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Southwest Allergy & Asthma Center
Locations:
Plano
6100 Windcom Court,
Suite 101
Plano, Texas 75093
Serving: Plano, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Carrollton, Richardson, Lewisville, Garland, Dallas, The Colony, Addison, Coppell, Little Elm, Celina, Prosper, Sachse, Murphy, Wylie, Rockwall, Lucas and Rowlett
(972) 398 - 3500Telephone:
(972) 398 - 3512FAX:
Denison
In the Texoma Medical Plaza adjacent to the new Texoma Medical Center
5012 South US HWY 75,
Suite 150
Denison, Texas 75020
Serving: Denison, Sherman, Bonham, Gainesville, Pottsboro, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Prosper, Durant (OK) and Madill (OK)
(903) 463 - 8400Telephone:
(903) 463 - 8500FAX:
McKinney
7785 Eldorado Pkwy,
Suite 500
McKinney, Texas 75070
Serving: McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Celina, Prosper, Sachse, Murphy, Wylie, Rockwall, Lucas and Rowlett
(972) 542 - 0500Telephone:
(972) 398 - 3512FAX:
Allen
In Twin Creeks Medical Center Two
1101 Raintree Cir,
Suite 140
Allen, Texas 75013
Serving: McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Celina, Prosper, Sachse, Murphy, Wylie, Rockwall, Lucas and Rowlett
(469) 656 - 1057Telephone:
(972) 398 - 3512FAX:
Frisco
12950 Dallas Pkwy,
Suite 700
Frisco, Texas 75033
Serving: McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Celina, Prosper, Sachse, Murphy, Wylie, Rockwall, Lucas and Rowlett
(972) 569 - 8500Telephone:
(972) 398 - 3512FAX:
 | Going Green to help you breathe easier! |
Food Allergy and Urticaria (Hives)
What are Hives?
Hives are raised, red, itchy areas on the skin (also called wheals or welts) that can result from an allergic reaction. Food allergy is a common cause of hives. Other signs or symptoms seen from food allergy include nasal symptoms, worsening eczema symptoms, swelling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, throat swelling and difficulty breathing.
What are some common foods that can cause hives?
The most common foods that can cause hives if you are allergic include milk, egg, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, peanut, and tree nuts.
Can other ingredients in food cause hives?
There are certain foods that can cause flushing, itching, and hives even though one may not be truly allergic to the food itself. Some examples of these foods include sauerkraut, pineapple, yeast, red wine, mature cheeses, pickled herring and contaminated tuna. Furthermore, there are foods that can cause the direct release of histamine which include strawberries, tomatoes, and alcohol. There are also additives that initiate the release of histamine that are present in fizzy drinks (ex. benzoic acid and sodium benzoate), chewing gum (ex. abietic acid and sorbic acid), and in baked products (ex. cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde).
Certain fish (tuna, mackerel, bonito, skipjack, and others) contain naturally high levels of histidine. If not properly refrigerated, histadine can be converted into a chemical called histamine that can cause hives and even throat swelling or difficulty breathing.
How do I treat this?
Some foods may take days to leave the body, so your allergist may prescribe antihistamines to relieve your symptoms until that happens. If the hives are severe or they are not responding to the above treatment, your allergist may prescribe an oral steroid such as prednisone.
Some allergic reactions are emergencies and they require immediate attention. If your hives appear suddenly and spread quickly you may need a shot of an antihistamine such as Benadryl. If you think your throat is swelling or are having trouble breathing you might receive a shot of Epinephrine to counteract the reaction. In some patients with food allergy, your allergist will prescribe an Epi Pen to be used in case of emergencies along with an action plan to instruct you what to do in case of an accidental exposure to the food.
Will my hives come back?
Risk of recurrence with hives and food allergy is high even after initial treatment. The best way to prevent recurrence of symptoms is to avoid the food that caused the hives.