Allergies are caused by overreacting immune systems to typically harmless substances. An allergy can manifest itself with itchy eyes and watery discharge, runny nose, sneezing and coughing symptoms.
Take measures to limit exposure to allergens can help. Steps such as covering pillows, mattresses and box springs in dust mite-proof covers as well as washing bedding often may help.
Know Your Triggers
Allergies are caused by allergens entering the body through breathing or skin contact, prompting its immune system to overreact and produce symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. Allergic reactions vary among individuals; some reactions can be more intense than others.
Allergens can include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, insect stings and certain medications. If you suffer from allergies, identifying and avoiding your triggers are critical to managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
Seasonal allergies, commonly referred to as “hay fever,” are generally caused by exposure to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds; typically seen during spring and fall seasons. Food allergies can also trigger reactions; peanuts, eggs, dairy products, shellfish and wheat can trigger reactions that range from digestive distress to anaphylaxis; which could have serious repercussions for health.
Drug allergies may be caused by over-the-counter or prescription medicines, including antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays or eye drops. If you experience severe reactions that do not respond to over-the-counter remedies or don’t respond at all to over-the-counter treatments such as antihistamines or decongestants, healthcare professionals may recommend stronger corticosteroids or immunotherapy (allergy injections) treatments; gradually desensitizing your immune system to allergens reduce symptoms over time and bring relief over time.
Stay Away From Triggers
If you or a member of your family suffers from allergies, it’s essential to take measures to identify and avoid triggers. This may mean only eating food known to be safe, even if mild symptoms develop on first encountering. Even minor exposure to food allergy proteins could trigger serious reactions in some individuals.
Avoiding allergens can help alleviate or prevent symptoms associated with allergies, including sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes and hives. Allergens come in various forms – airborne particles like pollen and pet dander can trigger itchy reactions while other allergens include chemicals found in cigarettes smoke and chemical fumes as well as some perfumes; or substances applied directly onto skin like poison ivy, oak and sumac are just some examples.
Journaling can help you pinpoint triggers, making staying away easier and aiding healthcare providers with treating or managing allergies more effectively.
Allergies can affect any part of the body, though they most commonly manifest themselves in the respiratory tract, stomach/intestines and skin. Severe reactions like breathing difficulties or sudden drops in blood pressure (anaphylaxis) can be life-threatening; to protect yourself it’s wise to carry fast-acting medication like epinephrine with you at all times and be familiar with its signs and symptoms if an emergency arises. Also make sure you inform friends/family of any allergies so they too can prepare accordingly should an unexpected emergency occurs.
Keep a Journal or Diary
Keep a food allergy diary or journal to identify specific foods that cause symptoms. Your goal should be to record what and when you eat as well as any adverse reactions such as bloating, itching or constipation that occur afterward. Be as detailed as possible with regard to caffeinated beverages, juices and alcohol; reviewing it regularly will provide valuable insights for both yourself and your doctor; for instance noticing when symptoms flare up at certain times may indicate seasonal allergies; similarly if your symptoms worsen immediately after eating something it could indicate the presence of an allergen or allergen.
An allergy diary helps both you and your doctor quickly diagnose what’s causing an allergy problem, while also serving to identify nutritional gaps in your diet – for instance if only small amounts of dairy or fish protein is consumed daily while your diet otherwise includes processed food rich in nutrient deficiencies.
Downloading mySymptoms Food Diary on your smartphone is an effective way to track symptoms. This app enables you to enter in meal and snack details as well as record any associated allergic symptoms, and even provides insights into which nutrients your body is receiving, any deficiencies present, as well as how much of each vitamin or mineral has been taken in.
See Your Healthcare Provider
Many people with allergies opt not to seek medical care if their symptoms are mild, however if their allergy interferes with daily activities or decrease quality of life it may be time to see a physician.
Allergies are a condition in which the immune system overreacts to substances known as allergens. When an allergen enters the body, it can be mistaken for harmful germs or viruses and the immune system attempts to fight back by attacking. This causes unpleasant and sometimes life-threatening symptoms like sneezing, itching, swelling and breathing difficulties – but symptoms don’t need to be life-threatening for this condition to exist.
Many individuals in the past attempted to address allergy symptoms by simply avoiding triggers or taking over-the-counter medicines; however, this approach may not always be successful and can even cause more health problems in the long run.
Bring a list of symptoms and when they occur to help your healthcare provider pinpoint the source of an allergy. At your appointment, your physician will ask questions to get an in-depth view of your medical history and triggers, perform allergy testing to identify allergens causing symptoms, recommend treatment options (immunotherapy shots may help) as well as resources or support groups – in all likelihood your healthcare provider can offer invaluable assistance!
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