Description

Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance gets into the body. These substances are known as allergens. They include pollen, bee venom, and pet dander. Allergies can also occur due to certain foods and medications that do not cause a reaction in most people.

The immune system makes the protection of proteins called antibodies that attack the invaders like germs. But with allergies, the immune system produces antibodies that mark a specific allergen as harmful, even though it is not. Enter in contact with the allergen that causes an immune system reaction that can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways, and the digestive system.

Allergic reactions vary from person to person. They can range from a mild irritation to a life-threatening emergency called anaphylaxis. While most allergies can't be cured, treatments can help relieve the symptoms of allergy.

Symptoms

Allergy symptoms depend on what is the allergen that is involved. The symptoms can affect your airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Sometimes, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, can cause:

  • Sneezing.
  • The itching of the skin, nose, eyes or roof of the mouth.
  • Runny, stuffy nose.
  • The tiredness, also called fatigue.
  • Watery, red or swollen eyes, also called allergic conjunctivitis.

A food allergy can cause:

  • Tingling sensation in the mouth.
  • Swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat.
  • Itchy welts called urticaria.
  • Nasal congestion, sneezing, or watery eyes itchy.
  • Stomach cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • Anaphylaxis.

An allergy to insect stings can cause:

  • The pain and a large area of swelling called edema at the site of the bite.
  • Itching or hives all over the body.
  • The skin warmth and a change in the color of the skin, also called washing.
  • Cough, chest tightness, wheezing or difficulty breathing.
  • Anaphylaxis.

A medicine for the allergy can cause:

  • The hives.
  • Itchy skin or rash.
  • Swelling of the face.
  • Wheezing.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Feeling of dizziness.
  • Anaphylaxis.

Atopic dermatitis, an allergic condition of the skin, also called eczema, can cause the skin to:

  • The itching.
  • The form of red or brown patches that may be difficult to see on darker skin tones.
  • Scales, skin, or crack.

Anaphylaxis

Some types of allergies can trigger a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. Certain foods, insect stings, and medications are among the allergens that may trigger the life-threatening emergency. Anaphylaxis can cause you to go into shock. Other symptoms include:

  • That's going on outside.
  • A drop in blood pressure.
  • Severe difficulty breathing, and tightness in the throat.
  • Rash on the skin with a rash or hives.
  • The dizziness.
  • A rapid, weak pulse.
  • Upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • A sense of doom.

When to see a doctor

You can see a health care professional if you have symptoms that you think are caused by an allergy, and over-the-counter allergy medications that are sold without a prescription doesn't give him enough relief. If you still have symptoms after starting a new medication for a health condition, call the healthcare provider who prescribed it immediately.

For a severe allergic reaction, also called anaphylaxis, call 911 or the local emergency number. Or seek emergency medical help. An injection of a prescription medicine called epinephrine is necessary for the treatment of anaphylaxis. If you have an epinephrine auto-injector (Auvi-Q, EpiPen, other), to give it a shot right away.

Even if symptoms improve after an injection of epinephrine, go to the emergency room. Health professionals need to ensure that their symptoms do not return when the effects of the injection wear.

If you have had a severe allergy attack or any of the symptoms of anaphylaxis in the past, make an appointment to see your health care professional. The allergy testing and the creation of a long-term treatment plan for the management of anaphylaxis can be a challenge. So what's more likely is that you need to see a doctor called an allergist who lies and treats allergies and other immune system conditions.

Causes

Various substances that can cause allergies. An allergy occurs when the immune system mistakes a substance that is normally harmless to a dangerous invader. The immune system produces antibodies that remain alert to the specific allergen. When you are exposed to the allergen again, these antibodies can release a part of the immune system chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.

Common allergy triggers include:

  • Allergens in the air, such as pollen, animal dander, dust mites, mold and mildew.
  • Certain foods, especially peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs, and milk.
  • Insect bites, such as that of a bee or wasp.
  • Medications, especially to penicillin or penicillin-based antibiotics.
  • Made of latex or other substances that you touch, which can cause allergic reactions on the skin.

Risk factors

Risk factors for food allergies include:

  • Having a family history of asthma or allergies, such as hay fever, hives or eczema.
  • To be a child.
  • Have asthma or other allergic condition.

Complications

Have an allergy increases the risk of other health conditions so-called complications, including:

  • Anaphylaxis. If you have severe allergies, which raises the risk of this severe allergic reaction. Foods, medications, latex, and insect stings are the most common triggers of anaphylaxis.
  • Asthma. If you have an allergy, you're more likely to have asthma. Asthma is an immune system reaction that affects the airways and breathing. Often, the asthma is triggered by exposure to an allergen in the environment. This is known as allergy-induced asthma.
  • Infections of the sinuses, ears, or lungs. Your risk of developing these conditions is higher if you have hay fever or asthma.

Prevention

Prevention of allergic reactions depends on the type of allergy. The general measures include the following:

  • Keep away from triggers. Do this even if you receive treatment for the symptoms of allergy. For example, if you're allergic to pollen, stay inside with doors and windows closed when the pollen is high. If you are allergic to dust mites, dust and vacuum and wash your bedding often. You can also use "mite-proof" covers items such as pillows, duvets, mattresses and box springs.
  • Keep a journal. When it comes to understanding what is what causes allergy symptoms or makes them worse, track your activities and what you eat. Also note when the symptoms occur, and that seems to help. This can help you and your healthcare professional to find your triggers.
  • Wear a medical alert bracelet. If you have had a severe allergic reaction, use a medical alert bracelet or necklace. It lets others know that you have a severe allergy in case you have a reaction, and you are not able to speak.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis consists of the steps that your health professional needs to find out if you have an allergy. Your health care professional is likely to:

  • Detailed questions about your symptoms.
  • Do a physical exam.
  • You have to keep a detailed diary of the symptoms and possible triggers.

