Allergies
- Liz F
- Dec 28, 2022
- 4 min read
What are allergies?
By definition, allergies are abnormal reactions that arise from the immune system in response to certain substances, which are typically harmless to the majority of people. Since one’s immune system produces antibodies, those who have allergies make antibodies when encountering an allergen, causing a variety of symptoms. An allergen is a substance that causes allergies. Allergens can be inhaled into the nose or lung, ingested through the mouth, injected into the body, and absorbed by the skin.
Diagnosis
There are numerous ways to diagnose allergies. Most commonly, it starts when someone experiences symptoms such as getting hives after being in grass. If this happens, it is recommended to make an appointment with one’s doctor. From then on, the doctor has multiple ways to find a diagnosis. Diagnosis consists of personal and medical history, physical exam, and tests such as a skin, patch, or blood test. In a skin prick test, the doctor will lightly prick or scratch the skin with an allergen, then if sensitive to the allergen the area will redden, swell, and itch. An intradermal skin test is when an allergen is injected into the skin and the area will later be checked for an indication of allergies. A blood test is simply when a blood sample is taken and an allergen is added to the blood sample to examine the number of antibodies produced by the blood. A physician-supervised challenge test is when an allergen is inhaled or taken in by mouth, although it has to be supervised due to life-threatening tests. Finally, the patch test is when an allergen is placed on the skin and covered with a bandage, it is then checked 48 to 96 hours later. If allergic to the substance, a rash will develop indicating an allergy. That wraps up diagnosing allergies.
Symptoms of Allergies
Depending on the type and severity of an allergy, the symptoms vary. The general symptoms of allergies are itchy/watery eyes, itchy nose, sneezing, runny nose, rashes, hives, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, swelling, redness, pain, tongue swelling, cough, throat closing, wheezing, chest tightness, losing breath, and feeling faint or light-headed. Symptoms of severe allergic reactions are swelling of the mouth or throat, difficulty breathing, confusion, blue skin or lips, and losing consciousness. Food allergy symptoms include wheezing, repetitive cough, weak pulse, trouble swallowing, stomach cramps, and more. Skin allergy symptoms on the other hand are usually hives, eczema, or contact dermatitis. Symptoms of dust allergies are itching, red/teary eyes, sneezing, and runny nose. Insect sting allergy symptoms comprise pain, redness, swelling, flushing, and hives. Symptoms of mold allergy are nasal congestion, itchy throat, coughing, irritated eyes, runny nose, and more. All of these symptoms are allergic reactions to allergens.
Causes of Allergies: It isn’t completely sure why allergic reactions occur when allergens enter the body. Although there are causes of allergic reactions in regard to the allergens. Allergens consist of animal products, drugs, foods, insect stings, mold, and plants. Some other allergens include latex and metals. Allergies can also be caused by genetics since parents can pass down allergies to their children. Although, only the general characteristic of allergies are passed down rather than specific allergies. In summary, allergens as well as genetics contribute to allergies.
Types of allergies
Allergies consist of many different types. Allergies are either seasonal, year-round, and sometimes even life-long. One type of allergy is drug allergies. Drug allergies are not insanely common, and many drug reactions are side effects rather than allergic reactions. The most common drug allergies are products of antibiotics, aspirin, chemotherapy drugs, HIV drugs, insulin, antiseizure drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and more. The next type of allergy is food allergies. Food allergies differ by IgE-mediated allergies, non-IgE mediated allergies, and food intolerances. Food allergies usually are in reaction to milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts, and fish. Next, insect allergies are commonly caused by bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and fire ants which cause allergic reactions by singing. Cockroaches and insect-like dust mites are non-stinging but are major parts of insect allergies. Latex allergies are in response to natural rubber latex seen in products such as rubber gloves, balloons, and others. Latex allergies actually can be a serious health risk. Mold allergies usually come from fungi which are present in lots of places making it a year-round allergy. Pet allergies are most common with pets who have fur, but there are hypoallergenic dogs and cats. Another type of allergy is a pollen allergy which is a seasonal allergy. Lastly, there is hay fever which is a group of symptoms affecting the nose seasonally. Hay fever can be caused by overreactions to airborne mold spores or pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds. In general, types of allergies include drug allergies, food allergies, insect allergies, latex allergies, mold allergies, pet allergies, and pollen allergies.
Managing Allergies/Treatment
Managing and treating allergies is essential in preventing allergic reactions. The first way of preventing allergies is by avoiding allergens. If it is impossible to completely avoid certain allergens, it is recommended to reduce contact. The next way of prevention is taking medicines as prescribed. This is essential to successfully manage one’s symptoms. Keeping a diary of what one does, what one eats, when symptoms occur, and what helps systems is extremely helpful for doctors to find information about one’s allergies. It is extremely significant to know what to do during an allergic reaction. Responding to an allergic reaction should be quick and proper. In the case of progression or severity, one should call 911 instantly. Additionally, if one has ever had a severe allergic reaction, one should wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace in case one cannot communicate during a reaction. Another way to manage allergies is by taking antihistamines, which are medications that treat symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, hives, and more. Decongestants are great ways to relieve symptoms of nasal congestion that come from allergic reactions. Although, it is critical to consult one;s doctor before taking decongestants. Finally, allergy shots reduce sensitivity to the allergens that cause allergic reactions. Allergy shot treatment includes injecting small amounts of allergens over regular intervals that increase over time. All in all, there are many ways to prevent and manage one’s allergies, therefore, reducing allergic reactions and their symptoms.
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