Recently, as you may have read, Covenant Allergy And Asthma Care in Chattanooga has released the news that they are encountering a new type of food allergy. To summarize, those individuals who are bitten by a particular tick known as the lone star tick, and then subsequently ingest any meat which comes from a mammal, suffer an increase in levels of histamine which causes swelling, itching, and anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe type of allergy which can cause your airway to swell up and lead to potential death if left untreated.

Because these recent cases have been reported in our “backyard” so to speak, I want everyone to know what to do if your friend or your family member experience symptoms of anaphylaxis.

The first thing you should do if your friend or family member is experiencing itching and difficulty breathing, and thus suspects an allergic reaction, is to call 911. If the person has had this happen in the past, ask them if they have an epinephrine pen, and if you need to help them use it. If possible, lay the person on their back, unless they are vomiting, then you would want to place them on their side, and hopefully emergency personnel would be there to take over.

After being treated for anaphylaxis, it’s recommended that you have allergy testing done to see exactly what you are allergic to, and plan your daily activities accordingly. If your doctor doesn’t suggest it, be sure to ask for an injectable epinephrine pen such as EpiPen or Twinject.

Justin Glaze is an LPN and contributing columnist for the Walker County Messenger. He can be reached at 678-988-1011 or jglazelpn@yahoo.com.