Allergies - Symptoms, Risk factors and Treatment

Allergy is a response of your body when it reacts to something it considers foreign. It can occur due to anything like bee venom, pet danders, dust, or even food. Your body has a mechanism of producing antibodies- a protein substance that fights against foreign particles. During allergy, your body perceives anything, mostly harmless ones, as a foreign particle and starts to produce antibodies against them. 

Your body perceives the allergen as harmful to it, and therefore it tries to get rid of it. Although in reality, it is not. A person can be allergic to anything. It can be a certain kind of fabric, food, additives, colors, pollens, or even weather. 

Allergy, if mild, can be treated at home but, if left untreated, it can become a life-threatening condition. Some types of allergies can not be cured, but they are treated by taking antiallergic medications. Moreover, you must try your best to avoid expsoure to the allergen. Once you have a diagnosis of allergy from a certain allergen, you must avoid exposure to it. 

Symptoms 

The sign and symptoms of allergy may vary from person to person and causative agents. Sometimes, it may only involve your respiratory passage or sinuses. While other times may also involve your skin. They can be enlisted as follows.

Allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever, may cause;

• Itching 

• Sneezing 

• Red, watery and swollen eyes- also known as conjunctivitis

• Runny and stuffy nose

• Itching of the nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth

Food allergy may cause;

• Swelling of face or throat

• Tingling in the mouth

• Swelling of the lips and tongue

• Hives

• Anaphylaxis

An insect sting allergy may cause;

• Edema or swelling at the bite site

• Itching

• Urticaria- hives all over the body

• Cough

• Chest tightness

• Difficulty breathing 

• Wheezing 

• Anaphylaxis

A drug allergy may cause;

• Itchy skin

• Rash

• Facial swelling

• Hives

• Wheezing

• Anaphylaxis

The signs and symptoms of eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, are;

Red or brown skin that most usually attacks the hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, inside the bend of the elbows and knees, and in infants, the face and scalp

Itchiness of skin. 

• Small red bumps that may leak fluid upon stretching 

• Thickened, cracked, scaly skin

• Raw and sensitive skin 

• Swollen skin from scratching

Causes 

Allergy can occur due to anything like bee venom, pet danders, dust, or even food. Your body has a mechanism of producing antibodies- a protein substance that fights against foreign particles. During allergy, your body perceives anything, mostly harmless ones, as a foreign particle and starts to produce antibodies against them. Your body perceives the allergen as harmful for it and, therefore it tries to get rid of it. Although in reality, it may not be harmful to your body. A person can be allergic to anything. It can be a certain kind of fabric, food, additives, colors, pollens, or even weather. 

Triggers for allergy can be:

Airborne allergens- pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold

Certain foods- mostly peanuts, wheat, soy, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, and milk

Insect stings- honey bee

Medications- any certain kind 

Latex or other substances you touch, which can cause allergic skin reactions

Prevention 

Keep a diary and note every detail in it so that you can know about the trigger. Moreover, when you get to know about it, avoid eating or getting exposed to it. Keep antiallergic medications with yourself. Take them as soon as you feel the symptoms of allergy are coming. 

Conclusion 

Allergy is an over-response of your immune system. Sometimes, you can not prevent it. While sometimes, if the allergen is avoidable, you can avoid exposure to it. To treat allergy, the healthcare provider mostly prescribed anti allergy medications.