You’ve had reactions, both mild and/or severe, and you know that allergies can be an absolute pain to deal with. You know that allergies can mean the difference between a great day and a horrible day. Millions of Americans, like you, suffer from allergic reactions year-round.
What causes allergies
The human immune system is well equipped to tackle some of the most invasive diseases and viruses. It is also known to go a bit overboard on some things that are not as harmful. When our body detects these objects, known as allergens, it will begin to produce antibodies to defend itself which is what causes allergic reactions.
At certain times of the year, spring and fall, for example, our allergies can flare up more than usual due to the effect of the weather on various allergens such as pollen, ragweed, etc.
So what are my allergies
Depending on your allergen profile and living situation, you could be dealing with any number of allergies including:
- Food – Peanuts and other tree nuts, dairy, shellfish, and certain fruits are among the more common allergens.
- Animal and pet dander – Common with those who suffer from asthma, this allergy is the result of coming into contact with the proteins found in an animal’s skin cells, saliva, and/or urine.
- Insects – The venom found in the stings of bees, wasps, hornets, and other stinging creatures can cause life-threatening allergy symptoms.
- Mold and ragweed – The spores found in these common allergens are widely known to cause flare-ups, especially during the changing of seasons.
- Medications – Although certain medications can put you at more risk than others, any medication — over-the-counter, prescription, or herbal — is capable of inducing an allergic response.
What does an allergic reaction look like
An allergic reaction can occur at any point in or on the body, but it usually occurs in places where the immune system is better equipped to fight off infection: the stomach lining, sinuses, throat, and skin. Common reactions include:
- Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever) - A diagnosis associated with a group of symptoms affecting the nose, these symptoms occur when you breathe in something you are allergic to, such as dust, animal dander, or pollen.
- Asthma - Asthma symptoms occur when airway muscle spasms block the flow of air to the lungs and/or the linings of the bronchial tubes become inflamed. Excess mucus may clog the airways. Asthma may cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, cough, and wheezing.
- Hives/Skin rashes – A common skin rash triggered by many allergens and physiological conditions, symptoms of hives/rashes include itchy, raised, red, or skin-colored welts on the skin's surface. Often the reaction may take hours or days to develop, as in the case of poison ivy.
Anaphylaxis is a rare, potentially fatal allergic reaction that affects many parts of the body at the same time. Symptoms could include a combination of vomiting or diarrhea, a dangerous drop in blood pressure, redness of the skin and/or hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat and/or tongue, and/or loss of consciousness. At the first sign of an anaphylactic reaction, the affected person must go immediately to the closest Emergency Room or call 911.
Big thanks to Dr. Schneider for his participation in creating awareness of CSU and encouraging potential patients to see an allergist!
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