Allergies - Symptoms, Reactions, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Creator: Dr. Shikha Sharma
Published: 2023-02-14T18:08:19

4 min read

16

Share

Verified data

16

4 min read

Share

Allergies are abnormal immune system reactions and produce a chemical called histamine that acts on the eyes, nose, skin, throat, and lungs. Read to know more.

Written by

Dr. Shikha Sharma

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Rajesh Jain

February 14, 2023

August 2, 2023

Contents

Share

Contents

What Are Allergies?
What Are the Symptoms of Allergies?
What Are Some Common Allergens?
What Are the Causes of Allergies?
What Is an Allergic Reaction?
Which of the Areas of the Body May Get Affected?
What Is the Prevalence of Allergy?
How to Diagnose Allergy?

Introduction

Allergy is an exaggerated reaction toward exposure to foreign substances by the immune system. The substances that produce allergies are called allergens. Examples are pollen, dust mites, molds, animal proteins, foods, and medications. People who are prone to allergies are called atopic or allergic. Symptoms of allergy depend upon the type of allergens that comes in contact. Sneezing, runny nose, congestion, itchy eyes, nose, throat, and tearing eyes are a few symptoms of allergies.

What Are Allergies?

Allergy is the body's reaction to foreign substances such as pet dander, pollen, and bee venom. The immune system produces substances called antibodies in response to these allergens. In the case of allergies, the immune system produces antibodies against the allergens.

What Are the Symptoms of Allergies?

The symptoms of allergies depend on the severity of reactions in the immune system. The various symptoms of allergy are as follows:

Sneezing.
Itching of the nose, the roof of the mouth, and the eyes.
Runny and stuffy nose.
Watery swollen, red eyes.
Tingling in the mouth.
Hives (refers to an itchy rash on the body).
Anaphylaxis (refers to severe life-threatening allergic reactions).
Swelling of tongue, lips, and face.
Wheezing (refers to high-pitched whistling sounds made while breathing).
Cough.
Chest tightness.
Skin rash.
Lightheadedness.
Rapid, weak pulse.
Loss of consciousness.
Drop in blood pressure.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Diarrhea (refers to a watery loose stool that occurs more than two times).
Stomach cramp.
Restlessness.
Malaise or feeling unwell.
Eczema (refers to dry, itchy skin and rashes).
Running nose.

What Are Some Common Allergens?

Some of the common allergens are as follows:

Fish.
Milk.
Peanut.
Animal dander.
Wheat.
Soy.
Shellfish.
Pet fur, skin flakes, and animal saliva.
Mold and mildew.
Insects bite and sting.
Cockroaches, caddisflies, moths, and midges.
Plant pollen.
Household chemicals.
Metals such as cobalt, nickel, chromium, and zinc.
Latex.

What Are the Causes of Allergies?

Harmful substances trigger an allergy through the immune system. The immune system produces antibodies against toxic substances. The common allergy triggers are as follows:

Airborne Allergens: Such as animal dander, dust mites, pollen, and mold spores.

Certain Foods: Include peanuts, shellfish, tea nuts, fish, wheat, eggs, and milk.

Insect Stings: Such as wasps or bees.

Medications: Such as penicillin-based medications.

Latex: Can cause skin allergic reactions.

What Is an Allergic Reaction?

Allergic reaction is the way the body responds to allergens. Whenever the person comes in contact with the allergens, the body responds by producing allergic (IgE) antibodies. As a result, a chemical is released known as histamine that causes symptoms of allergy.

Which of the Areas of the Body May Get Affected?

People experience symptoms depending on the contact with allergens that involve different body parts.

Eyes, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses: When allergens are breathed, the release of histamine occurs, which causes the linings of the nose to form more mucous and become inflamed and swallowed. It causes the nose to itch and sneeze. The throat may become sore, and the eyes start to water.

Lungs and Chest: Allergic reactions can trigger asthma. When the allergen comes in contact with the lining of the passage, the lung swells, and it becomes difficult to breathe.