If you have a food allergy, your health care professional is likely to:

  • We ask that you keep a detailed diary of the foods you eat.
  • Ask if you have stopped eating the suspected food for allergy test.

Your healthcare provider may also recommend one or both of the following tests. Be aware that these allergy tests can give results that may not be exact.

  • Skin test. A health care professional uses a small needle to prick or scratch your skin and expose you to small amounts of the proteins found in their potential allergens. If you are allergic to, the more likely it is to develop a growth called a hive in the area of the test on your skin. If the test result suggests that you do not have an allergy, but to your health professional still think that you can, you may need a test called an intradermal skin test. Your healthcare provider will inject a small amount of allergen into your outer layer of skin.
  • Bloodtest. This test measures the amount of antibodies in the blood causes to destroy the allergens. These antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. The test is known as the specific IgE (sIgE) blood tests. It is also commonly called the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) or ImmunoCAP tests. The blood sample is sent to a lab to find out if you are sensitive to the suspected allergens.

If your healthcare professional thinks that something other than an allergy is the cause of your symptoms, other tests may be needed to help to find the cause.

Treatment

Treatments for allergies include:

  • Stay away from the triggers of allergies, also known as avoidance. Your health care professional helps you to take measures to detect and stay away from your allergy. Often, this is the most important step in preventing allergic reactions and reducing symptoms.
  • Drugs. Depending on your allergies, medications that can help lower the reaction of the immune system and relieve the symptoms. Your health care professional may suggest medications in the form of tablets or liquids, nasal sprays or eye drops.
  • Immunotherapy.This treatment can help treat severe allergies. It can also help for allergies that do not improve with other treatments. Immunotherapy involves getting a series of injections of purified allergen extracts. These extracts train the immune system not to overreact to his suspected allergen. Most often, the dose is administered over a period of a couple of years. Another form of immunotherapy is a tablet that is placed under the tongue until dissolved. This is known as sublingual immunotherapy. Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue is used to treat some of the pollen allergies.
  • Emergency epinephrine. If you have a severe allergy, you might need to carry an emergency epinephrine shot at all times. An injection of epinephrine (Auvi-Q, EpiPen, others) may help relieve the symptoms of a serious allergic reaction until you get emergency treatment.

Immunotherapy. This treatment can help treat severe allergies. It can also help for allergies that do not improve with other treatments. Immunotherapy involves getting a series of injections of purified allergen extracts. These extracts train the immune system not to overreact to his suspected allergen. Most often, the dose is administered over a period of a couple of years.

Another form of immunotherapy is a tablet that is placed under the tongue until dissolved. This is known as sublingual immunotherapy. Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue is used to treat some of the pollen allergies.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Some of the allergy symptoms improve with the measures that you can take at home:

  • Nasal congestion and hay fever symptoms. These often improve with saline nasal sprays. These aerosols rinse your sinuses with a saline solution and water. You can use a neti pot or a specially designed squeeze bottle to remove the thickened mucus and irritants from your nose. But be aware that the use of a neti pot or other device incorrectly can lead to infection.
  • Home air allergy symptoms. Decrease your exposure to dust mites or pet dander by washing of bed linen and stuffed toys in hot water often. Also, keep indoor humidity low. And regularly using a vacuum with a fine filter, such as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Thinking about replacing carpets with hard flooring too.
  • Mold allergy symptoms. Reduce humidity in damp areas, such as the bathroom and the kitchen, by the use of fans and dehumidifiers. Correction of leaks in the interior and the exterior of your house. You can also improve the flow of air out of the door between the rooms open, and move the furniture away from the walls.

Alternative medicine

The research suggests that a type of alternative medicine called acupuncture can help to relieve some of the symptoms of hay fever. With acupuncture, a practitioner places of very thin needles in the skin at specific points of the body.

Preparing for your appointment

For symptoms that could be caused by an allergy, consult your primary health care provider. You may be referred to a doctor called an allergist who treats allergies.

What you can do

Ask if you should stop taking allergy medications before your appointment, and for how long. For example, antihistamines can affect the results of allergy skin test.

Make a list of:

  • Its symptoms, including those that do not seem to be related to allergies. Note when the onset of symptoms.
  • Your family history of allergies and asthma, including the specific types of allergies, if known.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, and other supplements that you take, including over-dose.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

Some basic questions to ask your health care professional include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • I need allergy tests?
  • Should I see an allergy specialist?
  • What treatment do you recommend it?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • What are the symptoms of emergency due to my friends and family to keep in mind?

Feel free to ask questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider will likely ask questions such as:

  • Have you recently had a cold or other respiratory infection?
  • Are your symptoms worse at certain times of the day?
  • Nothing seems to improve or worsen your symptoms?
  • Are your symptoms worse in certain areas of the home or at work?
  • Do you have any pets, and do that go to the bedroom?
  • There is moisture or water damage in your home or place of work?
  • Do you smoke, or are exposed to second-hand smoke or other pollutants?
  • What treatments have been tried up to now? Have helped?
Symptoms and treatment of Allergies