Allergies

An allergy is an immune system response to a foreign substance that’s not

typically harmful to your body. These foreign substances are called allergens.
They can include certain foods, pollen, or pet dander.

Your immune system’s job is to keep you healthy by fighting harmful pathogens.
It does this by attacking anything it thinks could put your body in danger.
Depending on the allergen, this response may involve inflammation, sneezing, or
a host of other symptoms.

Your immune system normally adjusts to your environment. For example, when
your body encounters something like pet dander, it should realize it’s harmless. In
people with dander allergies, the immune system perceives it as an outside
invader threatening the body and attacks it.

Allergies are common. Several treatments can help you avoid your symptoms.

Symptoms of allergies

The symptoms you experience because of allergies are the result of several
factors. These include the type of allergy you have and how severe the allergy
is.

If you take any medication before an anticipated allergic response, you may still
experience some of these symptoms, but they may be reduced.

For food allergies

Food allergies can trigger swelling, hives, nausea, fatigue, and more. It may take
a while for a person to realize that they have a food allergy. If you have a
serious reaction after a meal and you’re not sure why, see a medical
professional immediately. They can find the exact cause of your reaction or
refer you to a specialist.

For seasonal allergies

Hay fever symptoms can mimic those of a cold. They include congestion, runny
nose, and swollen eyes. Most of the time, you can manage these symptoms at
home using over-the-counter treatments. See your doctor if your symptoms
become unmanageable.

For severe allergies

Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening emergency that

can lead to breathing difficulties, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness. If
you’re experiencing these symptoms after coming in contact with a possible
allergen, seek medical help immediately.

Everyone’s signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction are different. Read more
about allergy symptoms and what might cause them.

Allergies on skin

Skin allergies may be a sign or symptom of an allergy. They may also be the
direct result of exposure to an allergen.

For example, eating a food you’re allergic to can cause several symptoms. You
may experience tingling in your mouth and throat. You may also develop a rash.

Contact dermatitis, however, is the result of your skin coming into direct contact
with an allergen. This could happen if you touch something you’re allergic to,
such as a cleaning product or plant.

Types of skin allergies include:

  Rashes. Areas of skin are irritated, red, or swollen, and can be painful or
itchy.

 Eczema. Patches of skin become inflamed and can itch and bleed.

 Contact dermatitis. Red, itchy patches of skin develop almost immediately

after contact with an allergen.

 Sore throat. Pharynx or throat is irritated or inflamed.

 Hives. Red, itchy, and raised welts of various sizes and shapes develop on
the surface of the skin.

 Swollen eyes. Eyes may be watery or itchy and look “puffy.”

 Itching. There’s irritation or inflammation in the skin.

 Burning. Skin inflammation leads to discomfort and stinging sensations on

the skin.

Rashes are one of the most common symptoms of a skin allergy. Find out how to
identify rashes and how to treat them.

Causes of allergies

Researchers aren’t exactly sure why the immune system causes an allergic
reaction when a normally harmless foreign substance enters the body.

Allergies have a genetic component. This means parents can pass them down
to their children. However, only a general susceptibility to allergic reaction is
genetic. Specific allergies aren’t passed down. For instance, if your mother is
allergic to shellfish, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be, too.

Common types of allergens include:

 Animal products. These include pet dander, dust mite waste, and
cockroaches.

 Drugs. Penicillin and sulfa drugs are common triggers.

  Foods. Wheat, nuts, milk, shellfish, and egg allergies are common.

 Insect stings. These include bees, wasps, and mosquitoes.

 Mold. Airborne spores from mold can trigger a reaction.

 Plants. Pollens from grass, weeds, and trees, as well as resin from plants
such as poison ivy and poison oak, are very common plant allergens.

 Other allergens. Latex, often found in latex gloves and condoms, and
metals like nickel are also common allergens.

Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, are some of the most common
allergies. These are caused by pollen released by plants. They cause:

 itchy eyes

 watery eyes

 runny nose

 coughing

Food allergies are becoming more common. Find out about the most common
types of food allergies and the symptoms they cause.

Allergy treatments

The best way to avoid allergies is to stay away from whatever triggers the
reaction. If that’s not possible, there are treatment options available.

Medication

Allergy treatment often includes medications like antihistamines to control

symptoms. The medication can be over the counter or prescription. What your
doctor recommends depends on the severity of your allergies.

