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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffPreventing allergic reactions depends on the type of allergy you have. General measures include the following:
- Avoid known triggers. Even if you get treatment for your allergy symptoms, you still need to try and avoid your triggers. Common triggers include airborne allergens outdoors, at home or at work, and certain foods, insects or medications. Some allergic reactions are triggered or worsened by temperature extremes or emotional stress.
- Keep a diary. When trying to identify exactly what causes or worsens your allergic symptoms, try to track all of your activities, note when symptoms occur, and write down what seems to help. This may help you and your doctor identify triggers and the best steps to prevent and treat them.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet if you've ever had a severe allergic reaction. A medical alert bracelet (or necklace) lets others know that you have a serious allergy in case you have a reaction and you're unable to communicate.
References
- Frequently asked questions. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.acaai.org/patients/faq/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Tips to remember: What is an allergic reaction? American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergicreaction.stm. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Wayt TM. Anaphylaxis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1079270789&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00010-X--sc0170&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00010-X--sc0170&uniqId=225503130-3. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Atkins D, et al. Diagnosis of allergic disease. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/224902915-6/0/1608/434.html?tocnode=54478103&fromURL=434.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50142-0_3366. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Tips to remember: Allergy shots. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatareallergyshots.stm. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Tips to remember: Asthma and allergy medications. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/asthmaallergymedications.stm. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Allergy. Mitchell G, et al. In: Rakel RE. Rakel: Textbook of Family Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/225194068-12/1078164908/1481/288.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50028-2--cesec19_1317. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Engler RJ, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine for the allergist-immunologist: Where do I start? The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:309.
- DeShazo RD, et al. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Li JT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 16, 2010.
- Naegleria FAQs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/faqs.html. Accessed Dec. 30, 2011.
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