Are you tired of constantly blowing your nose and your relentless sneezing? People with allergic reactions suffer from different symptoms, but it doesn’t mean you have to give in to your triggers.
In this article, we will discuss how to control your symptoms so they don’t negatively impact your life.
What Is An Allergy?
Allergic reactions happen when the immune system reacts to something foreign, like pollen, pet dander, or certain foods. This leads to the body producing antibodies and histamine, which is released into the bloodstream to combat foreign substances.
When you have allergies, your body produces antibodies that tell your immune system that a certain allergen is dangerous, even though it is not. When you come in contact with a trigger or allergen, your immune system may react by making your skin, airways, or digestive system inflamed.
Anyone can develop allergies, but they often begin after age three, peak in the teen years, and lessen in adulthood.
What Are The Symptoms Of An Allergic Reaction?
When experiencing an allergic reaction, symptoms might range greatly in intensity. These are some of the signs of an allergic reaction:
- Itching
- Skin redness and hives
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Swelling of the lips or tongue
- Dizziness or fainting
- Trouble breathing
- Mouth tingling or itchiness
- Stomach pain or vomiting
What Are The Types Of Allergies And Their Causes?
Allergens are substances that trigger allergic reactions. Their initial exposure to the substance determines a person’s reaction to an allergy. Many people experience allergic reactions in the respiratory tract, skin, and mucous membranes.
Most of the time, symptoms appear soon after the first exposure to the allergen. In other cases, the reaction might not happen for a few hours or even a few days. Symptoms can affect a person’s daily life, ranging from mild to severe.
The different types of allergies are:
Food Allergy
A food allergy is when your immune system reacts to a particular food. Even a tiny amount of the food that causes the allergy can cause signs and symptoms like stomach pain, hives, or swollen airways. Some people with food allergies can get very sick or even die from a reaction called anaphylaxis.
These eight foods cause most food allergies:
- Milk
- Soy
- Peanut
- Tree nut
- Shellfish such as shrimp, crab, and lobster
- Fish
- Egg
- Wheat
Pollen Allergy
Pollen is a fine powder that trees, grasses, flowers, and weeds create to fertilize other members of their species. It is also the most common contributor to allergic reactions. A pollen allergy is chronic, meaning it will likely never go away. But there are drugs and allergy treatments that help alleviate the symptoms.
There are a lot of different kinds of plants that send pollen into the air and cause allergic reactions. The most common are the following:
- Oak trees
- Birch trees
- Maple trees
- Juniper trees
- Willow trees
- Ragweed plants
- Grass
Drug Allergy
A drug allergy is when your immune system reacts strangely to medicine. Any drug, whether over-the-counter, prescribed, or herbal, can cause a drug allergy. However, some medications are more likely to cause an allergy. These include:
- Antibiotics like penicillin
- Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen sodium
- Autoimmune disease medications
- Chemotherapy drugs
Pet Allergy
An allergy to a pet is a reaction to proteins in the animal’s skin cells, saliva, or urine. Most of the time, an allergy to a pet is caused by dander, which is dead skin that a pet sheds. Any animal with fur can cause pet allergies, but cats and dogs are most often linked to pet allergies.
Dander is a big problem because it is so small and can stay in the air for a long time with just a little air movement. It also sticks to your clothing and is easy to get into upholstered furniture.
Insect Allergy
Most people only get a minor reaction when they get stung by an insect. Usually, this goes away in a few hours. On the other hand, some people can have a bad reaction to an insect sting or even die from it.
The common families of insects that cause the most allergies are:
- Vespids (hornets, wasps, yellow jackets)
- Bees (honey bees, bumblebees, sweat bees)
- Ants (fire ants, harvester ants)
- Cimicidae (bed bugs)
Even insects that don’t sting or bite can cause allergic reactions, especially cockroaches and dust mites. These two bugs may be the ones that cause allergies and asthma all year long. The waste and bodies of cockroaches and dust mites can make people with allergies sick. They can also trigger asthma symptoms and attacks.
Mold Allergy
Mold is a kind of fungus that releases spores into the air. It can grow on nearly anything when there is moisture or a damp environment. Thus, mold can be found both inside and outside.
The symptoms of a mold allergy are the same as those of other upper respiratory allergies. Mold allergy symptoms differ for each person and can be mild or very bad. You might have symptoms all year long, or you might only have symptoms at certain times.
Latex Allergy
Latex is a protein extracted from the sap of rubber trees cultivated in Southeast Asia and Africa. If your body is allergic to latex, it misidentifies latex as a potentially dangerous substance. Latex allergy can happen in the following ways:
- Direct contact
The most usual cause of latex allergy is touching latex-containing products, such as latex gloves, condoms, and balloons.
- Inhalation
Latex items, particularly gloves, emit latex particles that can be inhaled when released into the air. The concentration of airborne latex from gloves varies significantly depending on the brand.
Numerous common goods include latex. However, a suitable alternative can typically be found. Avoid these products to avoid an allergic response to latex:
- Balloons
- Dishwashing gloves
- Condoms
- Rubber bands and toys
- Erasers
- Baby bottle nipples
- Intravenous tubing
- Syringes
- Foam pillows and mattresses
- Adhesive bandages
Not every latex product is derived from natural materials. Synthetic latex products like latex paint are not likely to produce an allergic reaction because it’s made from different materials.
