VigorBuddy | Tell-Tale Signs of An Allergic Reaction | Allergies are caused when the immune system reacts to a non-allergenic substance, such as pollen, bee venom, or pet dander, or when you eat food that does not cause an allergy in most people.
Antibodies are chemicals produced by the immune system to fight disease. When you have allergies, your immune system creates antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even if it isn’t. Contact with an allergen might trigger an immune system response that inflames your skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive system.
The intensity of allergies varies from person to person, and some people may suffer minor discomfort or anaphylaxis, a potentially deadly emergency. While most allergies can’t be cured, various treatments like Fexofenadine might help you feel better.
Symptoms
Symptoms of allergies, which are dependent on the allergen involved, may affect your airways, nasal passages, skin, and digestive system. Allergic reactions may cover a wide range of severity. Anaphylactic shock, which is a severe allergic reaction that can be fatal, is one example of an extreme allergic reaction.
Hay fever can cause:
- Sneezing
- Excessive itching of the nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth
- Runny, stuffy nose
- Eyes that are watery, red, or puffy (conjunctivitis)
A food allergy can cause:
- Tingling in the oral cavity
- Swelling in the mouth, tongue, face, or throat.
- Hives
- Anaphylaxis
An insect sting allergy can cause:
- Oedema is present in a wide zone of the sting site.
- Itching and hives can affect many parts of the body.
- Itching, redness, or swelling in the palms and soles.
- Anaphylaxis
A drug allergy can cause:
- Hives
- Itchy skinRash
- Facial swelling
- Wheezing
- Anaphylaxis
Atopic dermatitis, which is an allergic skin disease also known as eczema, may induce the following symptoms on the skin:
- Itch
- Redden
- Flake or peel
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction that can be triggered by a variety of factors, including allergies to foods and insect stings. Anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal medical emergency, can induce shock. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Loss of consciousness
- A drop in blood pressure
- Severe shortness of breath
- Skin rash Lightheadedness
- A rapid, weak pulse
- Nausea and vomiting
When to see a doctor
If you are experiencing symptoms that you believe are due to an allergy, but over-the-counter allergy medications aren’t enough, speak with your doctor. If you develop symptoms after starting a new drug, contact the doctor who gave it as soon as possible.
Call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the hospital if you experience a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which is when blood vessels in the skin and lungs swell up. If you’re carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (Auvi-Q, EpiPen, or other), give yourself a dose right away.
If you take an epinephrine injection to treat a severe allergic reaction and your symptoms improve, you should visit the emergency department to ensure that they don’t return when the effects of the shot wear off.
If you’ve had a severe allergic reaction or any symptoms of anaphylaxis in the past, make an appointment with your doctor. Anaphylaxis is a serious medical condition that requires immediate, expert treatment. As a result of this complexity, you’ll probably need to see an allergist or immunologist who has expertise in this field.
Causes
When your immune system mistakes a harmless substance for a harmful invader, an allergy develops. The immune system then produces antibodies that are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the case of this particular allergen. When you’re exposed to the antigen again, these antibodies cause a slew of immunological compounds, including histamine, to be released by the immune system.
Common allergy causes include:
- Pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and mould are some of the airborne allergens that can cause allergy symptoms.
- Peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soybeans, fish, shellfish, chicken eggs and milk are all examples of foods to avoid.
- Inset stings, bee and wasp stings, for example.
- Antibiotics, particularly penicillin or penicillin’s, are the most common drug class for antibiotic-resistant infections.
- The chemicals in latex, or other things you come into contact with, can cause allergic skin rashes.