Allergy symptoms occur when your immune system overreacts to an
allergen—something that usually is harmless, such as plant pollen, dust
mites, molds, insect stings or food. If you have an allergy, your immune
system acts as if the allergen were dangerous, releasing a chemical
called histamine that causes allergy symptoms.
If the allergen is something you breathe in from the air, your reaction will most likely affect your eyes, nose and lungs. If it's something you eat, it may affect your mouth, stomach and intestines. Food allergies also can cause skin rashes or even asthma symptoms.
If the allergen is something you breathe in from the air, your reaction will most likely affect your eyes, nose and lungs. If it's something you eat, it may affect your mouth, stomach and intestines. Food allergies also can cause skin rashes or even asthma symptoms.
Allergy Types
Learn the types of allergies including food allergies, seasonal allergies, pet allergies, and many more.
Food allergies or food intolerances affect nearly
everyone at some point. People often have an unpleasant reaction to
something they ate and wonder if they have a food allergy.
If you suffer from a milk allergy, strictly
avoiding milk and food containing milk and milk products is the only way
to prevent a reaction, which can include immediate wheezing, vomiting,
and hives.
Egg allergies -- especially to egg whites -- are more common in children than in adults and reactions range from mild to severe.
If you are allergic to any wheat protein strictly
avoiding wheat and wheat products is the only way to prevent a reaction,
which can include stomach upset, eczema, allergic rhinitis,
bronchospasm (asthma-like symptoms) and even anaphylaxis.
If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly
avoiding nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts like cashews and walnuts,
and food containing nuts is the only way to prevent a reaction.
If your doctor is able to identify exactly which
type of fish causes your allergies, than you only need to eliminate that
species of fish from your diet. For the majority of fish allergy
sufferers, this is not an option and all fish must be avoided.
Learn about shellfish allergies and which foods to avoid.
Sulfites are a group of sulfur-based compounds
that may occur naturally or may be added to food as an enhancer and
preservative. The FDA estimates that one out of 100 people is sensitive
to the compounds.
Soy allergies start with soybeans. Soybeans are
legumes. Other foods in the legume family include navy beans, kidney
beans, string beans, black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas (garbanzo or
chichi beans), lentils, carob, licorice, and peanuts.
If a glass of milk or a slice of pizza causes
swollen lips, hives, or other significant symptoms, you may have an
allergy to casein, a protein in milk.
Seasonal Allergies
Spring is the time of year that we normally think
of when it comes to seasonal allergies. As the trees start to bloom and
the pollen gets airborne, allergy sufferers begin their annual ritual of
sniffling and sneezing.
Although spring most readily comes to mind when we
think of allergies, many of the same allergic triggers that can make us
miserable in the spring persist into summer.
The allergy triggers might be slightly different,
but they can be just as misery-inducing as the flower pollen that fills
the air in the spring and summer.
Here are some common causes of winter allergies, and a few tips for managing your symptoms.
Pet Allergies
For a person with dog allergies, life in a
dog-loving country isn't easy. Nearly 40% of U.S. households have a dog.
Dog dander gets everywhere, including places where dogs have never set a
paw.
Here are some answers -- what you need to know about cat allergies, from causes to treatments.
Other Allergies
Hay fever is an immune disorder characterized by
an allergic response to pollen grains and other substances. Also known
as allergic rhinitis, there are two types: seasonal, which occurs only
during the time of year in which certain plants pollinate, and
perennial, which occurs all year round.
Pink eye caused by bacteria, viruses, or STDs can
spread easily from person to person but is not a serious health risk if
diagnosed promptly; allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
Hives, also known as urticaria, are an outbreak of
swollen, pale red bumps, patches, or welts on the skin that appear
suddenly -- either as a result of allergies, or for other reasons.
Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that contain an irritating, oily sap called urushiol.
Urushiol triggers an allergic reaction when it comes into contact with
skin, resulting in an itchy rash, which can appear within hours of
exposure or up to several days later.
Bee, wasp, yellow jacket, hornet, or fire ant
stings are the insect stings that most often trigger allergies. However,
most people are not allergic to insect stings and may mistake a normal
sting reaction for an allergic reaction.
People with mold allergies, however, may have a reaction if exposed to too much of the fungus.
For most people, a change of seasons signals the
beginning of long, lazy days or cool, crisp evenings. But for the one in
10 Americans who suffers from pollen allergies, changing seasons can
mean misery.
Most people's skin will burn if there is enough
exposure to ultraviolet radiation. However, some people burn
particularly easily or develop exaggerated skin reactions to sunlight.
Salicylates are chemicals found naturally in
plants and are a major ingredient of aspirin and other pain-relieving
medications. They are also found in many fruits and vegetables as well
as in many common health and beauty products.
Although cosmetics can help us feel more
beautiful, they can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Certain
ingredients used in cosmetics, such as fragrances and preservatives,
can act as allergens, substances that trigger an allergic reaction.
A nickel allergy is a skin reaction that develops after exposure to nickel or items containing the metal.
Many drugs can cause adverse side effects, and
certain medicines can trigger allergic reactions. In an allergic
reaction, the immune system mistakenly responds to a drug by creating an
immune response against it.
Life with dust allergies -- whether they're yours
or a family member's -- comes with a load of questions. For instance,
might a dust allergy explain your child's never-ending cold symptoms?
They promise to make your skin soft, your hair
shiny, and your laundry springtime fresh, but for some people the
chemicals in shampoos, cosmetics, and detergents trigger allergic skin
reactions.
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