What You Should Know About Allergy Symptoms and Prevention

Allergy Symptoms come in different forms – sneezing, itchy hives or watery eyes. If you have allergies, you are not alone. In the USA alone, 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children suffer from one form of allergies or another. Although your issue may appear to begin from the eyes or nose, allergy symptoms are actually caused by irregularities of the immune system.

This article focuses on the symptoms and prevention of allergies. This will help you understand the reason behind these reactions, help you keep things in check and stay healthy.

Causes of allergic reactions

You may wonder why some people experience bad allergy symptoms and others do not. Experts may not be able to explain all the facts, but they all agree that family history contributes a lot. Common allergens include:

• Bee stings
• Animal Dander
• Dust Mites
• Mold
• Plants and pollens
• Foods – especially peanuts, fish, milk, egg, wheat, tree nuts and shellfish.
• Some medications such as penicillin

Common types of allergies and their symptoms

The symptoms of allergies vary from mild and irritating to severe or sometimes life-threatening. The symptoms depend on how your body reacts and the amount of allergen your body was exposed to.

Food allergies

Your mouth may feel prickly. Your lips, throat or face might become swollen. Hives may occur. In severe situations, you may suffer anaphylaxis and may require immediate medical attention.

Hay fever

Also called allergic rhinitis, this allergy could cause a runny or stuffy nose; excessive sneezing; itchy nose, eyes, or oral palate; and red, inflamed, watery eyes. This eye condition called allergic conjunctivitis.

Eczema

Often called atopic dermatitis, eczema is a skin condition. Although not all cases of eczema are a result of allergies, the disease may flare up when you are exposed to allergens. Your body’s immune system reacts excessively to elements called allergens, which are not always harmful. Your skin may turn red, itch, peel or flake.

Stings

If you are allergic to insect stings like bees, you may experience edema (large swelling) at the point of sting, hives or itching, breath shortness, cough, wheezing or chest constriction. Like some other cases of allergies, severe allergic reactions could cause anaphylaxis.

Medications

If you are allergic to a particular medication, you may suffer rashes, swollen face or hives. You may wheeze repeatedly, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis may set in.

Getting relief and preventing allergic reactions

• Treatment options are available for mild to moderate allergic reactions. Decongestants, antihistamines and nasal sprays are effective against specific symptoms
• If allergens trigger asthmatic fits, the physician might recommend using inhalers to alleviate attacks. Otherwise, he or she might give you a special antibody injection to reduce the symptoms
• If avoiding allergens and using your regular medications is not effective for preventing reactions, your physician may recommend getting allergy shots. This treatment is known as immunotherapy and beneficial for preventing hay fever and allergic asthma
• Another form of immunotherapy entails using tablets that dissolve under the tongue
• For sinus symptoms, using over-the-counter drugs may alleviate your reactions

Request an appointment here: https://campmedicine.org or call Center for Adult Medicine and Preventive Care at (973) 859-9165 for an appointment in our Passaic office.

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