Stomach and Bowel: Food that usually causes allergies are seafood, dairy food, peanuts, and eggs. Cow milk allergy is common in infants and can cause eczema (refers to dry, itchy skin and rashes), stomach upset, and asthma.

Skin: Problems are usually triggered by allergies such as eczema (dry, itchy skin and rashes).

What Is the Prevalence of Allergy?

Approximately 10 to 30 percent of an individual in the world are affected by allergies. The prevalence of allergy has drastically increased over the period of two years.

Who Is at Risk of Allergies?

Allergies can develop at any age and time of life. Food allergies are the most common allergies in infants.
Sensitization, or the initial exposure period of allergy, can begin even before birth.
Allergies can outgrow an individual over a period of time.
Genetics or family history plays a major role as there is a high risk of developing allergies from parent to child.
A child born through cesarean section is more prone to develop allergies.
Exposure to air pollution and smoking increases the risk of allergy.

How to Diagnose Allergy?

The allergy can be diagnosed by the symptoms and family history. The allergy tests which can be done are as follows:

Blood Test: Measures the levels of IgE antibodies which are specific to certain allergens in the immune system.

Skin Prick Test: A prick is made on the skin surface that contains allergens. If the skin reacts and becomes red, itchy, or swollen indicates the presence of allergens.

Patch Test: It is done to check for the presence of eczema (refers to dry, itchy skin and rashes) using the metal disc with a small amount of allergen. Skin reaction is checked after 48 hours of the patch test.

What Are the Preventive Measures for Allergies?

Effective preventive measures for allergy include the medications such as:

Antihistamines: Tends to block the chemical called histamine that is released from mast cells.

Intranasal Corticosteroid Nasal Spray (INCS): It is effective for the treatment of moderate to severe allergies.

Combination Therapies (INCS and Antihistamine): These are used for the treatment of severe allergies.

Decongestants: Are used to relieve blocked noses.

Immunotherapy: It helps the person develop long-term tolerance either as an injection or in tablet form.

Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist: This may help in treating moderate to severe allergies by blocking chemicals that cause allergies.

Medicated Eye Drops: These are helpful in cases with eye tears due to allergens.

Adrenaline (Epinephrine): It is used in emergency treatment for life-threatening severe allergic reactions. Adrenaline is usually administered using injections.

Non-Medicated Treatment: This includes a saline spray for treating sinusitis (refers to inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinus).

What Are Complications of Allergy?

The complications of allergy are asthma, eczema (refers to a skin condition characterized by rashes and inflammation), ear or lung infection, sinus infection, nasal polyp (refers to non-cancerous growth on the lining of the sinus or nose), and migraine (refers to the headache that causes severe pain).

Conclusion

The prognosis of allergy is often excellent as it does not affect the life expectancy of an individual. The precautions taken to prevent the risk of allergy are exposure to allergens should be avoided, and autoinjectors should be accommodated by the person who has an allergy to certain things.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Are Allergies Treated?

Antihistamines, steroids, and avoiding allergens exposure are several treatments for allergies. The doctor could suggest immunotherapy if allergies are severe or previous therapies aren't alleviating them. Immunotherapy is a disease-modifying treatment rather than a cure for allergies. It might lessen someone's sensitivity to or allergic reaction to allergens.

2. How Many Types of Allergic Reactions Are There?

There are four types of allergic reactions. Type I is a reaction mediated by IgE antibodies, and the symptoms appear after a few seconds to minutes. Type II is a cytotoxic reaction mediated by IgG or IgM antibodies, where the symptoms appear after minutes to hours. Type III is the reaction mediated by immune complexes, where symptoms set in after several hours. Type IV is a delayed reaction mediated by the cellular response, where symptoms occur hours to days later.

3. What Are the Ways to Avoid Allergies and Their Complications?

Abstaining from allergens exposure, taking the medication as directed, keeping the epinephrine auto-injectors with oneself at all times if they are at risk of anaphylaxis, keeping a journal, and wearing a medical alert necklace or bracelet are some ways to avoid allergies and their complications.

