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:
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Rashes. Areas of skin are irritated, red, or swollen, and can be painful or
itchy.
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Eczema. Patches of skin become inflamed and can itch and bleed.
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Contact dermatitis. Red, itchy patches of skin develop almost immediately after
contact with an allergen.
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Sore throat. Pharynx or throat is irritated or inflamed.
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Hives. Red, itchy, and raised welts of various sizes and shapes
develop on the surface of the skin.
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Swollen eyes. Eyes may be watery or itchy and look “puffy.”
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Itching. There’s irritation or inflammation in the skin.
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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:
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Animal products. These include pet dander, dust mite waste, and cockroaches.
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Drugs. Penicillin and sulfa drugs are common triggers.
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Foods. Wheat, nuts, milk, shellfish, and egg allergies are common.
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Insect stings. These include bees, wasps, and mosquitoes.
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Mold. Airborne spores from mold can trigger a reaction.
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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:
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itchy eyes
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watery eyes
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runny nose
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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:
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antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
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corticosteroids
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cetirizine (Zyrtec)
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loratadine (Claritin)
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cromolyn sodium (Gastrocrom)
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decongestants (Afrin, Suphedrine PE, Sudafed)
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leukotriene modifiers (Singulair, Zyflo)
Singulair should only be prescribed if there are no other suitable treatment
options. This is because it increases your riskTrusted Source of serious behavioral and mood changes, such as suicidal thoughts and
actions.
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:
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suddenly narrowed airways
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increased heart rate
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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.
Many people with allergies may develop asthma. Here’s how to recognize
if it happens to you.
Allergies vs. cold
Runny nose, sneezing, and coughing are common symptoms of allergies. They
also happen to be common symptoms of a cold and a sinus infection. Indeed,
deciphering between the sometimes-generic symptoms can be difficult.
However, additional signs and symptoms of the conditions may help you
distinguish between the three. For example, allergies can cause rashes on
your skin and itchy eyes. The common cold can lead to body aches, even
fever. A sinus infection typically produces thick, yellow discharge from
your nose.
Allergies can impact your immune system for prolonged periods of time. When
the immune system is compromised, it makes you more likely to pick up
viruses you come into contact with. This includes the virus that causes the
common cold.
In turn, having allergies actually increases your risk for having more
colds. Identify the differences between the two common conditions with
this helpful chart.
Allergy cough
Hay fever can produce symptoms that include sneezing, coughing, and a
persistent, stubborn cough. It’s the result of your body’s overreaction to
allergens. It isn’t contagious, but it can be miserable.
Unlike a chronic cough, a cough caused by allergies and hay fever is
temporary. You may only experience the symptoms of this seasonal allergy
during specific times of the year, when plants are first blooming.
Additionally, seasonal allergies can trigger asthma, and asthma can cause
coughing. When a person with common seasonal allergies is exposed to an
allergen, tightening airways can lead to a cough. Shortness of breath and
chest tightening may also occur. Find out why hay fever coughs are
typically worse at night and what you can do to ease them.
Allergies and bronchitis
Viruses or bacteria can cause bronchitis, or it can be the result of
allergies. The first type, acute bronchitis, typically ends after
several days or weeks. Chronic bronchitis, however, can linger for
months, possibly longer. It may also return frequently.
Exposure to common allergens is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis.
These allergens include:
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cigarette smoke
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air pollution
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dust
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pollen
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chemical fumes
Unlike seasonal allergies, many of these allergens linger in environments
like houses or offices. That can make chronic bronchitis more persistent and
more likely to return.
A cough is the only common symptom between chronic and acute bronchitis.
Allergies and babies
Skin allergies are more common in younger children today than they were just
a few decades ago. However, skin allergies decrease as children grow older.
Respiratory and food allergies become more common as children get older.
Common skin allergies on babies include:
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Eczema. This is an inflammatory skin condition that causes red rashes that
itch. These rashes may develop slowly but be persistent.
-
Allergic contact dermatitis. This type of skin allergy appears quickly, often immediately after your
baby comes into contact with the irritant. More serious contact dermatitis
can develop into painful blisters and cause skin cracking.
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Hives. Hives are red bumps or raised areas of skin that develop after exposure
to an allergen. They don’t become scaly and crack, but itching the hives
may make the skin bleed.
Unusual rashes or hives on your baby’s body may alarm
you. Understanding the difference in the type of skin allergies babies
commonly experience can help you find a better treatment.
Living with allergies
Allergies are common and don’t have life-threatening consequences for most
people. People who are at risk of anaphylaxis can learn how to manage their
allergies and what to do in an emergency situation.
Most allergies are manageable with avoidance, medications, and lifestyle
changes. Working with your doctor or allergist can help reduce any major
complications and make life more enjoyable.
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