Allergies are a hypersensitive immune reaction to substances that enter or come into contact with your body. Such substances include bee venom, pollen, mold, penicillin, dander, peanuts, dairy, and many more. These “allergens” can be found in foods, drinks, medications, pets, and the environment around us. Whenever your body encounters allergens, it produces substances known as antibodies to chemically fight them off. It is this interaction between the allergen and the antibodies that causes an allergic reaction.

Allergies are very common. They are sure to affect more than one out of four people at some point in their lives. The condition is much more common in children than in adults. In fact, a team of researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine claimed that an estimated 8 percent of children in the United States have some kind of food allergy. Moreover, around 30% percent of children with allergies have allergic reactions to more than one food substance, and 38% percent have a history of anaphylaxis reactions, such as an acute episode to an antigen such as a bee sting. Another study, published in the September 2013 issue of JAMA Pediatrics, revealed that allergic reactions to food substances cost the US approximately $25 billion annually.

Some allergies will go away once a child gets older, although most are thought to be lifelong. Adults can also develop allergic reactions to substances they weren’t allergic to as children. Having an allergic reaction can be a mild nuisance, or it can be life threatening. According to the National Health Society, most allergies are mild, and can be kept under control. There are many treatment options that can help relieve symptoms.

Why Allergies Happen

One may blame triggers such as pollen, bee sting, or your cat for the symptoms; but as mentioned earlier, your immune system is ultimately responsible for the reactions. It mistakes innocent substances in your surroundings for serious threats, and attacks them as a defense mechanism. The result – allergies.

The odds of developing an allergic reaction depends on your genes. A tendency towards having allergies is inherited. Studies show that children with a parent with an allergic reaction have a 33 percent chance of developing the same allergies. If one has two parents with allergies, there is even a greater chance, around 70 percent, of developing similar allergies.

Types and Symptoms of Allergies

Over 50 million Americans have allergic reactions to something. But not all allergies are the same. Here is a rundown of some of the most common allergies and their symptoms:

Food Allergies

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies affect over 6 percent of children and 4 percent of adults in the United States. Although most common in babies and children, food allergies can occur at any age. In fact, you can develop allergies to foods you’ve been eating since childhood. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), soy, wheat, shellfish, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, milk, and eggs account for about 90 percent of all food allergies. Symptoms of food allergies include:

·   Stomach cramps

·   Vomiting

·   Dizziness

·   Pale or blue coloring of the skin

·   Weak pulse swelling of the tongue, which may affect the ability to breath or talk

·   Shock or circulatory collapse

·   Repetitive coughing

·   Wheezing

·   Tight throat

·   Shortness of breath

·   Hives

·   Anaphylaxis, which can impair breathing and send shock waves throughout the body. 

Sometimes, reactions can instantaneously affect different parts of the body (e.g. have a stomach ache, accompanied by a rash).

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever) is a type of allergy associated with runny (often stuffy) nose, skin, mouth, and eye irritation. According to ACAAI (American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology), allergic rhinitis affects around 50 million people in the United States. Like most skin allergies, this condition develops when your body’s immune system becomes sensitive, and overreacts to substances in the environment that normally don’t affect most people.

Although this type of allergy is sometimes referred to as hay fever, you do not have to be exposed to hay to have the symptoms. You also won’t necessarily get fever. It is normally caused by pet hair, dust mites, weeds, grass, pollen, and mold spores, among many others. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:

·   Fatigue

·   Stuffy nose

·   Sneezing

·   Itchy skin, mouth, and eyes

·   Runny nose

Dust Allergies

As the name suggests, dust allergies are associated with dust. The symptoms are normally worse during or immediately after dusting, sweeping, or vacuuming. Dust allergies make it hard to breathe, and may trigger symptoms associated with asthma such as shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, coughing, and wheezing. Dust allergies are normally triggered by feathers, fur, pet hair, pollen, mold, cockroaches, and dust mites. The symptoms of dust allergies include:

·   Shortness of breath

·   Coughing

·   Tightness in the chest

·   Wheezing

·   Read, itchy, teary eyes

·   Runny or stuffy nose

·   Sneezing

·   Itching

Drug Allergies

If you develop hives, rashes, or have difficulty breathing after taking certain medications, you may have a drug allergy. As with the other allergies, your immune system may react defensively towards certain medication constituents, perceiving them as threats to your body. People with drug allergies may experience allergic reactions towards a certain drug, regardless of whether they take them in the form of injections, pills, or liquid. According to ACAAI, some of the common triggers of drug allergies include chemotherapy drugs, ibuprofen, aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), anticonvulsants, antibiotics containing sulfonamides (sulfa drugs), and penicillin and related drugs. The common symptoms of drug allergies include:

·   Anaphylaxis

·   Swelling

·   Wheezing and other breathing problems

·   Itching

·   Hive or skin rash

Latex Allergies

Latex is a natural rubber made from the milk sap of a certain Brazilian rubber tree called Hevea brasiliensis. Latex is used in making a variety of products including IV tubing and gloves. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 6 percent of the American population have latex allergies. In most cases, latex allergies can range from mild to severe, although it can also be life threatening.

People who are at a higher risk of developing this type of allergy include;

·   People with other allergies such as food allergies or hay fever.

·   People who are constantly exposed to natural rubber latex, especially rubber workers.

