What are Allergies?
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimates more than 40 million people in the United States are affected by an allergic condition. Web M.D. puts that number as high as 1/5 of the Western Hemisphere.
That's a lot of sneezing and scratch going on!
Defining Allergy
Your immune system protects you from foreign substances called antigens. When you experience an allergic reaction, it is your immune system reacting to a substance that does not cause a reaction in most people. A substance that is known to commonly call allergic reactions in people is called an allergen.
Common allergens include:
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Mold Spores
- Pet Dander
- Certain Foods
- Insect Stings
- Certain Medications
When your immune system detects something it feels is harmful to you, it releases antibodies and other chemicals to attack the intruder. This triggers an allergic reaction that can cause swelling, itching, increased production of mucus and tightening of the muscles in the throat. You may experience a mild reaction that causes a runny nose and watery eyes, sneezing, or hives. Or if the reaction is serious, you may experience a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis.
Though allergies are often identified in young people, they can develop at any age and can flare up throughout your life.
The reason some people are affect by allergies and others are not, is not clear. It does, however, appear that heredity plays a role. You may inherit the tendency to be allergic to one thing or another from your parents. If you do have an allergy, it is most likely one or both of your parents have allergies. If both parents have allergies, the child is at an even higher risk of developing an allergic condition.
Allergies can take many forms, but are typically are categorized as skin allergies, such as eczema, hives, and angioedema, or respiratory allergies, such as hay fever.
Pollen
Allergens may be airborne, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores and animal dander. These allergens, especially pollen, may be more prominent in spring and fall, and cause what is known as hay fever. Ironically, symptoms of hay fever don't have anything to do with hay or the time of year when hay is cut, nor is fever a symptom of hay fever. Rather, symptoms of hay fever usually include sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and congestion.
Often times, you can treat the symptoms of hay fever with over-the-counter medication, such as antihistamines. Your doctor may prescribe antihistamines, steroids, or other medication that may be helpful in relieving the symptoms. If you are allergic to pollens and grasses, you should avoid exposure by staying indoors when the pollen counts are high. Click here to see what the pollen count is in your area today. Keeping your doors and windows closed during peak pollen times may also help alleviate some of your symptoms.
Molds
Mold is a fungus. The seeds mold produces are called spores, and they are released into the air. Outdoor molds are more prevalent in the warm seasons, with the peak outdoor mold season coming in July. However, indoor mold can be present year-round. Indoor mold likes to grown in basements and bathrooms where it is warm and moist. Symptoms of mold allergy include sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and itchy watery eyes.
If you are allergic to molds, you should avoid outdoor settings that have a lot of vegetation, hay, and straw. You should also avoid moving the lawn and raking leaves. This stirs up mold spores that can aggravate your symptoms. In the house, basements and crawl spaces, and places with high humidity should be avoided.
Antihistamines and nasal sprays may be used to curb the symptoms of mold allergy. Your physician may also consider immunotherapy or allergy shots as a part of your treatment plan.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are microscopic organisms that thrive on the house dust and plant and animal fibers that are trapped in many household items, including your bedding, pillows, mattress, carpets, and upholstered furniture. They thrive in warm, humid areas. The droppings of dust mites is usually what triggers an allergic reaction to dust mites.
Taking steps to eliminate the habitat for dust mites often helps alleviate some of the problem. In your bedroom, you should cover your pillows, mattress, and box spring with protective, airtight covers (plastic or special allergen-proof fabric). Make sure to wash bedding in hot water (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends 130 degrees) weekly and dry the bedding on a hot drier setting.
Vacuuming at least weekly with a vacuum that has a high-efficiency particulate filter can help keep the dust mite population down. Many doctors recommend removing the carpet in your home if the allergy is a real problem. It is also important to control pet dander, cockroaches, and molds.
Antihistamines or decongestants may be used to control the symptoms of dust mite allergies. Your doctor may also recommend allergy shots as part of your treatment plan.
