Food allergies affect millions of people and cause a wide range of symptoms — from mild rashes to more serious reactions that need immediate care. And it’s not always clear how serious they are or where to go for help.

At Oxford Urgent Care, we help patients every day with allergic reactions, including food-related ones. Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., we’re here to assess your symptoms quickly and help you breathe easier, sooner.

Here’s what to know about food allergies and when urgent care is the right place to turn.

What is a food allergy?

A food allergy occurs when your immune system overreacts to something you’ve eaten. For most people, food is harmless. But for someone with an allergy, the body treats it like a threat — triggering symptoms that range from mild to dangerous.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes nine major food allergens:

Milk
Eggs
Peanuts
Tree nuts
Soy
Wheat
Fish
Shellfish
Sesame

Symptoms can vary widely. Knowing what to watch for helps you respond before things get worse.

Recognizing the symptoms: Mild vs. severe

Not all allergic reactions look the same. Some remain on the surface, while others affect deeper systems like breathing or circulation. Here’s what to look for.

Mild to moderate food allergy symptoms

Common reactions include:

Itching or tingling in the mouth or throat
Rash or hives on the skin
Mild swelling of the lips, face or tongue
Nausea, stomach cramps or vomiting
Discomfort, but normal breathing and swallowing

These symptoms aren’t immediately life-threatening, but allergy symptoms can escalate; you should never ignore them.

More severe symptoms (anaphylaxis)

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can affect multiple systems at once, and according to the Mayo Clinic, it only takes minutes to become life-threatening. The signs include:

Trouble breathing or swallowing
Tightness in the throat
Wheezing, shortness of breath or chest tightness
Fast heart rate, dizziness or confusion
Drop in blood pressure or fainting

If you or someone nearby is showing these signs, call 911 immediately. Anaphylaxis requires emergency medical care and an epinephrine injection.

When to visit urgent care for a food allergy

Urgent care is the right choice when symptoms are mild to moderate and don’t affect your ability to breathe or swallow.

Consider coming to Oxford Urgent Care if you experience:

A first-time reaction and aren’t sure how serious it is
Hives or a rash that’s spreading, but breathing is normal
Persistent vomiting or cramping after eating
Mild swelling that isn’t closing your throat
Need for antihistamines or symptom monitoring

Don’t try assessing the severity of your symptoms on your own. We’re here to help assess and treat the reaction, so you can get clarity and relief.

How urgent care can treat your reaction

When you visit Oxford Urgent Care, our providers can:

Take a detailed history of what you ate and when symptoms began
Administer antihistamines to ease symptoms like itching or hives
Provide medication to reduce inflammation and prevent escalation
Monitor you for worsening symptoms
Prescribe rescue medication, such as an EpiPen, if you’re at risk for future reactions

We’ll help calm the reaction and send you home with a clearer plan and the tools you need.

What to do after an allergic reaction

Once the initial symptoms pass, it’s important to stay alert and take steps to prevent future reactions:

Always read ingredient labels carefully
Keep a food diary to identify possible triggers
Carry an epinephrine injector if your provider recommends it
Schedule follow-up testing with a specialist to confirm allergens
Let restaurants know about your allergy before eating there

If this was your first reaction, we can help you understand what might have caused it and connect you with the right next steps. If it’s happened before, we’ll work with you to prevent the next one.

When it’s time to get checked out

Allergic reactions don’t always follow the same pattern. Even a mild case today can turn serious next time, and allergy symptoms can evolve within minutes — don’t wait them out.

Food reactions aren’t always predictable, but your care can be. Come to Oxford Urgent Care for clarity and peace of mind. We’re open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and we’re able to see most patients soon after arrival.

Come see us today. No appointment required.