Allergies have the potential to impact every member of a household, causing constant discomfort, the need to avoid allergens and disrupted sleep that can take an emotional and physical toll.
Allergies are caused by proteins that your immune system misinterprets as threats, including tree pollen in springtime, pet dander and bug venom.
Identify Your Triggers
Allergies arise when your immune system attacks substances that should normally be harmless – allergens – which fall into three distinct categories, inhale, touch and ingest. They can trigger symptoms including itchy eyes and runny nose; sneezing; wheezing; or even a rash – so understanding which triggers cause them can help minimize allergic reactions and enhance quality of life.
Allergens that can be inhaled include pollen, mold spores, pet dander and dust mites; this combination can trigger seasonal allergies known as “hay fever”, leading to symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes and runny/stuffy noses. Other inhalable allergens include cigarette smoke or chemical irritants found in household cleaners or paints. Touched-based allergens like latex can lead to skin rashes or itching; foods can trigger various symptoms ranging from mild hives up to severe reactions called anaphylaxis [anna-fih-LACK-is].
One way to identify allergy triggers is keeping a symptom diary. This will enable you to record when and where symptoms occur as well as any additional pertinent data. Try being as specific as possible in your journal entries; note whether more or fewer reactions occurred around certain types of food (as some individuals can be sensitive to dairy while experiencing an allergic response from peanuts), for instance.
Educate Yourself
Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to substances it perceives as harmful, even though they’re often harmless. They can be caused by any number of things ranging from pollen and dust mites, animal dander, peanuts and shellfish foods (along with insect stings), to certain foods (like peanuts and shellfish) and insect stings – symptoms can range from mild (like itchy eyes and runny nose) to severe reactions like trouble breathing and hives).
Educing yourself about allergies is crucial if you want to successfully navigate everyday life and avoid triggers. Furthermore, knowing when a reaction occurs and when to seek medical assistance can save lives.
An food allergy can be stressful at any age or stage of life – from parents navigating preschools and childcare settings, K-12 schools, colleges and workplaces for their child; to teenagers dating, traveling and dealing with adult responsibilities for themselves. And finally, for adults managing allergen exposure while living a healthier life.
Avoiding allergy triggers and keeping medications handy are among the best ways to combat allergy symptoms, and can reduce their chance of occurring altogether. Antihistamines and epinephrine injectors may also help alleviate your symptoms and keep them under control.
Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Referring yourself to an allergy specialist is usually the best way to identify and treat allergies, but speaking to your primary healthcare provider first can also help determine whether your symptoms might be related.
Allergies occur when your immune system misidentifies a harmless substance like pollen or dust mites as being dangerous, producing antibodies in response. This causes symptoms like watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, rash or difficulty breathing that are unpleasant or potentially life-threatening.
Once diagnosed with allergies, healthcare professionals will assist in creating a treatment plan to keep you safe and reduce symptoms. This may involve avoiding allergens altogether, taking medicines to help calm the immune system or immunotherapy treatments that train it not to overreact as much.
Do not be intimidated into silence about any questions or worries related to living with allergies. Your inquiries do not have to be medical in nature – perhaps you need advice on navigating school cafeteria food or what should happen if someone else takes care of your child while you’re not around.
Be Prepared
Allergy symptoms like itchy eyes or runny nose can be annoying, but ignoring them is risky if ignored – leading to more serious reactions such as asthma attacks or anaphylaxis. Speak to your allergist about ways you can minimize allergy symptoms.
All food allergy sufferers should create and implement an Emergency Care Plan (ECP), including carrying an auto-injector at all times, in case an allergic reaction should arise. An ECP should include an in-depth diagnosis, strategies to identify triggers in unlikely places and instructions on how to administer auto-injector therapy should a severe reaction occur. Furthermore, make sure friends and family know of your allergies so they can assist in keeping you safe.
Be especially wary when dining out or visiting friends’ homes that contain pets you are allergic to; pet dander and other allergens can stick to clothing and food, triggering allergic reactions in some. If an allergic reaction does occur while visiting, wash all your clothes as soon as possible to ensure a swift recovery from it.
If you live with someone with food allergies, it is essential that they learn how to prepare meals safely at home. Some families opt to avoid bringing allergen-containing foods into the home; other families prepare dishes without allergens first and use separate cooking utensils; always be sure to wash pans and utensils thoroughly with hot, sudsy water before using them to prepare food for someone with an allergy.
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