|
Allergy is one of the most common problems faced by people of all ages around the world. They are due to abnormal immune system reactions that may be very much harmless to most people. Allergens are the substances like certain food, dust, pollen, and medicines etc that cause allergic reactions.
Allergic to something means as saying that the particular substance is harmful to your body. To protect your body, the immune system produces IgE antibodies to that allergen which then cause certain cells in the body to release chemicals into the bloodstream like histamine. Histamine acts on the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, or gastrointestinal tract and causes the symptoms of the allergic reaction. So next time you are exposed to that same allergen it will trigger this antibody response.
Allergic Reactions:
If you frequently have a runny nose that means you have allergy, sometimes it can be severe which could even lead to difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat or other parts of the body, and dizziness or loss of consciousness. This reaction is called anaphylaxis. Asthma attack most of the times, is due to allergic reaction to dust or anything. In some reactions anaphylaxis can occur minutes after you are exposed to the substance. The good thing is they can be cured if you take proper medical treatment.
Those having allergies in the family have high chances of having the same. It is often hereditary, which means it can be passed down to your children. But it is not necessary that just because your parents or your siblings have it, you would have it too.
Allergens:
There are various allergens but the most common ones include:
• Foods: Infants have more chances of having food allergy but as they grow older it may fade away. If you get rashes, diarrhea or stuffy nose when you eat a particular food chances are that you may be allergic to that food. The most common foods that people are allergic to are milk and dairy products, peanuts, seafood and eggs.
• Airborne particles: They are very common allergens. Many people are allergic to dust mites, animal dander and pollens which are airborne particles. They are also called environmental allergens.
• Bites and stings by insects: When an insect bite many people are allergic to the venom. Sometimes these allergies can be severe and cause anaphylactic reaction in some people.
• Chemicals: Some people when they use cosmetics or detergents may get allergy. This is because they may have a reaction to the chemicals used ion that product. Even pesticides and dyes can cause allergic reactions in some people.
• Medicines: Antibiotics are the most common types of medicines causing allergy. Other medicines may include over-the-counter medications.
Avoidance:
The most important thing that you should do is avoid exposing yourself to that particular allergen you are allergic to avoid complications especially food. For example if you are allergic to seafood it is better to do without it than suffer later. Unlike other allergies which can be treated with medications or shots, there is no way to treat food allergy. Keep in mind that avoiding exposure to an allergen is good enough to control allergy and you may not even have to take medicines or treatments.
If you think that you have an allergy the first thing you should do is to see an allergist for testing. This way you would know for sure whether or not you have it. |
