Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to substances that would typically not impact you – allergens include pollen, pet dander and food allergies such as gluten.
Living with allergies can be challenging. From runny nose and itchy eyes, to food allergies leading to serious symptoms including anaphylaxis.
Symptoms
Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to harmless substances like pollen grains and pet dander, leading to an allergic response ranging from mild to life-threatening, including hives or anaphylaxis.
Allergies can cause symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, skin rash and wheezing in people of all ages and races – the most prevalent chronic health condition worldwide. They can be caused by any number of substances such as mold spores, pet dander, tree and grass pollen, dust mites, medications, foods or parasites; but are most frequently triggered by mold spores, pet dander.
Most children first develop allergy symptoms during their formative years. While most allergies usually go away by adulthood, some – particularly food allergies – can persist throughout an individual’s lifetime.
If you suffer from allergies, it’s essential that you keep a log of your symptoms, including when and what appears to cause them. This will allow both yourself and your healthcare provider to identify the most suitable course of treatment. Furthermore, inform family, friends, and coworkers about them so they don’t bring in food or medications which might exacerbate symptoms further. It can be useful to wear a medical ID bracelet which indicates your allergies so emergency responders can quickly identify and treat an allergic reaction should one arise.
Triggers
Allergies occur when your immune system reacts excessively to a substance usually harmless, like pollen grains, animal dander or certain foods. Your body mistakes this harmless substance for a harmful germ or virus and produces antibodies in an attempt to rid itself of it – often leading to runny nose, itchy eyes and skin swelling that symptoms allergy sufferers know all too well. Severe reactions may even include difficulty breathing, decreased blood pressure or even shock!
Many things can trigger allergies, including air pollutants, cigarette smoke, mold growth and certain medications. If you don’t know the cause of your allergies, ask your doctor for allergy tests; keeping a diary with symptoms that help or worsen can also be useful in keeping track of things that seem helpful or harmful; your physician may prescribe over-the-counter or prescription allergy medicines along with an epinephrine autoinjector to treat severe reactions as needed.
Allergies can prevent you from engaging in activities, leading to fatigue and depression. Severe allergies may even adversely impact work or school performance – for instance, seasonal allergy sufferers may need to stay indoors during pollen season, which limits their opportunities for exercise, socializing and outdoor activities; those with food allergies might avoid attending social gatherings where potential allergens might surface, leading to reduced socialization and greater feelings of isolation.
Treatment
Allergies can wreak havoc on everyday life, but there are numerous treatment options available. Your healthcare provider can assist in identifying triggers and developing an action plan to mitigate symptoms.
Traditional allergy treatments typically consist of over-the-counter and prescription medications. Over-the-counter options may include antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroid creams and sprays while prescription options might include stronger antihistamines or steroid medicines. If those don’t help manage your symptoms effectively, your doctor might suggest immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops) which helps build tolerance against allergens to decrease symptoms over time.
Skin and blood tests can help identify what you’re allergic to. A healthcare provider will prick the surface of your skin with tiny amounts of potential allergens to see how you react, while blood tests look for IgE antibodies against specific allergens.
Some patients suffer from what’s known as “atopic march,” a general progression of allergies beginning early on in life. Infants who develop eczema typically progress into food allergies, seasonal allergies and asthma later. Patel refers to this “syndrome” that begins during infancy and continues throughout life making chronic diseases like asthma and allergies more likely. FARE offers resources that can assist with managing allergies through all stages of life from preschools and childcare settings through schools K-12 and beyond, college dating sites and work environments safely.
Prevention
Allergies are a common condition, often resulting in itchy or watery eyes, sneezing and runny noses. More serious symptoms may include stomach cramps and nausea as well as breathing difficulty; symptoms can often be controlled with over-the-counter medicines, allergy shots or prescription medicines.
Allergies, an overreaction of your immune system, can severely disrupt daily life. They may lead to fatigue due to disrupted sleep or symptoms which hinder work or school performance; additionally they can create feelings of stress and anxiety in social settings that interfere with performance.
Avoid allergens like pollen, pet dander, mold spores and medicines to reduce allergic reactions. Stay indoors during high-pollen days; install air filters in your home; wash sheets weekly; use antihistamines and nasal sprays when symptoms such as runny nose or itchy eyes arise;
Allergies can strike at any age, though they’re more likely to strike when both parents have allergies. Some allergies may become less severe as children grow up; others may go away altogether. Some children may experience the “atopic march,” a general progression of allergies from early childhood atopic dermatitis (eczema) through food, environmental, rhinitis or asthma later.
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