Everything you need to know about allergies

Allergies are conditions in which the body overreacts to an allergen and can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the trigger and severity of the allergy. For a detailed understanding of how to treat allergies, please refer to the article below.

Allergies are a common condition, caused by the immune system's reaction to a foreign substance (also called an allergen), these foreign substances are usually not harmful to the body, but the body reacts. overreact to it. These foreign substances are called allergens. They can include something like food, pollen, or pet dander...
Normally our immune system's job is to keep our bodies healthy by reacting to fight back. harmful pathogens. It does this by attacking anything it thinks might put your body in danger. Our immune system often adapts to the environment to respond appropriately, for example when your body encounters something like pet hair, the immune system will recognize that object. This is harmless. However, in people with allergies, the immune system perceives it as a foreign invader that threatens the body and attacks, causing allergy symptoms.
Depending on the allergen, an allergic reaction can include conjunctivitis, sneezing, or a variety of other symptoms.

The symptoms experienced by an allergy depend on many factors including the type of allergy and the severity of the allergy.
2.1 Signs of an allergy depending on the agent and the degree of allergy For food allergies A food allergy can happen after you eat foods that are at risk of causing allergies to you. Some possible signs include: Swelling, skin rash, nausea, fatigue... It can take a while for you to realize you have a food allergy, after eating. Allergic foods usually need to be at the 2nd time onwards to have mild to severe allergic manifestations. If you have a severe reaction after a meal and don't know why, you need to see a medical professional immediately so that you can know the exact cause of your allergy and avoid it in the future.
For seasonal allergies Allergic symptoms can appear in a certain season, because allergens only appear during that season. Hay fever, for example, can present symptoms similar to those of a cold. Symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, and swollen eyes.
For severe allergies Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening emergency that can lead to difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. If you experience these symptoms after coming into contact with a possible allergen, seek medical help immediately.
2.2 Some Symptoms of Allergies Allergies on the Skin
Skin allergies can be a symptom of allergies. They can also result from exposure to an allergen. Skin allergies can be caused by eating or drinking something that can cause an allergic reaction. And allergic contact dermatitis is caused by direct contact of that skin area with an allergen such as washing hands with soap, alcohol...
Types of skin allergies include:
Skin rash: Areas the skin is irritated, red, or swollen and may be accompanied by pain and itching. Eczema: Also known as atopic dermatitis, the symptom is the appearance of inflamed patches of skin that can itch and cause bleeding from scratching. Contact dermatitis: Red, itchy patches of skin that appear almost immediately after coming into contact with an allergen. Asthma or bronchial asthma
Asthma is a common inflammation of the airways and leads to airway constriction. It makes breathing more difficult and can cause narrowing of the airways in the lungs.
Asthma is closely related to allergies. Asthma is caused by an overreaction of the lining of the airways to a pathogen, which can make existing asthma worse. When allergies and asthma occur together it is called allergic asthma, or allergic asthma. According to estimates by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, allergic asthma affects about 60% of people with asthma in the United States. In addition, many people with allergies may also have asthma.
Allergic Rhinitis
When you have an allergy, you may experience symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose, and coughing. This can be caused by allergic rhinitis.
These signs can sometimes be confused with a common cold. However, the difference is that allergies can appear more manifestations on the skin, itchy eyes ... while the common cold can lead to body aches, even fever.
A possible problem makes these two conditions more likely. Allergies can affect the immune system in the long run, when the immune system is affected it can make you more likely to catch a virus, thereby increasing your risk of catching a cold.
Hay fever
Hay fever can cause symptoms including sneezing, persistent cough. It is the result of the body overreacting to allergens. Unlike the cough in chronic bronchitis, the cough caused by hay fever (due to allergies) is only temporary. You may only experience symptoms of this seasonal allergy at specific times of the year, especially spring.
Allergic bronchitis
Viruses or bacteria can cause bronchitis , or it can also be the result of allergies. In particular, acute bronchitis is often caused by microbial agents, especially viruses, which usually resolve after a few days or weeks. Chronic bronchitis, which can last for many months or even longer, and is also recurrent, is mainly caused by exposure to common allergens. Some allergens that cause allergies include: Tobacco smoke, air pollution, dust, pollen, chemical fumes. Unlike seasonal allergies, many allergens can persist in environments such as homes or offices. That can make chronic bronchitis more persistent and more likely to come back.
Allergies and babies
Skin allergies are more common in young children and it is trending more and more than in the past. However, skin allergies usually subside as the child gets older. Respiratory allergies and food conditions often become more common as children get older.
Common skin allergies in babies include:
Eczema: This is a condition that causes inflammation of the skin, an itchy rash on the skin. These itchy rashes may develop slowly but will be persistent. Allergic contact dermatitis: This type of skin allergy appears quickly, often shortly after the baby is exposed to the irritant. Contact dermatitis is often more severe than eczema which can develop into painful blisters and cause skin cracking. Urticaria: A condition in which raised papules appear on the surface of the skin after eating or after coming into contact with an allergen. They will not scab and crack, which usually goes away after a while, but is often accompanied by intense itching.

