1. Get an Adrenaline Shot
If the allergic reaction is serious, call a doctor and get to the emergency room. The medical team can treat you with a shot of epinephrine (adrenaline). It will reduce the swelling and stabilize your vital functions. If you have a severe chicken allergy, ask your doctor to prescribe epinephrine for you. It comes with a portable injector that you can take with you and administer yourself if you have an allergic reaction. Make sure that family and co-workers know how to administer the shot in case you're unable to do so.
2. Take Antihistamines
Over-the-counter antihistamines can treat common symptoms of a chicken allergy, which include hives, swelling and any pains or queasiness in your stomach. A doctor can prescribe stronger amounts and may give you a steroid injection in the case of a serious reaction. But nonprescription antihistamines are easy to purchase and can be carried anywhere. They make a good, quick remedy during the first onset of an allergic reaction to chicken.
3. Apply Topical Creams
Topical creams rarely treat the root of the allergic reaction, but they can treat symptoms such as itchy skin and swelling. Look for anti-itch creams or topical antihistamines--they tend to work best with allergies. Make sure you speak to your doctor about any additional symptoms that you may be experiencing.
4. Consider Asthma Medication
One of the most dangerous things about food allergies is the way they can restrict breathing. The airways close, the throat swells up and you're suddenly struggling to take in oxygen. Bronchodilators, or asthma medication, can be taken through an inhaler to relieve those symptoms immediately. It can be life-saving if your air passages are closed, and you can easily carry the medication in a purse or a pocket. Bronchodilators are available in any drugstore, though you should get a prescription from a doctor first.
5. Avoid Chicken
Since there's no real cure for food allergies, the best option is to avoid the food altogether. Ask your doctor to find the specific allergen that sets you off, and check food labels very carefully to see whether it's in the ingredients. You may want to see if you have an egg allergy as well. Since eggs come from chickens, the two may share a common allergen.
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