A Detailed Guide on Allergies


Allergies arise from an immune system reaction to a foreign material such as pollen, pet dander, or a meal that normally doesn't bother most individuals. You can get allergy treatment easily from your healthcare professional. 

The immune system produces chemicals known as antibodies. When you have allergies, your body produces antibodies that mistakenly perceive an allergen as dangerous when, in fact, it isn't. The immune system's reaction to the allergen may cause inflammation of your skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive tract.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is the body's immune system's reaction to an allergen—a foreign substance that is usually not damaging to the body. These may consist of specific foods, pollen, or pet dander. 

Your immune system's role is to protect you from harmful bacteria and maintain your health. It achieves this by attacking anything it believes poses a threat to your well-being. This allergic reaction might include a variety of symptoms, like inflammation and sneezing, depending on the allergen.

Normally, your immune system adapts to its surroundings. Your body should recognize, for instance, that pet dander is harmless when it comes in contact with it. When someone has dander allergies, their immune system attacks the allergen because it thinks it's an outside threat to their body.

Allergies can range in severity from a little irritant to a potentially fatal emergency called anaphylaxis, depending on the individual. Although there is no known cure for most allergies, there are treatments that can lessen their symptoms 

Allergy Symptoms

Many factors contribute to the allergy symptoms that you experience. These consist of the kind of allergy you have and its intensity. Some of these symptoms may still occur if you take any medicine before an expected allergic reaction, but they may be less severe.

Food Allergies

A person with a food allergy might not know it right away. Consult a physician promptly if you get a severe reaction after eating and are unsure of the cause. They can identify the exact reason for the reaction or recommend that you see an expert. The most common food allergies are caused by - milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.

Food allergies can cause symptoms like:

  • Nausea

  • Hives

  • Fatigue

  • Swelling

  • Itching

  • Tingling in the mouth

  • Anaphylaxis

Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies are also known as allergic rhinitis, where you get allergic to pollen, dust, or something else that irritates your nose and causes cold-like symptoms. 

Seasonal allergy symptoms include:

  • Congestion

  • Sneezing

  • Itchy eyes, nose and throat

  • Runny nose and eyes

  • Post nasal drip (drainage in the throat)

  • Fatigue

  • Coughing

Severe Allergies/Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe form of allergy and could cause life-threatening emergencies like breathing issues, unconsciousness, and lightheadedness. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should immediately contact your healthcare professional and seek medical attention.

 The symptoms include:

  • Low blood pressure

  • Breathing problem 

  • Skin rashes

  • Lightheadedness

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Nausea and vomiting

Causes of Allergies

There isn’t scientific evidence for why the immune system causes allergic reactions when a harmless foreign substance enters the body. Genetics plays a role in allergies, although the suspicion is on the lower side. 

This implies that parents can pass them on to their children. Certain allergies do not carry over. For example, just because your mother has a shellfish allergy doesn't mean that you will too.

These are some of the common types of allergens:

Foods: Milk, shellfish, wheat, nuts, and egg allergies are common.

Plants: Pollen from grasses, weeds, and trees, as well as resin from plants like poison ivy and poison oak, are common.

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

Drugs: typical antibiotics like penicillin and sulfa.

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

Other allergens: latex, which can be found in latex gloves and condoms, as well as metals such as nickel, are common allergens.

What are skin rashes?

Skin rashes are one of the allergy symptoms caused by direct exposure to the allergen. For example, eating a food to which you are allergic can result in various symptoms. You might feel tingling in your lips and throat. You can also have a rash.

You can also develop contact dermatitis when your skin comes into contact with something you are allergic to, like a plant or a cleaning product.

The following are the types of skin rashes: 

  • Hives: you may notice some red, itchy, and swollen blisters on the skin.

  • Rashes: Skin becomes inflamed, red, or swollen, and may be uncomfortable or irritating.

  • Eczema: Patches of skin become inflamed and can become itchy or bleed.

  • Sore throat: The pharynx or throat is irritated or inflamed.

  • Swollen eyes: Eyes may be wet or irritated, appearing "puffy."

  • Itching: There is swelling or irritation on the skin.

  • Burning: Skin inflammation causes irritation and burning on the skin.

  • Contact dermatitis: red, itchy areas of skin appear almost immediately after contact with an allergen.

Allergy Treatments

The best way to treat your allergies is to stay away from your triggers. If that does not happen, you can consult your healthcare professional, and he may suggest allergy treatment based on the severity of your allergy.

Medication

Antihistamines are common drugs used in allergy treatment to manage symptoms. The medication can be prescribed or available over-the-counter. The degree of your allergies will determine what your doctor advises.

These are the allergy medications:

  • Cetirizine (Zyrtec) 

  • Corticosteroids

  • Antihistamines (Benadryl)

  • Cromolyn sodium (Gastrocrom)

  • Loratadine (Claritin)

  • Leukotriene modifiers (singulair, zyflo) 

Singulair should only be recommended when there is no other suitable course of treatment available. This is because it could increase the chances of severe mood and behavioral changes, and one can also think about suicide. 

Emergency Epinephrine

If you have encountered a severe, life-threatening allergy, carry an emergency epinephrine shot. This shot can fight off the reaction for the time being until medical help arrives. 

Immunotherapy

A lot of people choose immunotherapy. This helps the body adjust to your allergy by administering multiple injections over a few years. Effective immunotherapy can stop the recurrence of allergy symptoms.

Natural remedies for allergies

Numerous supplements and natural cures are advertised as cures for allergies, as well as ways to avoid them. Before attempting them, talk to your doctor about them. Certain natural remedies may worsen your symptoms by allowing new allergens into your body.

Natural remedies for allergic reactions include:

  • Herbs and supplements 

  • Nasal spray

  • Steam

  • Probiotics

  • Dired teas

  • Nasal saline rinse

  • Essential oils, and more

Some of these remedies, like dried teas, and essential oils, can contain ingredients that could worsen your symptoms by adding more allergens. It is best to ask your healthcare professional before using any natural remedy.