel tired and moody. Be calm, there is help available. In fact, getting relief from hay fever is now easy and the ailment need not make your life go haywire anymore!

Incredible though it may sound, many doctors are now advising saline rinses to flush out those allergens from your nostrils. It is indeed a safe way to keep the seasonal pests out of reach. The whole idea is to keep your nasal passage well lubricated and ease any inflammation which is blocking your nasal cavity. Saline rinse, inexpensive and effective, is one of the most natural remedies you could possibly think of, for relief from this annoying ailment.

All you have to do is to have saline rinses several times in a day. This will not only flush out the irritating allergens from your sinus but will contract the inflamed blood vessels inside your nose, quite the same way as an ordinary decongestant does. Saline rinses are helpful in reliving many symptoms associated with hay fever and other seasonal allergies without running any risk of medicinal side effects.

And making your own saline rinse at home is very easy. Take a bottle which has a narrow tip; then mix 8 ounces of water, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of baking soda together in the bottle. This also helps in thinning the nasal mucus stuck in the nasal passageway. There are also ready-made and pre-measured saline rinses available in your pharmacy. Then squirt the mixture in your nasal passage several times a day.
Another effective way to keep seasonal allergens out of your nose is to use nasal creams which brings relief to nasal congestion and inflammation. In a recent research study it was found that there was a 60% reduction in allergic symptoms in patients who used a petroleum-based ointment inside the nasal cavity. If that is not possible to procure, dip a cotton swab in a jar of petroleum jelly and dab the ointment inside your nasal passage.

As is evident, controlling the symptoms of hay fever is neither difficult nor expensive. Try these simple tips and relief from those crazy sneezes is on its way.

Allergic reactions can be mild, moderate and severe. This article helps you learn more about these symptoms and how you can prevent them from occurring.

Allergy is something which all of us have experienced at some point of time or the other, especially those seasonal allergic reactions like runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, which occur with common allergens in the air like pollen or ragweed. While these symptoms are irritating, they can be brought under control easily and do not cause any serious harm to your health.

The serious forms of allergic reactions, especially those caused by certain foods, can cause chest congestion and severe difficulty in breathing. In rare situations, these reactions can block the air passage and can even cause death. Because of the seriousness of the problems, it is wise to know more about allergies so that you could treat them at the right time and prevent them from affecting your health.

Essentially, allergic reactions can fall under three categories: mild, moderate and severe.

Mild allergic reactions remain limited to the areas affected and do not spread to various parts of the body. These include:

Rash.
Itchy or watery eyes.
Congestion.

Air borne allergens like pollen, pet dander or dust mites may be responsible for causing such mild reactions. These can be treated easily by over the counter medications or prescription drugs.

Moderate allergic reactions may rapidly spread to various parts of the body and include symptoms like:
Itchiness.

Difficulty in breathing.

These are treated with prescription drugs. Sudden allergic reactions can be brought under manageable control with common antimissiles which provide relief till such times that the patient can be reached to a doctor for emergency help.

The most severe form of allergic reaction, also called anaphylaxis, can be serious and even be fatal. These allergic reactions are brought about by allergens quite suddenly and without any prior intimation. It may begin with a sudden itching of the eyes or face and before minutes, can spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms include:

Swelling of the wind pipe or breathing tubes which make both breathing and swallowing difficult.
Abdominal pain.

Cramps.
Vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Mental confusion or dizziness.

In case you know some one who usually experiences these types of symptoms, the first thing you ought to do is to seek medical help. If you allow the patient to continue to have breathing difficulty with a congested air way, the patient is likely to collapse and die. Even after you have administered Epi-pen (the usual remedy for allergic patients is a dose of one shot of epinephrine to ease breathing), remember to take the patient to a doctor to ensure that the allergic reactions are indeed under control. Some common food allergens like a variety of nuts, seeds, eggs and some dairy products are considered to bring about such drastic reactions to allergy patients. Those who are prone to have food allergies should always remember to stay away from these particular foods to prevent any such life-threatening attacks from recurring.

This article tells you about some of the lesser known facts about pet allergies.

Your throat is having that scratchy feeling; your head is pounding and you are on a sneezing trip. This happens every time you are near a cat or a dog. What is it about these loving creatures that drives you nuts and throws your immune system completely out of gear?

Here are some of the little-known facts about pet allergies:

The truth of the matter is that fur is not the root of the problem; it is the proteins which are secreted by the oil glands and shed with dander which triggers pet allergies. Found mostly in pet saliva, these proteins are transferred on to their skin and hair when they lick themselves. This is the root of all problems.