4. How Long Can Allergies Last?

During peak pollen seasons in the spring, summer, or fall, allergy symptoms may last up to six weeks. In general, allergy symptoms continue as long as one is exposed to the allergen. Rarely do colds and flu last longer than two weeks.

5. Could Allergies Be Naturally Cured?

Several different natural therapies might lessen allergy symptoms. Some of these include exercise, nasal irrigation, probiotics, prebiotics, and various medicines and supplements. There is very little information available on how many of these impact allergies. Inform the doctor about the symptoms in consultation first.

6. Are Allergies a Serious Condition?

Congestion, watery eyes, a runny nose, vomiting, and, in extreme situations, anaphylaxis are some signs of an allergic reaction. If one needs help understanding what is inciting the immune system, allergies may be quite frustrating. A medical condition called anaphylaxis can cause a rapid, potentially fatal respiratory collapse. Breathing problems, edema, low blood pressure, blue skin, and shock are among the symptoms. Epinephrine, often known as adrenaline, treats acute, immediately life-threatening allergic responses. Injections are typically administered to give adrenaline.

7. Can Allergies Resolve on Their Own?

The allergies will continue as long as an individual is exposed to allergens. The symptoms ought to disappear a few hours after being away from allergens. However, due to ongoing contact with pets, dust mites, and pollens, the symptoms could persist for a few days or longer if the person has inhalant allergies.

8. How Serious Are Allergic Reactions?

Most allergy responses are minor, although anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock can occasionally happen. The signs of this medical emergency, which calls for rapid attention, include nausea, vomiting, skin rash, difficulty breathing, and shock.

9. What Are the Ways to Stop Allergies Fast?

Over-the-counter medication like oral antihistamines and corticosteroid nasal sprays can ease symptoms brought on by, such as sneezing, itching, a stuffy or runny nose, and watery eyes. Keeping oneself from exposure to allergens may resolve the allergic reactions independently.

10. What Foods Can Help with Allergies?

Tropic Fruits, fatty fish, rich in vitamin C and bromelain, onions, local honey, and yogurt are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and have been shown to reduce allergy symptoms significantly.

11. What Are the Blood Tests for Allergies?

The two main categories of allergy blood testing are: To determine the overall concentration of IgE antibodies in the blood, perform a total IgE test. Each allergen that could be the source of the allergies is subjected to a separate test.

12. Can Allergies Be Cured Without Medicine?

Spending less time outside, using the air conditioning in the car and house, removing the pollen before going to bed, taking a shower in the evening, keeping pets out of the bedroom, using a saline rinse to remove pollen from the nasal passages, using a dryer instead of clothesline, using a cold compress on the eyes to relieve the sensations of itching, sipping warm tea to soothe a sore throat, inhaling steam to relieve sinus congestion, and applying a warm compress to the face for sinus congestion and discomfort are some of the ways to resolve allergies without medicine.

13. Which Is the Most Serious Type of Allergy?

The most serious allergic reaction is anaphylaxis, often known as anaphylactic shock. A higher likelihood of allergic responses exists in those with a family history of allergies. In some people, substances that often don't affect them—like the venom from bee stings and particular foods, medications, and pollen—can cause allergic responses.

14. At What Age Are Allergies Reported to Be the Worst?

People often have severe allergies between the ages of 5 and 16, then get a few years off before the symptoms reappear in their 30s and gradually lessen as they approach retirement. Although they can begin at almost any age, seasonal allergies typically do not appear until a child is 2 years old. However, most seasonal allergies appear in persons around the age of 20.

15. When Do Seasonal Allergies Begin?

Like other forms of allergies, seasonal allergies arise when the body's immune system overreacts to an environmental trigger, often in the spring, summer, or fall when particular plants pollinate.

Sources

Dr. Rajesh Jain

General Practitioner

Rate this article

Tags:

itching cough

Do you have a question on

itching

Ask a doctor online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.