When you’re having an allergic reaction from pollen or feeling flushed after accidentally eating a food you’re allergic to, the last thing you may think to grab is your phone. But it should be the first! There are many smartphone apps that aim to help people with allergies find better treatments and avoid possible allergen exposure.
Here’s a list of 5 apps to help allergy sufferers:
Allergy Alert
If you suffer from allergies, receiving accurate, timely information can help provide consistent management of your allergen exposure. Pollen.com‘s Allergy Alert app provides you with 5-day environmental allergy and weather forecasts, and the ability to track your symptoms with an allergy diary. It’s important to note that symptoms become more severe during days with moderate and high pollen levels. During these times, you might consider more aggressive avoidance measures by wearing a mask when you go outside, specifically in the mornings or during windy days when pollen counts are at their highest.
Med Helper
When it comes to allergies, you might be so focused on your symptoms that you neglect to administer your allergy treatment. Med Helper is an app that helps you keep track of all of the medications you take. It’ll even alert you when it’s time to administer your allergy treatment so there won’t be any lapses in symptom prevention. If you utilize Immunotherapy, allergy shots, or Sublingual Immunotherapy as a part of your allergy management, it is important to keep those administered times consistent.
SafeEats: Allergen Alert
A hint of some allergens in your food is sometimes enough to send you to the hospital. You can prevent any slips from items in your grocery shopping with the SafeEats app. This app lets you scan barcodes or UPC numbers to pull up ingredient lists, as well as allergen warnings.
First Aid by American Red Cross
Severe allergic reactions, such as Anaphylaxis, can require immediate medical attention. Anaphylaxis occurs when the allergic swelling is so bad that your throat closes. The American Red Cross app can be used to get the treatment you need in case of an allergy emergency. Tell the app what you’re experiencing, and it will direct you to a nearby hospital. It even lets you call the hospital from the app, and it can walk you through the step-by-step care process.
ICE Standard
ICE or “in case of emergency” cards contain vital medical and contact details that could be important to first responders and emergency personnel, especially existing medical conditions like environmental, food, or medicine allergies. The app puts your ICE information on your phone’s lockscreen, meaning a first responder can check your medical information even without unlocking your phone.
These apps provide ways to manage your symptoms, find relief, and even find emergency treatment, if necessary. While these apps are great tools for those who suffer from allergies, allergy management always begins with an allergy test in order to determine the proper treatment. Treat your allergies, make an appointment with the Dr. Pasha today!
