Q&A for How to Deal With Allergic Reactions

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Are there any dangerous allergic reactions?

Katie Marks-Cogan, MD
Board Certified Pediatric & Adult Allergist
Dr. Katie Marks-Cogan is a board certified Pediatric & Adult Allergist at Clear Allergy based in Los Angeles, California. She is the Chief Allergist for Ready, Set, Food!, an infant dietary supplement designed to reduce the risk of childhood food allergies. She received her M.D. with honors from the University of Maryland. She then completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University and fellowship in Allergy/Immunology at the University of Pennsylvania and CHOP.

Katie Marks-Cogan, MD

Board Certified Pediatric & Adult Allergist

Expert Answer

Absolutely. Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can cause shortness of breath and trouble breathing. This particular response requires epinephrine. Other severe symptoms include swelling of the skin, vomiting, diarrhea, and hives that cover the entire body. Get immediate medical attention if you experience a severe reaction.

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Question

How can a doctor tell if you have allergies?

Katie Marks-Cogan, MD
Board Certified Pediatric & Adult Allergist
Dr. Katie Marks-Cogan is a board certified Pediatric & Adult Allergist at Clear Allergy based in Los Angeles, California. She is the Chief Allergist for Ready, Set, Food!, an infant dietary supplement designed to reduce the risk of childhood food allergies. She received her M.D. with honors from the University of Maryland. She then completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University and fellowship in Allergy/Immunology at the University of Pennsylvania and CHOP.

Katie Marks-Cogan, MD

Board Certified Pediatric & Adult Allergist

Expert Answer

There are diagnostic tests for allergies, but you have to see a specialist to get them. Your regular doctor can refer you to an allergist.

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Question

What is an EpiPen used for?

Katie Marks-Cogan, MD
Board Certified Pediatric & Adult Allergist
Dr. Katie Marks-Cogan is a board certified Pediatric & Adult Allergist at Clear Allergy based in Los Angeles, California. She is the Chief Allergist for Ready, Set, Food!, an infant dietary supplement designed to reduce the risk of childhood food allergies. She received her M.D. with honors from the University of Maryland. She then completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University and fellowship in Allergy/Immunology at the University of Pennsylvania and CHOP.

Katie Marks-Cogan, MD

Board Certified Pediatric & Adult Allergist

Expert Answer

You use an EpiPen to administer epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis. Your doctor can prescribe an EpiPen if you need one.

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My reaction lasts for five to 10 minutes. If it lasts longer, then I take Cetzine and it gets better briefly. What else can I do?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

Sound like you are doing good. At least the cetrizine controls the symptoms. You may want to write a journal that so that you can find out what is causing your allergy so you can avoid it. An allergist can help out.

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Question

What can you do for an allergic reaction caused by herbs?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

I would talk to an allergist. I am not sure of the antigen that would cause the allergy. If you are having allergic reaction, then you may need to eliminate herbs from your diet.

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My son and I both woke up with welts this morning. Could we both have the same allergies?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

Yes, you could both have the same allergy and have been exposed to the same antigen that caused the allergy.

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