Allergy medications include:

  antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

 corticosteroids

 cetirizine (Zyrtec)

 loratadine (Claritin)

 cromolyn sodium (Gastrocrom)

 decongestants (Afrin, Suphedrine PE, Sudafed)

 leukotriene modifiers (Singular, Zyflo)

Immunotherapy

Many people opt for immunotherapy. This involves several injections over the
course of a few years to help the body get used to your allergy. Successful
immunotherapy can prevent allergy symptoms from returning.

Emergency epinephrine

If you have a severe, life-threatening allergy, carry an emergency epinephrine

shot. The shot counters allergic reactions until medical help arrives. Common
brands of this treatment include EpiPen and Twinject.

Some allergic responses are a medical emergency. Prepare for these

emergency situations by knowing allergic reaction first aid.

Natural remedies for allergies

Many natural remedies and supplements are marketed as a treatment and

even a way to prevent allergies. Discuss these with your doctor before trying
them. Some natural treatments may actually contain other allergens and make
your symptoms worse.
For example, some dried teas use flowers and plants that are closely related to
plants that might be causing you serious sneezing. The same is true for essential
oils. Some people use these oils to relieve common symptoms of allergies, but
essential oils still contain ingredients that can cause allergies.

Each type of allergy has a host of natural remedies that may help speed up
recovery. There are also natural options for children’s allergies, too.

How allergies are diagnosed

Your doctor can diagnose allergies in several ways.

First, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical exam.
They’ll ask about anything unusual you may have eaten recently and any
substances you may have come in contact with. For example, if you have a
rash on your hands, your doctor may ask if you put on latex gloves recently.

Lastly, a blood test and skin test can confirm or diagnose allergens your doctor
suspects you have.

Allergy blood test

Your doctor may order a blood test. Your blood will be tested for the presence
of allergy-causing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These are cells that
react to allergens. Your doctor will use a blood test to confirm a diagnosis if
they’re worried about the potential for a severe allergic reaction.

Skin test

Your doctor may also refer you to an allergist for testing and treatment. A skin
test is a common type of allergy test carried out by an allergist.
During this test, your skin is pricked or scratched with small needles containing
potential allergens. Your skin’s reaction is documented. If you’re allergic to a
particular substance, your skin will become red and inflamed.

Different tests may be needed to diagnose all your potential allergies. Start here
to get a better understanding of how allergy testing works.

Preventing symptoms

There’s no way to prevent allergies. But there are ways to prevent the symptoms
from occurring. The best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to avoid the
allergens that trigger them.

Avoidance is the most effective way to prevent food allergy symptoms. An

elimination diet can help you determine the cause of your allergies so you know
how to avoid them. To help you avoid food allergens, thoroughly read food
labels and ask questions while dining out.

Preventing seasonal, contact, and other allergies comes down to knowing

where the allergens are located and how to avoid them. If you’re allergic to
dust, for example, you can help reduce symptoms by installing proper air filters in
your home, getting your air ducts professionally cleaned, and dusting your
home regularly.

Proper allergy testing can help you pinpoint your exact triggers, which makes
them easier to avoid. These other tips can also help you avoid dangerous
allergic reactions.

Complications of allergies
While you may think of allergies as those pesky sniffles and sneezes that come
around every new season, some of these allergic reactions can actually be life-
threatening.

Anaphylaxis, for example, is a serious reaction to the exposure of allergens. Most

people associate anaphylaxis with food, but any allergen can cause the telltale
signs:

 suddenly narrowed airways

 increased heart rate

 possible swelling of the tongue and mouth

Allergy symptoms can create many complications. Your doctor can help
determine the cause of your symptoms as well as the difference between a
sensitivity and a full-blown allergy. Your doctor can also teach you how to
manage your allergy symptoms so that you can avoid the worst complications.

Asthma and allergies

Asthma is a common respiratory condition. It makes breathing more difficult and

can narrow the air passageways in your lungs.

Asthma is closely related to allergies. Indeed, allergies can make existing asthma
worse. It can also trigger asthma in a person who’s never had the condition.

When these conditions occur together, it’s a condition called allergy-induced

asthma, or allergic asthma. Allergic asthma affects about 60 percent of people
who have asthma in the United States, estimates the Allergy and Asthma
Foundation of America.