Your immune system normally adjusts to your environment. Forexample, when your body encounters something like pet dander, it should realizeit’s harmless. In people with dander allergies, the immune system perceives it asan outside invader threatening the body and attacks it.
Allergies are common, and several treatments can help youavoid annoying and troublesome symptoms.
Causes and types of allergies
Researchers aren’t exactly sure why the immune system causesan allergic reaction when a normally harmless foreign substance enters the body.
Allergies have a genetic component, meaning that they can bepassed down from parent to child. However, only a general susceptibility toallergic reaction is genetic. Specific allergies are not passed down. Forinstance, if your mother is allergic to shellfish, it doesn’t necessarily meanthat you will be too.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma& Immunology, common types of allergens include:
- animal products: pet dander, dust mite waste, cockroaches
- drugs: penicillin, sulfa drugs
- foods: wheat, nuts, milk, shellfish, eggs
- insect stings: bees, wasps, mosquitoes
- mold: airborne spores from mold
- plants: pollens from grass, weeds, and trees, as well as resin from plants such as poison ivy and poison oak
- other: latex, metals
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, are some of themost common allergies. These are caused by pollen released by plants. Theycause:
- itchy eyes
- watery eyes
- runny nose
- coughing
When to see a doctor about allergies
Allergy symptoms can create many complications. Your doctorcan help determine the cause of your symptoms as well as the difference betweena sensitivity and a full-blown allergy. Your doctor can also teach you how tomanage your allergy symptoms.
For food allergies
Food allergies can trigger swelling, hives, nausea, fatigue,and more. It may take a while for a person to realize that they have a foodallergy. If you have a serious reaction after a meal and you’re not sure why,see a medical professional immediately. They can find the exact cause of yourreaction or refer you to a specialist.
For seasonal allergies
Hay fever symptoms can mimic those of a cold. They includecongestion, runny nose, and swollen eyes. Most of the time, you can managethese symptoms at home using over-the-counter treatments. See your doctor ifyour symptoms become unmanageable.
For severe allergies
Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis. This is alife-threatening emergency that can lead to breathing difficulties,lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness. If you’re experiencing these symptoms after coming in contact with apossible allergen, seek medical help immediately.
How allergies are diagnosed
Allergies can be diagnosed in several ways. First, yourdoctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. They’ll also askabout anything unusual you may have eaten recently and any substances you mayhave come in contact with. For example, if you have a rash on your hands, yourdoctor may ask if you put on latex gloves recently.
Process of elimination
Food allergies are typically diagnosed through a process ofelimination. Your doctor may have you follow an elimination diet. Thismeans you remove certain foods from your diet and then rate your symptoms. Thenyou slowly add foods back into the diet and record your symptoms in a fooddiary.
Skin test
Your doctor may also refer you to an allergist for testingand treatment. A skin test is a common type of allergy test carried out by anallergist. During this test, your skin is pricked or scratched with smallneedles containing potential allergens. Your skin’s reaction is documented. Ifyou’re allergic to a particular substance, your skin will become red andinflamed.
Blood test
Your doctor or allergist may also order a blood test knownas a radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Your blood will be tested forthe presence of allergy-causing antibodies (cells that react to allergens).
Allergy treatments
The best way to avoid allergies is avoiding whatevertriggers the reaction. If that’s not possible, there are treatment optionsavailable.
Medication
Allergy treatment often includes medications likeantihistamines to control symptoms. The medication can be over-the-counter orprescription, depending on the severity of your allergies.
Allergy medications include:
Immunotherapy
Many people opt for immunotherapy. This involves severalinjections over the course of a few years to help the body get used to yourallergy. Successful immunotherapy can prevent allergy symptoms from returning.
Emergency epinephrine
If you have a severe, life-threatening allergy, you shouldcarry an emergency epinephrine shot. The shot counters allergic reactions untilmedical help arrives. Common brands of this treatment include EpiPen andTwinject.
Alternatives
There are many natural treatments and supplements marketedto treat allergies, but you should discuss these with your doctor before tryingthem. Some natural treatments may contain other allergens.
Preventing symptoms
There is no way to prevent allergies. But there are ways toprevent the symptoms from occurring. The best way to prevent allergy symptomsis to avoid the allergens that trigger them.
Avoidance is the most effective way to prevent food allergysymptoms. An elimination diet can help you determine the cause of your allergiesso you know how to avoid them. To help you avoid food allergens, thoroughlyread food labels and ask questions while dining out.
Preventing seasonal, contact, and other allergies comes downto knowing where the allergens are located and how to avoid them. If you’reallergic to dust, for example, you can help reduce symptoms by installingproper air filters in your home, getting your air ducts professionally cleaned,and dusting your home regularly.
Proper allergy testing can help you pinpoint your exacttriggers, which makes them easier to avoid.
Living with allergies
Allergies are common and don’t have life-threateningconsequences for most people. People who are at risk of anaphylaxis can learnhow to manage their allergies and what to do in an emergency situation.
Most allergies are manageable with avoidance, medications,and lifestyle changes. Working with your doctor or allergist can help reduceany major complications and make life more enjoyable.