Allergy | Causes | Signs and Symptoms | Prevention | Bemable

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All that You Need to Know About Allergies

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.

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Causes

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.

Common allergy triggers include:

• Airborne Allergen: It includes pollen, animal dander, mold, and dust mites.

• Insect Stings: Honeybee, Wasp, Hornet, Fire ants, and Yellowjacket.

• Medications: Especially penicillin or penicillin-based antibiotics can cause drug allergies.

• Diet: Foods that commonly cause an allergic reaction are: Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Fish, Shellfish, and some foods and vegetables.

• Fungal Spores: when you breathe in mold spores, your immune system overreacts and causes itchy eyes, coughing, and other symptoms.

• Pollution: Air pollution is on the rise with urbanization and industrialization. 40% of the world's population causes air pollution.

• Contact: Like contact dermatitis, it is an itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction.

• Latex or Other substances that you Touch: can cause hypersensitive skin reactions.

• Water: Some people are also allergic to water also called aquagenic urticaria.

Risk Factor

The risk factor increases: 

• when you have a family history of asthma allergies such as Hay Fever, Hives, or Eczema
• Have asthma or other allergic condition
• In early age

Complications

• Anaphylaxis: If you have severe allergies, you're at the expanded hazard of this serious sensitivity-initiated response. Food sources, prescriptions, and insect stings are the most well-known triggers of anaphylaxis.

• Sinusitis and infections of the ears or lungs: Your risk of getting these conditions is higher if you have hay fever or asthma.

• Asthma: When allergy combines with the respiratory system, it causes asthma. In an asthmatic condition, a person feels difficulty in breathing. Allergens are also called triggers because they cause asthma. Things that could cause you to react might not affect other people.

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Symptoms

Allergy symptoms depend on which allergen triggers your allergy. For example, allergic reactions may occur in the gut, skin, sinuses, airways, eyes, or nasal passages.

Hay Fever (Seasonal Allergies) can produce symptoms like:

• Congestion
• Itching in eyes and nose 
• A cough
• A runny nose
• Inflamed and watery eyes
• Swollen eyes

Insect Sting Allergy can produce symptoms like:

• Itching all over the body
• A cough, wheezing, chest congestion 
• Red and itchy rash
• Swelling at the site of the sting
• Anaphylaxis in severe cases
• Restlessness 

Drug Allergy can produce symptoms like:

• Hives 
• Itchy skin
• Swelling on the face, especially the tongue and lips
• Wheezing

Food allergy can produce symptoms like:

• Vomiting
• Swelling of the tongue, face, or throat 
• Itchy mouth
• Chest congestion
• Tingling in the mouth

Allergic rhinitis can produce symptoms like:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing 
• Chest congestion
• Itchy eyes
• Conjunctivitis 

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid the substance you're oversensitive to, although it does not always work. There is some feasible advice that could help you to prevent some common allergens.

• Avoid exposure to those substances to which you are allergic
• Wear a medical bracelet having details of your allergy
• Diagnose your allergy so you can understand what you have to avoid
• Avoid triggers those substances which increase your allergy
• Write your activities and what you eat; it can help your doctor to diagnose what triggers your allergy
• Apply insect repellent
• Avoid wearing strong perfumes or fragrances, as these can attract insects
• Keep home dry and clean; avoid damp buildings, and damp woods, cut grass, and compost heaps
• Check weather reports for the pollen count and stay indoors when it's high, if possible
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes

Conclusion

If you have a food allergy, it’s essential to know what the symptoms of an allergic reaction are and how to recognize them. The good news is that most people with allergies will develop some kind of rash on their bodies even if they have never had an allergic reaction. If your skin is itching or breaking out in hives and you have other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing, this could be a sign of an allergic reaction. It’s also important not to ignore these symptoms because they could get worse without treatment! 

If you think that your child has an allergic reaction to something, don't wait for him/her to become unresponsive before calling 911!