How To Prevent And Control Your Allergies?
Food Allergy
If you already have a food allergy, the best way to avoid a reaction is to know what foods cause symptoms and stay away from them. Some people don’t mind this much, but it’s a big problem for others. Also, some foods can be well hidden when used as ingredients in some dishes. This is particularly the case in restaurants and other places where they sell cooked food.
If your child suffers from a food allergy, take action to keep them safe. Tell essential people that your child is allergic to certain foods. It will help if you talk to their care providers, teachers, and the parents of your child’s friends.
It is also important to explain the signs of a food allergy. Teach the adults who usually spend time with your kids how to spot the symptoms of a food allergic reaction.
Pollen Allergy
If you’re allergic to pollen, it’s essential to avoid pollen at all costs. You can take steps to lessen the impact of pollen allergies:
- Take your allergy medication before the season begins because it is the most effective way to take allergy medications.
- You should limit spending time outside when pollen counts are high.
- Reduce allergens in the air by running the air conditioner or using an air purifier with a good filter and/or HEPA filtration.
- Outdoorswear should be changed and washed after use.
- Always take a bath or shower before going to bed.
- Close windows and air vents during the height of pollen season.
Drug Allergy
If you have an allergy to a specific drug, the best thing you can do is stay away from that drug. You can take the following steps to protect yourself:
- Tell healthcare workers about your allergy.
- Make sure that your medical records show that you are allergic to a drug.
- Wear a bracelet that says you have an allergy to a certain drug. With this information, you can get the right care in an emergency.
Pet Allergy
Having a pet allergy can be challenging. Especially with how animals become like family members. Keeping your pet might be okay if your allergy isn’t too bad. Here are a few ways to control pet allergens in your house:
- Keep your pet out of your bedroom
- Don’t let pets on fabric furniture
- Ask help from someone without an allergy to clean your pet’s bedding or cage
- After spending time with your pet, change your clothes and take a shower
- Always wash your hands after touching your pet
- Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter
- Wash your pet weekly
Get advice from your doctor on how to handle your animal allergy. They could suggest taking medication before interacting with pets. They’ll also advise you on what to do after contacting animals.
Insect Allergy
If you’ve had a severe reaction to an insect bite before, you’re more likely to have the same or a worse reaction if the same kind of insect bites you again. Of course, avoiding being stung is the best way to prevent an allergic reaction. Other ways to avoid being stung are:
- Get the beehives and nests out of your house and yard.
- When you are outside, wear clothes that will keep you safe.
- If you are going outside where there might be bugs, don’t wear bright colors or strong scents.
- Stay alert when you eat outside because the smell of food is a draw for insects.
Mold Allergy
A high level of mold spore exposure may produce allergy reactions. In addition, frequent mold contact can heighten a person’s sensitivity, resulting in more severe allergic reactions. You can take these steps to avoid mold in your home:
- Get rid of the things that make basements damp, like pipe leaks or groundwater leakages
- Use a dehumidifier in any room that smells damp or musty.
- Make sure that all of the bathrooms have enough ventilation, and run the exhaust fan while taking a bath or a shower.
- Improve air circulation in your home. Open the doors and windows, move the furniture away from the walls, and if necessary, use fans.
- When using an air conditioner, think about getting central air with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. Mold spores in the air outside can be caught by the HEPA filter before they get into your home.
- Frequently change the filters in your furnace and air conditioner.
- Repair any roof leaks and fix roof gutters.
Latex Allergy
Many medical establishments utilize latex-free gloves. However, because other medical goods may include latex or rubber, you must inform doctors, nurses, dentists, and other healthcare professionals about your latex or rubber allergy before all exams and treatments. You can tell others about your latex allergy by wearing a medical alert bracelet.
What Is Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction of extreme severity. It can occur within minutes or even seconds after exposure to allergens like peanuts or bee stings.
The immune system releases a rush of chemicals during anaphylaxis, which can cause you to go into shock. Then your blood pressure drops abruptly, and your airways constrict, preventing you from breathing. In addition to a quick, weak pulse, symptoms include a skin rash, nausea, and vomiting. Certain foods, some drugs, insect venom, and latex are common allergens.
An injection of epinephrine and a visit to the emergency department are required to treat anaphylaxis. If you lack epinephrine, you must rush to the nearest emergency room. It can be fatal if anaphylaxis is not treated immediately.
If you are at risk for anaphylaxis, always have your epinephrine auto-injectors. Epinephrine is the only way to treat a severe allergic reaction. It’s only available with a prescription from your doctor. Two auto-injectors are included with each prescription.
Takeaways
Even if you are careful, you will probably be exposed to what you are allergic to at some point. You can quickly and effectively deal with an allergy emergency if you know the signs and symptoms of an allergic or even an anaphylactic reaction.
It’s important to know your allergic reaction and act accordingly. If the reaction worsens, you should call emergency medical services immediately. Always stay where you are and let an ambulance take you to the hospital.
You should see a doctor or an allergist if your allergies are causing frequent sinus infections or trouble breathing. Another reason is when antihistamines and other over-the-counter medicines don’t help with your allergy symptoms or cause unwanted side effects, like making you sleepy.