What are the treatment options for food allergy?

A food allergy is an immune reaction to a particular food. Reactions can include hives, swelling, vomiting, wheezing, throat tightness, or dizziness, and the pattern may differ between people. A clinician reviews what was eaten, how quickly symptoms appeared, and what happened next. [Allergy Testing](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/allergy-testing/) may support the assessment, but test results need to be interpreted alongside your history.

Avoid a confirmed trigger and read ingredient labels every time, since recipes and manufacturing processes can change. Ask restaurants about ingredients and cross-contact, and make sure family, school, or workplace contacts know the plan. A clinician may prescribe an adrenaline auto-injector for people at risk of severe reactions; learn when and how to use it and keep it accessible. Antihistamines may help some mild symptoms, but they do not replace emergency treatment for breathing or circulation problems. Do not remove major food groups without professional guidance, especially for a child or during pregnancy.

Use the emergency plan immediately for trouble breathing, throat or tongue swelling, a hoarse voice, collapse, severe dizziness, or symptoms involving more than one body system. Call emergency services after using prescribed adrenaline and follow their instructions. Do not wait to see whether symptoms settle. [Anaphylaxis Emergency Treatment](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/anaphylaxis-emergency-treatment/) explains the emergency response.

Ask which food is suspected, whether testing is appropriate, how to distinguish mild symptoms from anaphylaxis, and whether you need an adrenaline device. Ask how to manage school, travel, restaurant meals, label reading, and accidental exposure.