Eating is a cultural part of our holiday traditions but, for more and more Americans, a simple holiday gathering could lead to a medical emergency with a bite of the wrong food.

An estimated 15 million people have one or more food allergies in the US. For them, social gatherings with food can be an exercise in anxiety as they navigate the buffet table in search of foods that are safe to eat.

Dr. Kara Wada, an allergy and immunology physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, says while you might not want to bother the host, it’s important to advocate for yourself to ensure your safety.

"It’s unfortunate that there’s been such an uptick in food allergy diagnoses but the good thing is people are talking about it and there’s not as much stigma as there was previously," Wada said.

Here are some tips Wada recommends to safely enjoy social events with a food focus:

1. Educate the host about food allergies

It’s helpful to let your host know well in advance about your food allergy. Make sure they know how to read food labels. The most common food allergens—milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat—should be listed. Ask the host to save the labels of packaged foods.

"The other thing to ask them to keep in mind is cross contamination. If the host is baking cookies, for instance, they should wash the cookie sheet that was used to make peanut butter cookies with hot soapy water before it’s used to bake something that is nut free," Wada said. "Also, suggest using color-coded utensils so guests know which utensils go with each particular dish."

2. Bring a dish or snacks

Offer to bring a dish or two that you know you can eat so there’s at least one or two items on the menu that have been safely prepared. You can eat prior to the event and bring a snack to enjoy so you can still participate in the meal.

3. Be cautious about foods you recognize

In general, it’s easier to eat foods you can recognize such as fresh fruit and vegetables, pasta or meats. But even when it comes to some of these foods, Wada says to read the labels to be on the safe side.

"Some pre-seasoned turkeys may have wheat, soy or milk in the brine or other flavorings. Some people may not realize pesto has nuts in it. There are even some cocktail mixes that are made with egg whites," she said.

4. Bring your epinephrine auto-injector

If you have an epinephrine auto-injector, make sure you bring it with you. Review how and when to use it, just in case you need it.

Symptoms of an anaphylaxis reaction include throwing up, wheezing, heart racing, passing out, swelling and the sensation your throat is closing.

Wada says if you use your epinephrine, you should go to the emergency room because the reaction could last longer than the epinephrine lasts. You need to be monitored for some time afterward and you could potentially need more treatment that they could provide there.