What is an Allergy?
Allergies occur when the immune system creates antibodies to attack substances that are not harmful to most people. When this occurs, your immune system overreacts and releases histamines, causing an allergic reaction to particular allergens, such as dust, pet dander, pollen, insects, ticks, foods, and some medicines.
“In India, food allergies have been found to cause approx. 30,000 emergency cases, 100 to 200 deaths/year and up to 3 million cases have been reported from peanut allergy alone.”
What are the common symptoms of allergies?
Common symptoms differentiate depending on the type of allergy. You may experience different, and sometimes multiple, like –
- Food Allergy
- Insect Allergy
- Drug-related Allergy
- Environmental Allergy
Food Allergy –
A food allergy develops when the body’s immune system sees a certain food as harmful and reacts by causing symptoms. This is an allergic reaction. Foods that cause allergic reactions are allergens.
What are the Symptoms of Food Allergy?
The most common food allergy signs and symptoms include:
- Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
- Hives, itching or eczema
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat or other parts of the body
- Tingling or itching in the mouth
- Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
Insect Allergy –
Mosquitoes, bedbugs, kissing bugs, fleas and certain flies are the most common biting insects known to cause an insect allergic reaction.
What are the Symptoms of Insect Allergy?
The most common insect allergy signs and symptoms include:
- Pain
- Redness
- Massive swelling on the area where bitten or stung (in the area of sting and sometimes beyond)
- Flushing
- Hives
- Itching
- Anaphylaxis (less common), a potentially life-threatening reaction that may impair breathing and can cause the body to go into shock
Drug-related Allergy –
A drug-related allergy is an allergic reaction to a medication.
If you have occurs a rash, hives or breathing problem after taking certain medications, you may have a drug allergy.
What are the Symptoms of Drug-related Allergy?
The most common drug allergy signs and symptoms include:
- Fever
- Swelling
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Skin rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Runny nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
Environmental Allergy –
Environmental allergies occur when your body’s immune system overreacts to a substance in the environment(contact within your surroundings), such as dust mites, tree, grass weed pollens, pet dander or mold.
What are the Symptoms of Environmental Allergy?
The most common Environmental Allergy signs and symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Itching
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Runny nose
If you want to recover your allergy problem then first you have to diagnose your allergy types from the allergy blood test. And then consult with your doctor.
Hello. This article was extremely interesting, especially because I was browsing for thoughts on this topic last Wednesday.
Hi, Thanks for sharing valuable information through your blog. As once I was suffering from many allergic symptoms, I gave great concern and importance in going through these blogs. I have suffered through frequent itching and severe headache during my allergic period. I have undergone allergic testing in FML and could diagnose and get proper treatment for my health.