How to find the best treatment for allergies?

An allergy is a condition where the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. This allergy can be caused by pollen, pet dander or bee venom, food, and can even be caused by medicines. Your immune system generates a substance called antibodies. When you get an allergy, your immune system makes an antibody that helps in identifying a particular allergen (foreign substance) as harmful even when it is not. When this allergen comes in contact with you, your immune system’s reaction can cause sinuses and can inflame your skin, itchiness, airway, or digestive system.

The severity of allergies may, however, differ from person to person and may range from minor irritation and discomfort to major anaphylaxis (a life-threatening emergency). However, most allergies are incurable but yes allergies treatment can help in relieving the symptoms. 

What are the symptoms of allergy?

The symptoms of allergy may depend on the substance involved. They can affect your airways, nasal passage and sinuses, digestive system, and skin. This allergy reaction can range from minor irritation and discomfort to a major life-threatening emergency known as anaphylaxis. The following are the symptoms that are caused by a different type of allergy. They are as follows:

Allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever: 

This type of allergy can cause the following:

• Runny and stuffy nose

• Sneezing

• Itchiness of the eyes, nose, and roof of the mouth

• Conjunctivitis (Watery, red or swollen eyes)

A food allergy:

 This type of allergy can cause the following:

• Hives

• Tingling in the mouth

• Anaphylaxis

• Swelling at the face, tongue, lips, or throat

An insect sting allergy: 

This type of allergy can cause the followings:

• Hives or itching of the whole body

• Anaphylaxis

• Edema (a large area of swelling) at the sting area

• Chest tightness, cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath

A drug allergy:

 This type of allergy can cause the followings:

• Rash

• Hives

• Anaphylaxis

• Itchy skin

• Wheezing

• Facial swelling

Atopic dermatitis allergy:

 Atopic dermatitis is also known as eczema. This allergy can cause the followings:

• Itchy skin

• Redden the skin

• Peel or flake the skin

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a type of major life-threatening condition that is caused due to food allergies and insect stings. This anaphylaxis can make you go into shock. The symptoms and signs of anaphylaxis are as follows:

• A drop in blood pressure

• Skin rash

• Loss of consciousness

• A rapid, weak pulse

• Severe shortness of breath

• Nausea and vomiting

• Lightheadedness

What causes an allergy?

An allergy occurs when your immune system reacts abnormally to a normally harmless substance or foreign substance for a dangerous invader. So, your immune system produces antibodies that stay alert for particular allergen substances.  When you get exposed to an allergen, these antibodies will release several chemicals such as histamine that causes the symptoms of allergy.

Some of the common allergy triggers are as follows:

Airborne allergens: This type of allergy is caused by pollen, dust mites, mold, and animal dander

Certain food: This type of allergy is caused by particular tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, fish, soy, shellfish, egg, and milk

Insect sting: This type of allergy is caused by a bee or wasp

Medicines: Penicillin based antibiotics are the main culprit for this type of allergy

Latex and other substances: This type of allergy is caused when you touch latex or other substances. This will cause you an allergic skin reaction.

So, when should you see a doctor?

You should consult a doctor if you think you have a symptom related to an allergy. However, using non-prescribed allergy medications does not provide enough relief and ease. So, the best is to consult a doctor so that they can help in prescribing allergy medicines.

But if you have anaphylaxis, a very severe allergic reaction11, then you may make a call to 911 right away.  You can also call your local emergency number and seek emergency medical help. You can also use epinephrine auto-injector such as Auvi-Q, Epipen, and others to give yourself a shot right away. This will help you at some point in relieving those irritations due to allergies. 

However, if your symptoms improve even after giving yourself an epinephrine auto-injector then you might need to visit the emergency room or department. There you can make sure that the symptoms of allergy do not return even after the effects of the injection wear off.

However, if you had any severe symptoms or signs of an allergy attack or anaphylaxis in the past, then you may make an appointment to see a doctor. There may be complications in the evaluation, diagnosis, and long-term management of anaphylaxis. So, see a provider who specializes in immunology and allergies.

What are the risk factors of allergy?

The risk factors of an allergy are as follows:

• You are more likely to develop an allergy if you have a family history of allergies or asthma such as hives or eczema, and hay fever.

• Being a child is also one risk factor that can develop an allergy.