Allergies are well recognized conditions, and those suffering from true food allergy are far more likely to receive adequate medical treatment than those with food intolerance. Even so, well-informed patients can make a significant contribution to their own treatment. This is particularly true if, as so often happens, there is no allergy specialist (allergist) overseeing the treatment. There are still very few allergists, and most allergic symptoms are treated by other specialists. A patient with multiple symptoms may see an ear-nose-and-throat specialist for rhinitis, a chest specialist for asthma, a dermatologist for eczema and a gastroenterologist for bowel disorders due to food. The net result is that there is no one doctor considering the whole allergic picture in that patient.
The patient who understands something about allergies is at less of a disadvantage in such circumstances, and may be able to help the doctor in unravelling the complexities of cause and effect. But it is important to stress that self-help should only be an adjunct to proper medical treatment, never a substitute. Some allergic conditions can be life-threatening, others can deteriorate to the point where they produce irreversible damage to health. No-one should attempt to treat them without medical supervision.
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