Allergy

Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician.

An allergy is a reaction of the immune system to particular substances that are not typically harmful to the body. Substances that cause allergies are called allergens. Common allergens include certain animal dander, food, dust, medicines, chemicals, insect stings, and pollen. Some people may not know they have an allergy because they have very mild allergic reactions.

Allergy Symptoms

Hives. Many allergic reactions start with skin symptoms and only then affect other organs.
Dry cough attacks.
Bronchospasm — severe irritation of bronchial mucosa makes it hard to breathe.
Sneezing.
Swelling.
Eye pain or burning.
Nasal congestion.
Diarrhea.
Nausea, vomiting.

If symptoms persist for more than a month or recur frequently, you should consult a doctor.

Allergy Triggers

Flowering Plants

Various studies have shown that 30 to 60% of all allergy sufferers are allergic to pollen. This type of allergy trigger can affect both children and adults. Allergy specialists claim genetic predisposition to be the root cause of hay fever. Pollen can cause life-threatening reactions in people with allergies. The flowering season of birch, alder, weeds, and mugwort also trigger strong reactions.

Food

It is considered the second most common cause of allergic reactions. Milk is among the major food allergens. Most often, milk allergy occurs in children. Other common allergens include eggs, nuts, chocolate. Seafood can also cause hives, itching, nausea. Oysters, crabs, lobsters, and caviar account for a significant percentage of serious allergic reactions.

Pets

Fur, saliva, urine, animal dander can create significant problems for allergy sufferers. Pet allergies are most commonly associated with cats and dogs. They are triggered by exposure to proteins that are present in an animal’s skin flakes or secretions.

Dust and Dust Mites

House dust mites have been living with humans for centuries. Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely get rid of dust mites in the home. Therefore, people suffering from this type of allergy should always be supervised by a doctor.

Medications

A drug allergy is the result of the immune system's response to certain components of medicines. Most allergic reactions are caused by antibiotics, painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and local anesthetics.

Insect Stings

People who are stung by a bee or wasp experience burning pain, swelling, itching, hives. Besides, allergic reactions to stinging insects are more common in adults than children.

Nickel Compounds

Nickel was mainly used in making coins, but today it is the main component in the production of jewelry. If you experience itching, rash, or peeling after wearing earrings, pendants, and necklaces, it could be an allergic reaction to nickel. The metal compounds are also used in the manufacture of zippers, belt buckles, eyeglass frames, and telephones.

Reasons for the Development of Allergies

Researchers are still not sure why people develop allergic reactions. Genetic factors are thought to be responsible for allergies. If one parent has an allergy, there's a 25% chance that a child will also be allergic. If both parents have allergies, this risk rises to 70%.

Risk Factors for Allergy

Unbalanced diet.
Severe stress.
Use of medicines.
Ecological factors.
Recurrent respiratory tract infections: tonsillitis, bronchitis.
Pregnancy. Severe allergic reactions can be triggered by a weakened immune system.

Allergy Complications

Anaphylactic shock is a severe, immediate allergic reaction. It develops suddenly after contact with an allergen. A person may develop a drop in blood pressure, seizures, or loss of consciousness within minutes (or even seconds) of exposure to an allergy trigger.
Quincke's edema is the body's response to direct contact with an allergen, which develops 15-30 minutes after the allergen enters the body. The swelling affects parts of the body with loose connective tissue. It usually involves eyelids, lips, larynx, palate.

In severe cases, anaphylactic shock and Quincke's edema can be life-threatening.