These allergens are inhaled into the lungs or land on the lining of the eyes or the nose – and that results in allergic reactions.

The severity of reactions from pet allergies depends on the state of your immune system. There are people who suffer mild reactions with only a running nose or sneezing and there are some who have very severe reactions which affect their breathing and can be life-threatening.

Reactions from pet allergies need not become apparent immediately. There are cases where people start showing symptoms even after 12 hours have elapsed. This makes it doubly difficult to get to the root of the problem and find out what caused it.

The truth is that there is no breed of ‘non-allergenic’ dogs or cats. Some types of pets shed less, which could prove to be less allergenic to some people.

The thumb rule is that people who have pet allergies react more with cats than dogs.

It is not necessary that a person who has pet allergies will react only in the presence of a pet. In fact, pet allergens can remain in the environment long after the animal has been removed. This makes the task of finding the cause of allergic reactions very difficult, since there is no pet in the immediate environment.
To remove all pet allergens from the environment, a thorough cleaning of the upholstery, rugs, carpets, curtains, etc is necessary, after the removal of the pet.

If you are a true pet lover and wish to keep a pet in the house, despite your pet allergies, consult an allergy specialist who can show you ways to cope with your allergic reactions with a pet around the house. This will ensure that you enjoy your pet as well as keep your allergy under control. It is definitely possible for both of you to co-exist in the same premises, even if you have dander allergies. All you need to ensure is that you live in a dander-free environment and this can only be possible with regular cleaning of your home, pet zones etc. You must keep a pet-free zone in the house, where you can go, relax and breathe easy, without having to worry about allergy attacks.

It is not without reason that a dog is called a man’s best friend. Yet there are many of us who finds it hard to cope with dog allergies. This article shows you how you can cope with dog allergies if you take some critical steps.

Though dog allergies are fairly common, with 15% of the population suffering under its influence, people have not refrained from keeping pets. If you are also one of those hapless pet owners who are constantly managing a running nose or a chronic sneezing problem, then it is time to learn about how to cope with dog allergies. The first step to know before you learn to cope with dog allergies is to know how to groom your pet. A few of the basic steps to get started include:

Start wearing a mask that filters our dust while you bathe or brush your dog. Even wearing gloves is helpful in reducing the symptoms. Remember to always wash your hands and arms after handling the dog, even if it means just petting.

It is best to comb or brush your dog outside your home. Even if you do these activities indoors, do it on a floor which is either made of hard wood or linoleum-based. This makes it easier to wipe the floor clean, after the job is completed.

If you have spent some time with a pet in someone else’s home, take a shower and change your clothes immediately.

In case you are also prone to allergic reactions from pollens, make it a habit to brush your dog, after it has returned home from a walk outside. This will help in getting rid of any pollen which the dog may have carried home on its coat.

According to the Humane Society of the United States you could get rid of 84% of allergens carried on dog furs, if you bathe the pet once a week. To prevent your dog from any harm from such regular cleaning, you could use a very mild soap.

You could rub the pet between baths with a damp paper towel or better still with special allergy wipes.

You may not be able to stay away from allergies by simply following some dog cleaning procedures. There are several household maintenance tips which can help in its prevention:

Use damp cloths for dusting your home, which must be done regularly.

HEPA micro filters or double bags must be used while using the vacuum cleaner.

After vacuuming, put on the furnace or central air conditioning for at least 2 hours. This will help in sucking up all extra dust particles.

The playing, sleeping and eating areas frequented by the dog must be cleaned at least twice a week.

The dog bed must be washed and cleaned regularly in hot water.

The toys used by the dog also need to be cleaned regularly.

Here are some other tips which can help in reducing symptoms of dog allergies:

To prevent dog dander from spreading, bar dogs from entering your bedrooms.

Keep pets away from beds and furniture.

Heavy curtains and drapes attract and retain allergens. In stead, use light curtains and shades.

Install air filtration system in your home; even the small portable units are helpful to keep allergens away.

Keep on changing the air filters.

Filters must be placed on air ducts.

In stead of carpets use tile, wood, vinyl or any other hard flooring.

To control dander and reduce shedding use doggie sweaters or any other similar clothing for the dog.
It is hard to part with a dog, especially if you are used to having this loving companion in your home. But even after following these tips, as well as those recommended by your physician, the symptoms do not show any sign of reducing, perhaps it is time to take the hard decision and look for an alternative to a dog.

Allergy tests are fairly simple procedures which provide accurate results. This article tells you more about allergy testing.

When does a doctor require an allergy test to be done? It could for several reasons which include:

Your current allergy medicines are not proving to be adequate in providing relief from symptoms.
You have experienced some severe allergic reactions and it requires further probing regarding cause of origin, etc.

Your allergic condition is deteriorating with time.
To know what are the allergens to be avoided

Allergy tests are fairly simple procedures which are normally conducted in the doctors’ chamber and the results become known nearly instantly. There are three types of skin tests and people prefer one of the three to determine which allergens would affect the individual most – as the test is less expensive than a blood test and the results are obtained faster in an easy way.

The Skin Prick test is one of the most common allergy tests available which offer quick and accurate results. The test involves using 15 to 20 needles which are dipped into individual allergen solutions and pressed on to the skin of the body’s back portion. Not taking more than 20 minutes to be completed, this test is considered to be very reliable. One the solution is allowed to seep through the skin, the doctor checks where there is any redness, inflammation, bumps, hives or any other form of reaction. Since there could be more than 100 pricks on the skin during a particular test session, you could expect a mild itchiness on the area, which can be taken care of by a mild anti-histaminic or any other prescription drug of the doctor’s choice.

This test can conveniently inform you what allergens you need to be cautious about: from air borne allergens, foods to any particular ingredient of a drug which you may be prescribed.

In case the Skin Prick test yields negative results while the allergic symptoms continue, doctors often recommend an intra-dermal test which involves injecting a small quantity of allergen serum in to the skin, to check for any reactions. This test is normally done to check only a few allergens.

There is a common allergy type called contact dermatitis. To check whether you are prone to having this type of allergy doctors would do a skin patch test. This test involves placing a patch that has been prepared in an allergen solution on to the skin for 24 to 72 hours.

It is possible that skin tests are not possible on some patients who are on specific kinds of medication, which are likely to interfere with the results of allergy tests, or are suffering from some severe case of eczema which makes it impossible for test results to be clearly visible. For testing allergy for such patients doctors normally recommend a radio-allergo-sorbent (RAST) blood test. While this type of blood test would enable the doctor to measure the immunoglobin E and lgE levels of both allergic and asthmatic patients, it is not as accurate as skin tests mentioned earlier. This is the reason, why this type of tests are reserved for people who are incapable of undergoing skin tests or have proved themselves to be positive for too many foods, and the doctor wants to have more detailed analysis of his condition.

Allergy tests are fairly simple and provide accurate results. These tests allow the patient as well as the doctor to pin-point the specific allergens which cause distress and in turn can provide the doctor the clue for getting the patient on the right track, as far as medication is concerned. The results may also enable a doctor to delete some of his current medications and put the patient on a different course of therapy regimen.

Allergic reactions can be triggered by dust, pollen or even foods. To cope with allergies better, you need to understand what it is and what causes it. This article helps you understand allergies better.

While most of us know what allergic reactions like itchy eyes, running nose or feeling down and moody feel like, but we may not know what allergies are. Allergies are nothing but a way our immune system reacts to some plants, animals and foods. There are occasions when our immune system interprets an allergen, as a disease or virus which may harm the body. To counteract the invasion, the system also launches an attack – which in turn manifests itself as various types of reactions. It is our body’s way of showing that it cares for us and wants to protect us from any external harm.

While sneezing and wheezing are two of the most common allergic reactions we come across, these are caused by some very common allergens, which include:

Dust mites (these are miniscule insects which thrive in dust)

Protein found in the dander (dry skin), saliva (spit), urine (pee), or other things from some animals.

Grass, flower, and tree pollen (the fine dusty substance which you see in plants).

Mold and mildew (small living things that grow in damp places).

Foods, such as milk, wheat, soy, eggs, nuts, seafood, and legumes which include peas, beans, and peanuts.

Latex (elastic material which some gloves are made of, which doctors and nurses wear at clinics)
Many of these allergens are behind itchy eyes, running nose or a sore throat. Food allergens can cause more serious reactions like hives, vomiting or even breathing problems.

While some people suffer from allergies through out the year, some get affected during spring and fall season, when there is a lot of pollen in the air released by plants, flowers and trees.

Some allergies are inherent and cause people to have allergic reactions to the things around them. If there are people in your family who suffer from allergies, chances are that you will suffer from them too.