Animal Dander
Strangely enough, contrary to popular belief, people are not allergic to animal hair. What they are allergic to and react to is a protein found in the dead skin scales that are sloughed off of the animal, animal saliva, or urine from an animal that has fur. The protein particles are airborne. Most people who are allergic to animal dander react with sneezing, congestion, and itchy and watery eyes within a short time of exposure to the allergen.
The best way to combat a reaction to animal dander is to avoid contact with animals or places animals have been. However, people who are extremely allergic to animal dander can experience a reaction merely by being in the same place as a pet owner who might have pet dander on their clothing.
If you cannot avoid contact with an animal, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommends making sure the animal is not allowed in the bedroom of the person with the allergy or in other areas where the person spends a great deal of time. They also suggest that bathing the animal on a weekly basis may help control the allergen. Further, they suggest that hardwood floors may be a better solution than carpeted floors, and a HEPA air cleaner may help reduce the airborne allergen.
Symptoms of an allergy attack may be controlled by antihistamines and decongestants. Your doctor may also recommend allergy shots as part of your treatment plan.
Food
Food allergies are actually rare in adults, but quite common in children. People who have food allergies may be allergic to just one specific food, or they may be allergic to many foods or food items. Reactions to food allergens range from hives to an emergency situation of anaphylaxis within a matter of minutes following exposure.
Common allergens are:
- Peanuts
- Milk
- Eggs
- Shellfish
- Wheat
- Soy
- Tree Nuts
Symptoms of a food allergy include hives, atopic dermatitis, asthma symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and cramping.
It is important to understand that an intolerance for certain foods is sometimes confused with a food allergy. If you are intolerant of a specific food, you may have an unusual response to that food or something in the food, but it is not a response driven by the immune system. Food allergens are most often a reaction to protein.
Food allergies are diagnosed after careful analysis by your doctor. Skin tests may be conducted to help determine what foods you are allergic to. Your physician may also request that you keep a food journal that details all of the food you eat. This can help to narrow down the search for allergens.
If it is determined that you have a food allergy, you should obviously avoid that food. Be sure to ask about ingredients in any food you eat when you are away from home or have not been responsible for making the food. You should read the ingredient labels on all food products you purchase. Sometimes, it will not be immediately obvious the food you are allergic to is part of that list.
Most importantly, since food allergies can be very severe, it is important to be prepared to help yourself in case you are accidently exposed to a food to which you are allergic. Mild reactions to food allergies can be treated with topical creams and antihistamines. However, severe reactions to food allergens require immediate medical attention. You need to make sure the people around you know about your allergy and know what to do should you experience an allergic reaction. Your doctor may prescribe an "epi" pen with epinephrine that you should carry with you at all times. And you should wear jewelry that identifies your allergy in case of an emergency.
Insect Venom
Though insect bites can hurt, it isn't the actual bite that causes your reaction, it's the venom the insect injects with its stinger.
Usually, when an insect bite occurs, you experience localized swelling, pain, and redness in the area of the sting. For this type of sting, topical creams and antihistamines can help relieve minor itching. A cold compress may help take the swelling down and reduce pain.
However, an allergic reaction extends the symptoms of an insect sting well beyond the area of the bite. A serious reaction to an insect bite might make it difficult to breath, cause your throat to swell, make you extremely anxious, and cause your blood pressure to drop rapidly. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is an emergency situation and you need to have medical treatment immediately. An injection of epinephrine - whether through a self-administered epi pen or an emergency room doctor - is needed. After you have received treatment, it is important to see an allergy specialist to help determine if any further treatment may be necessary. Your doctor may consider immunotherapy.
If you are allergic to insect stings, you need to take precautions to reduce the chance of exposure to these stings. The best rule may be to stay out of areas where insects call home. If there are bee hives or wasp nests around your home, destroy them, so the insects will not be attracted to the area. When you go outside, make sure that you aren't wearing perfume that might make you smell like a flower to the insect, or bright-colored clothing. Don't wear loose-fitting clothing, which the insect can fly under, and don't go without shoes.