If allergy tests show you have a food allergy, a doctor will
tell you how to avoid an allergic reaction. Here are some
general tips on living with food allergies. The only real way to
prevent a reaction is to completely avoid foods you're allergic
to. Food allergies aren't like environmental allergies. There's
no medicine you can take to prevent a reaction before it
happens. Avoiding a food you're allergic to means more than not
eating that food. It also means not eating anything that might
contain the food. Some people even have to avoid touching or
breathing in foods they're allergic to. Sometimes things that
aren't food — like cosmetics — may still contain ingredients
you're allergic to. Here are three ways to avoid coming into
contact with foods you may be allergic to: 1. Read Food Labels
In the United States, food manufacturers must say on their
labels if foods contain any of these most common allergens: tree
nuts (such as walnuts and cashews) Food allergy information will
be on the label in one of two w