Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen or pet dander, that does not cause a reaction in most individuals. These reactions range from minor irritation to anaphylaxis, and the latter is a potentially life-threatening emergency. Allergies affect millions of people globally at various times of the year.
Understanding Allergy Triggers
While your immune system produces antibodies to protect you, it sometimes identifies a harmless allergen as harmful, and this mistake triggers an inflammatory response. When you come into contact with the allergen, your immune system’s reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive system. Allergies have genetic roots, but environmental factors also play a large role in their development. Many substances trigger these reactions; airborne allergens are very common, and they include pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and mold.
Some individuals react to certain foods, such as peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs, and milk. Insect stings from bees or wasps can cause severe swelling, and medicines like penicillin are other potential triggers. Latex or substances you touch can cause skin reactions. The reaction’s severity varies from person to person, and it can change over time.
Recognizing Common Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the substance involved, and they can affect your airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system. Hay fever causes sneezing and itching of the nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth, while food reactions might cause hives or swelling. An insect sting can lead to a large area of swelling at the sting site. If you have severe reactions, you might experience anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Common symptoms include:
- Hay fever: Sneezing, itching of the nose or eyes, runny or stuffy nose, and watery or swollen eyes.
- Atopic dermatitis: Itchiness, reddened skin, and flaking or peeling.
- Food allergy: Tingling in the mouth, swelling of the lips or tongue, hives, and anaphylaxis.
- Insect sting: Edema at the sting site, itching or hives all over the body, cough, chest tightness, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
- Drug allergy: Hives, itchy skin, rash, facial swelling, and wheezing.
Examining Health Effects
Allergic reactions take a toll on your body beyond just a runny nose or itchy eyes. Because nasal congestion disrupts sleep, people with allergies may experience chronic fatigue during the day. This exhaustion affects concentration, and it can lower your productivity at work or school. Sinus infections are another complication, as fluid builds up in your swollen nasal passages.
Asthma and allergies are closely linked; if you have an allergy, your immune system is more likely to react to triggers that affect your lungs. This reaction causes airway inflammation, and it makes breathing difficult during physical activity or exposure to cold air. Managing your allergies may help control asthma symptoms.
Identifying Warning Signs
You should see a doctor if symptoms persist despite using over-the-counter medications. An allergist can perform tests to identify your specific triggers. Skin tests are one option, and blood tests provide alternative diagnostic options if skin testing is not possible.
Signs that you may benefit from professional help include:
- Your symptoms cause nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, or chronic sinus infections.
- Hay fever or other allergy symptoms occur several months out of the year.
- Antihistamines and over-the-counter medications do not control your allergy symptoms effectively, or they create unacceptable side effects like drowsiness.
- Your allergies interfere with your day-to-day activities.
If you struggle with breathing, seek care immediately, and your doctor may prescribe an epinephrine injector. Diagnosis involves a review of your medical history and specific testing. Once your doctor identifies your triggers, they will recommend a treatment plan. This plan might include allergen avoidance, medications, or immunotherapy.
Learn More About Allergies
Managing allergies may help improve your quality of life. Although there is no cure, treatments can relieve your symptoms. Treatment can consist of medication or lifestyle adjustments, and it may include trigger avoidance. If you want to learn more about the treatment and diagnosis of allergies, consult an allergist near you.
