Allergy Help

I have the weirdest allergy of all. I am allergic to garlic. I recently ate a chicken burger that had garlic powder, dehydrated garlic and roasted garlic in it. The funny thing is, I couldn't taste the garlic in it. My daughter, JLHanna, has just gone through an allergy to either a virus that she had or an allergic reaction to a medication that she was on.

1. What is the best way to treat allergic reaction to foods or medication?

Me - Try to avoid eating foods that contain the item you are allergic to or try not to take medication that you are allergic to. For food allergies, it can be a little more difficult to avoid, depending on what you are allergic
to. For garlic, almost everything frozen contains garlic of some kind. Almost all canned food and processed food also contains garlic. I have to learn to read every label of all foods that I buy. For a medication allergy, that maybe a little easier to avoid because doctors and pharmacies do keep a record of all pills you are allergic to.

JLHanna - the best way to treat my allergic reaction is to go to a hospital and get on an iv because over the counter medicines don't work for me. Another way to treat my allergic reaction is to find out which one I am allergic so I can avoid the medication if that I what I am allergic to. If I am allergic to the flu virus I need to be very careful when I get sick and be prepared to make a trip to the hospital. I am back on the questioned medicine to find out if I am allergic to it and the best way to treat this allergic reaction is to avoid that prescription and make all doctors/pharmacists aware of the allergy.

2. Would you try natural cures for allergies?

Me - I think for my garlic allergy, the best cure for me is to just avoid garlic altogether. This means being proactive and reading labels, every single label of frozen, canned or processed food. When I go to a restaurant, I will have to ask the waitress or cook if there is garlic in the dish I want
to have.

JLHanna - As far as I know there are no natural cures for allergies. Just being aware of your allergy is the best solution.

3. Do you think there is allergy help for your allergy?

Me - My garlic allergy is pretty rare. Not too many people are allergic to garlic so I don't feel that there would be much in the way of allergy help for me.

JLHanna - regarding allergy help and these allergies there is not much I can do except what I mentioned above.

4. How to stop allergies from destroying your life?

Me - Again, for me, it is a matter of being proactive. Reading labels is something I have to get used to.

JLHanna - regarding how to stop allergies to medications I just need to ensure all doctors/pharmacists I deal with know of this allergy. Regarding how to stop allergies to the flu there is no way I just need to be aware and pay attention to my body when I am sick in case a trip to the hospital becomes necessary.

5. Do you think your allergy is life threatening?

Me - Up until recently, I never realized how severe a garlic allergy could be. I had a hard time breathing, I had chest pain and my eyes started rolling in the back of my head. The next morning I woke up and the whole left side of my face was swollen. I really think that if I were to eat a whole clove of garlic, it would kill me.

JLHanna - my allergic reaction was definitely life threatening. Over the course of a week I was rushed to the hospital 5 times and admitted overnight once. I had to be put on tranquilizers, steroids and a number of anti-histamine s to get it under control. While being on all these medications my face, hands, and feet swelled up for four days. It was a concern my airways would be next. This allergic reaction was definitely life threatening.