To know what types of allergies you are prone to, you have to take the help of a doctor who specializes in allergies and asthma. There are many stick and blood tests which tell you exactly what substances your body is prone to be allergic and how severe the reactions are likely to be.

Treatment options for allergy would largely depend on the severity and type of reactions which you experience. For instance, people who are allergic to pollens would be required to take some kind of anti-histaminic therapy weeks before the actual pollen seasons – like spring or fall. For those who suffer from allergies through out the year would be required to take daily anti-allergic medication to keep the reactions under check. People who have food allergies can not be put under medication, except that they have to be extra cautious and avoid the types of foods that they are allergic to, to prevent any allergy attack from specific foods.

Irrespective of the type of allergy that you may be suffering from, there is help at hand. The most important thing for you to do is to find the right doctor who can help you with an allergy management plan so that you do not have to go through the painful reactions ever.

Though there are enough substitutes available to today, which are safe for people with food allergies, living with food allergies can be really inconvenient. Since there is no cure for allergic reactions, the only way is to prevent allergic reactions by taking some preventive steps.

These days, people who suffer from food allergies need not worry so much when it comes to eating. With the rise in the incidences of food allergies all over the world, there are various types of food substitutes available today, which are especially meant for people who can not tolerate certain types of food.

Though living with food allergies has been made less problematic, some situations can still be extremely dangerous, depending on the severity of the allergic symptoms. There are many for whom any contact with a possible food allergen, like pea nuts or even pea nut may make them fall sick, even die. What are the most common foods which may cause allergy? These include some very simple foods like:

All varieties of nuts.
Seafood, such as shrimp.
Milk, particularly cow’s milk.
Eggs.
Soy.
Wheat.

What is it in these foods, which bring about allergic reactions for some people only, leaving the rest of us comfortable? At the outset it is important to remember that food allergies happen to people who have a dysfunctional immune system. Usually, it is our immune system which protects us from being attacked by virus or infection, by producing antibodies which fight with these bacteria. People who are allergic to some foods, have an immune system which treats all these allergen foods like a disease attack and tries to fight it, which makes the bodies react in a negative manner. Some of the common allergic reactions are itchy eyes and running nose during spring, when the air contains a lot of pollen. There are more severe forms of allergic reactions also, which are caused by intake of some types of food.

When you eat some types of food, against which you might have allergic reactions, the body immediately releases some chemicals, including histamine into the blood stream. This is the body’s natural reaction to fight the allergens. This in turn can cause your skin, respiratory or digestive system to react in different ways, like a running rose or an upset stomach. The reactions can also get very serious, when you have problems in breathing and your throat chokes. There are other signs of an allergic reaction also, and these include:

Tightness in the throat.
Hoarse voice.
Wheezing.
Tingling sensation of your tongue or lips.
Cough.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Stomach pain.
Diarrhea.

When the allergic reaction gets really serious, it can even cause anaphylaxis (say: ah-nuh-fuh-lak-sis), which is nothing but a sudden drop in blood pressure accompanied by a swollen tongue and constrictions on the breathing mechanisms. People who are prone to such serious allergic reactions need to be extra cautious with their food habits and should always remain prepared for any emergency situation.

There are many children who have food allergies when they are young but they gradually outgrow these allergies, especially to milk and eggs as they grow up. However allergies to certain types of foods like peanuts, some types of fish and shrimps may be life long.

It is unfortunate that there is no permanent cure for food allergies. The only way left is to prevent it from attacking you. To do this, you have to avoid the foods which bring about such reactions, which can prove to be life-threatening too.

One of the ways you could avoid these foods is to read the labels carefully. The common food allergens are usually printed in bold on the labeling information. Look for them in the list of ingredients.

Sometimes it so happens that despite being careful, you might land up eating the wrong type of food. In such cases, try and remain calm and follow the emergency rescue plan, which should be prepared beforehand, in consultation with your doctor. This is particularly important if your food allergy is liable to cause anaphylaxis.

It is a good idea, to keep a shot of epinephrine, also called Epi-Pen, with you at all times, just in case anything untoward should happen. Needless to mention, even after self-injection, a visit to the hospital is necessary to ensure that your reactions are under control.

Being allergic to foods can be both inconvenient as well as annoying. You can however take these preventive steps to avoid falling under its attack:

All food labels must be read carefully.

In case some foods contain ingredients you are not too sure of it is best to avoid the intake of such foods.
Carry a shot of Epi-Pen or any kind of anti-histamine with you all the time.

You must seek medical assistance, as soon as you see the early signs of any allergic reaction coming up.