Researchers do not pinpoint the exact reason why the immune system triggers an excessive allergic response when a normally harmless foreign substance enters the body. Allergies are related to genetic factors. However, only general susceptibility to allergic reactions is inherited, not specific pathogens. For example, if your mother is allergic to shellfish, it does not necessarily mean that you will also be allergic to shellfish, but possibly to other plants.
Although it is not clear exactly why your body reacts strongly to certain agents. But some common types of allergens are found including:
Animal products: Includes animal hair, waste of dust mites and cockroaches, animal meat. Drugs: The most common are penicillin and sulfa drugs, other drugs can also cause allergies. Food: Allergies to wheat, nuts, dairy, shellfish, and eggs are more common. Insect stings: Usually the venom of insects, including bees, wasps, and mosquitoes. The airborne spores of mold can cause a reaction. Trees: Pollen from weeds and trees, and resins from plants such as poison ivy and poison oak, are very common plant allergens. Other less common allergens: Latex, commonly found in gloves and condoms, metals like nickel are also common allergens. In addition, other agents can also cause allergies to you. So keep an eye out to see which triggers are at risk for allergies.

When you notice signs of a suspected allergic reaction, your doctor will usually ask carefully about your symptoms, history of exposure to substances at risk of allergies. Then, to determine if blood tests and skin tests can be done to confirm or diagnose the allergens the doctor suspects:
Allergy blood tests Blood tests are used to look for the presence of allergens. presence of allergenic antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These are cells that react to potentially allergenic substances. Your doctor will use this blood test to confirm a diagnosis of allergies and to worry about the risk of a serious allergic reaction.
Skin test Also known as allergy test. Skin testing is a common type of allergy test performed by an allergist.
In the process of doing this, your skin may be pricked or scratched with a fine needle containing a potential allergen. Skin reactions are recorded after exposure to the allergen. If you are allergic to a specific substance, your skin will become red and inflamed. Different tests may be needed to diagnose all other potential allergies.

The best way to avoid an allergy is to stay away from whatever is causing the reaction, but this is difficult to do, as many people don't know exactly what triggers the allergy. If it is not possible to avoid it, then choose treatment options such as:
Medication
Allergy treatment often includes medications such as antihistamines to control allergy symptoms. Medicines may be over-the-counter, others may be used depending on the severity of the allergy, including:
Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec) , loratadine (Claritin): This is the basic treatment for allergies. Corticosteroids: Medrol, prednisolone...Used when the allergy is severe or cannot be controlled with conventional antihistamines. Decongestants (Afrin, Suphedrine PE, Sudafed). Used in case of allergies causing rhinitis, stuffy nose. Singulair: This medicine should only be prescribed if no other appropriate treatment options are available. This is because it increases the risk of serious behavioral and mood changes, such as suicidal thoughts and possibly actions. Immunotherapy: Many people choose immunotherapy to treat allergies. This involves multiple injections over several years to help your body get used to your allergy. Immunotherapy, if successful, can prevent allergy symptoms from returning. Emergency treatment
If you have a severe allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis that will be life-threatening, it should be treated with an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline). The injection helps to stop the constriction of the airways. Some allergic reactions are a medical emergency, so medications to treat the condition are often available and have specific instructions. However, to be successful, you need to act quickly and it is important to detect early.
Natural remedies for allergies
Many natural remedies and supplements are marketed as a treatment and even a way to prevent allergies. However, you should consult your doctor before taking it, because some natural treatments can contain allergens and make symptoms worse.

There is no way to prevent allergies, because the cause is unknown. However, you can take steps to prevent allergy symptoms from occurring. The best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to avoid allergens such as avoiding foods that cause you to be allergic or exposed to other triggers.
Clean the air in your home or workplace, as the air can contain allergens. To be able to know the exact allergens you can perform a skin test, thereby avoiding them easier.

Most allergies are mild, but it's not always what you think allergies are just causing itching and sneezing...
Some severe allergies can be life-threatening. and affect quality of life:
Anaphylaxis: Causes a sudden narrowing of the airway, increased heart rate, swelling of the tongue and mouth...this is life-threatening. Itching and discomfort: Continuous allergies on the skin can cause uncomfortable itching, affecting aesthetics because it causes darkening and scarring on the skin. Allergic rhinitis can increase the risk of chronic sinusitis, otitis media in children ... Allergies are common and most often do not pose a danger to sufferers, but it can cause reactions. severe, life-threatening reactions. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid the use of substances with a high risk of causing allergies. The best remedy for allergies is to stay away from the allergen and recognize the early signs of the disease for the most appropriate treatment.

Reference source: healthline.com