What is an Allergy?
Allergy is the body's immune system's response to foreign substances like pollen, molds, animal dander, latex, and insect sting. Or food that doesn't cause a reaction in most people. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen.
When you have allergies, Your body's immune system produces substances known as antibodies. It recognizes a specific allergen as harmful, even though it isn't. When you come into contact with the allergen, your immune system's reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive system.
The immune system learns to recognize and remember the allergen. As it does this, it starts making antibodies to attack it when exposed. This process is called sensitivity.
Your sensitivity may be lenient, similar to a rash on your hands when you take off gloves, or it could be life-threatening. A severe response is called hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis; Sometimes, it could immediately spread all through your body and make it hard to relax.
An allergy starts when an allergen binds with antibodies produced by the body's immune system called immunoglobulin E (IgE).Antibodies combat unfamiliar and possibly destructive substances in the body. When your body contacts the foreign body again, it secretes some chemicals such as Histamine.
Histamine works with nerves to produce itching. Food allergies can cause vomiting and diarrhea. And it tightens muscles in the lungs, making it harder to breathe. Most troubling is when Histamine causes anaphylaxis, a severe reaction that is possibly fatal.
Types Of Allergies
There are many sorts of allergies. A few allergies are seasonal, and others are year-round. A few allergies might be deep-rooted.
It is essential to work with your medical services supplier to make a plan to deal with your allergy. Staying away from your allergens is the only way to prevent an unfavorably allergic reaction.
There are two major types of Allergies:
Seasonal Allergy:
Seasonal allergies are common in late spring and summer. They are generally caused by an airborne allergen, pollen, grass, mold, and animal dander.
Perennial Allergy:
Perennial allergy is a chronic condition that produces symptoms like Congestion, Itching in the eyes and nose, coughing, and Inflamed and watery eyes.
Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)
Hay fever is a seasonal allergy also called allergic rhinitis. It is a hypersensitive response to dust, ordinarily when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes, and throat. It is an allergy that occurs in response to a specific allergen and usually lasts for months.
Skin Allergy
Skin allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to a harmful foreign substance and produces itching on the surface of the skin. A skin allergy can cause itchy skin, rash, burning, redness, raised bumps, hives, and swelling.
Drug Allergy
Drug allergy produces symptoms like hives, Wheezing, Itchy skin, and Swelling on the face, especially the tongue and lips. It is the immune system's response against drugs to which you are allergic. Penicillin is the most frequent drug allergy, affecting approximately 10% of patients.
Food Allergy
A food allergy occurs when your immune system reacts shortly after eating a particular food. Foods that can commonly cause an allergic reaction are Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Fish, Shellfish, and some foods and vegetables.
Insect Sting Allergy
Insect sting allergy occurs when poisonous insects such as wasps, bees, hornets, and ants sting your skin; your immune system produces an allergic reaction. It has itching, swelling, redness, hives, and pain.
Latex Allergy
It is an allergic reaction to natural rubber latex such as latex gloves, balloons, and natural rubber products. It produces symptoms like itching, inflammation, hives, itchy rash, and runny nose.
Mold Allergy
Mold allergy occurs when you breathe in mold spores. It can cause sneezing, coughing, runny or stuffy nose, and itchy eyes, nose, and throat.
Pet Allergy
Pet allergies occur when a protein found in animal dander comes into contact with your skin, causing symptoms similar to hay fever such as congestion, itching in the eyes and nose, coughing, runny nose, inflamed and watery eyes, and swollen eyes.
Pollen Allergy
Pollen allergies happen when the pollen you're allergic to is in the air. It produces symptoms like sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, watery and itchy red eyes, and postnasal drip.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand more about types of allergies, how to identify them and what to do if you or your child have an allergic reaction. If you’re still confused about allergies and want answers, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
If you or someone you love has allergies, we want to hear your story. Tell us about your allergy symptoms and discover the difference between common allergy symptoms, and dangerous allergy reactions.
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