Allergy

An allergy is an immune response to a specific ingredient or product. Check the full ingredient list of the current product, as well as any ingredients that have caused problems in the past.

If you experience swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or a feeling of fainting along with hives, seek emergency medical care immediately.

What is the difference between an allergy and a general adverse reaction?

Not every change, such as stomach discomfort or a change in taste after intake, is an allergy. In the case of an allergy, changes suggesting an immune response, such as hives, itching, swelling, or wheezing, may appear, but the specific ingredient is not determined by symptoms alone. The full ingredients of the product, the time of intake, and exposure to other foods or medications are checked together.

What should I record and bring with me?

Prepare the product name, photos of the ingredient list, the amount and time taken, the time symptoms started, photos of the skin, and any treatments received. Also, inform the provider about any medications, foods, or bee venom that caused allergies in the past, as well as any emergency medications you usually carry. Avoid self-testing by removing only one ingredient and trying it again when the cause is not clear.

Which changes require prompt medical evaluation?

Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, repeated vomiting, severe dizziness, or a feeling of fainting may require you to stop intake and seek immediate emergency help. MedlinePlus explains that drug allergies can range from mild skin reactions to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

• MedlinePlus: Drug Reactions, Interactions, and Allergies