Food Allergy Treatment (Cont.)

Controversial and Unproven Food Allergy Treatments

Controversial food allergy treatments include putting a diluted solution of a particular food under your tongue about a half hour before you eat the food suspected of causing an allergic reaction. This is an attempt to "neutralize" the subsequent exposure to the food that you believe is harmful. The results of a carefully conducted clinical study show this procedure does not prevent an allergic reaction.
 
Another unproven food allergy treatment involves getting shots (immunotherapy) containing small quantities of extracts of the allergy-producing food. These shots are given regularly for a long period of time with the aim of "desensitizing" you to the food allergen. Allergy research scientists have not yet proven that allergy shots reliably relieve food allergies.
 

Summary of Key Points About Food Allergy Treatment

Here are some important things to remember about food allergy treatment:
 
  • Beware of foods that trigger your food allergy symptoms
      
  • If you have had severe reactions to a food, talk to your doctor about carrying an epinephrine injector
     
  • Learn to read food labels carefully
     
  • When dining out, ask about the ingredients used in preparing the dish before tasting the food
     
  • If you experience symptoms of a food allergy, avoid any further contact with that food item, rinse your mouth, and see a doctor.
     

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD