Allergies
What is an allergy?
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.
What are the symptoms of allergies?
Food allergies can trigger swelling, hives, nausea, fatigue, and more. For seasonal allergies you may experience congestion, runny nose, and swollen eyes. Your eyes may be watery or itchy and look “puffy.” Allergies may lead to rashes or stinging sensations on your skin, itching. Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening emergency that can lead to have breathing difficulties, swollen eyes, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness.
What causes allergies?
Allergies have a genetic component. Common types of allergens include:
- Foods: snails, crabs, soya, wheat, groundnut, milks, shellfish, and egg
- Drugs: penicillin and sulfa drugs
- Animal products: these include pet dander, dust mite waste, and cockroaches
- 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
- Cigarette smoke
- Latex: found in latex gloves and condoms
- Metals like nickel
What are the complications of allergies?
Anaphylaxis is a serious reaction to the exposure of allergens. Most people associate anaphylaxis with food, but any allergen can cause the telltale signs which are mainly:
- Suddenly narrowed airways
- Increased heart rate
- Possible swelling of the tongue and mouth
- Asthma is closely related to allergies, many people with allergies may develop asthma.
How are allergies diagnosed?
Your doctor may talk to you, assess you and conduct some tests to identify the offending allergen.
Skin test: 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.
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.
How is allergy treated?
The best way to avoid allergies is to stay away from whatever triggers the reaction. If that is not possible, there are treatment options available. Allergy treatment often includes medications like antihistamines to control symptoms. The medication can be over the counter or prescription.
Allergy medications include:
- Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Corticosteroids
- Cetirizine
- Loratadine (Claritin)
- Cromolyn sodium (Gastrocrom)
- Decongestants (Afrin, Suphedrine PE, Sudafed)
- Leukotriene modifiers (Singulair, Zyflo)
- 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.
When it comes to allergies, the age-old advice of prevention being better than cure is your best option.