·   People who have had multiple surgeries (more than ten), for example kids with a condition called spina bifida.

·   Health care workers who usually wear gloves.

The most common symptoms associated with latex allergy include:

·   Immediate swelling, redness, and itching of the skin areas touched by the item containing latex

·   Anaphylaxis (in severe cases)

·   Wheezing

·   Difficulty breathing 

·   Chest tightness

·   Stuffy or runny nose

·   Hives

Cosmetic Allergies

Although beauty products can sometimes elevate your appearance and confidence, they can also irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. In fact, according to a study conducted in 2011, more than a third of the test group had at least one allergic reaction to certain cosmetic ingredients. Cosmetic allergies can also range from a simple rash to full-blown allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. The reaction can also start immediately after you use a product, or develop even after years of using a certain product. Allergic reactions to cosmetics normally occur on the neck, ears, eyes, lips, and face, but can also affect other parts of your body. Symptoms of cosmetic allergies may include:

·   Redness

·   Burning sensation

·   Hives

·   Itching

·   Swelling

·   Anaphylaxis

Mold Allergies

Typically, mold allergies cause the same symptoms caused by other types of upper respiratory allergies, such as pollen allergies. There are hundreds of mold species out there, most of which are not visible to the naked eye. As these tiny substances become airborne, they can cause the following allergic reactions in people who have mold allergies:

·   Sneezing

·   Itchy throat

·   Wheezing

·   Coughing

·   Irritated eyes

·   Asthmatic symptoms, such as shortness of breath

Cat Allergy

It is believed that over 10 percent of the U.S. population has pet allergies, and cats are among the most common culprits. In fact, cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies. Although most people think that cat allergies are caused by the cat’s fur, the allergy is caused by the multiple allergens that cats produce. These allergens are normally found in the cat’s saliva, fur, and dried flakes of the skin (dander). Depending on the level of exposure to cats’ allergens and an individual’s sensitivity, a cat allergy can range from mild to severe. These variables may also influence how quickly symptoms may develop after exposure. The symptoms of a cat allergy may include:

·   Hives or skin rash

·   Shortness of breath

·   Coughing

·   Wheezing

·   Chest tightness

·   Sneezing

·   Stuffy or runny nose

·   Facial pain from nasal congestion

Dog Allergy

If you wheeze, sneeze, or get runny nose when you play or come into contact with a dog, you may be allergic to them. Like cats, dogs also produce multiple allergens that may cause allergic reactions in some people. Similarly, these allergens are found in the dogs’ urine, saliva, dander, and fur. All types of dogs produce these allergens – so if you are allergic to one species of a dog, you are also likely to be allergic to other species. Symptoms of a dog allergy may include:

·   Hives or skin rash

·   Shortness of breath

·   Coughing

·   Wheezing

·   Chest tightness

·   Sneezing

·   Stuffy or runny nose

·   Facial pain from nasal congestion

Diagnosis of Allergies

There are numerous factors involved in an accurate diagnosis of allergies. The two key steps in the process of allergy diagnosis include a medical history and allergy tests. A patient’s medical history is as important as the results of an allergy test. It is the critical link between the disease and the test results.  Before a medical test is conducted, your doctor will probably need to know the type of symptoms you are suffering from, how often they occur, and if anything in particular seems to trigger them. If you don’t seem to find a connection between the allergy and its trigger, you may be referred to an allergist for further tests. The following tests may be carried out:

   i.         Skin prick testing—Also called scratch test or puncture, this test is used to provide immediate results to as many as 40 allergies at once. Skin prick testing is normally used to test allergic reactions to foods, dust mites, pets, mold, pollen, and others. This type of allergy testing is not painful; the needles (lancets) used barely penetrate your skin, so there is no bleeding or scarring of your skin.

  ii.         Patch tests—In this type of testing, a small amount of suspected allergen is taped to your skin using special metal discs for about 48 hours, and observed for reaction. Patch tests are used to investigate a condition called contact dermatitis, which is normally caused by exposure to certain allergens.

   iii.         Blood tests—Blood tests may also be conducted alongside other tests, such as skin prick tests, to help diagnose common forms of allergic reactions. Here, a sample of blood is drawn and tested against the suspected allergens.

   iv.         Skin injection tests—In this kind of testing, an allergist may inject a small amount of allergen into your skin for about 15 minutes and observe any form of reactions. Injection tests are normally carried to test reactions such as those from penicillin or insect venoms.  

Allergies Treatment

For people with allergies, the best way to avoid symptoms is by avoiding the offending triggers/allergens altogether. This works best if the trigger is a specific food such as a peanut, which can be simply omitted from the diet. However, this may prove difficult if one is allergic to substances such as ragweed pollen. For such individuals, certain prescription medications are recommended and can help relieve the symptoms.

·   Immunotherapy/allergy shots—In this treatment approach, your allergist or doctor injects a small dose of the substance you are allergic to under your skin, to help your body tolerate it. This type of treatment is suitable for treating allergic rhinitis-dander, pollen, weed, grass, molds, and dust mite allergies among others.

·   Decongestants—These are type of medications, in the form of capsules and sprays. used to reduce sinus discomfort and swelling. They are normally intended for short term use and are used in combination with other medications, such as antihistamines.

·   Antihistamines—These medications used to counter the effect of histamine, a substance that causes sneezing, runny nose, itching, and irritation of the eyes during allergic reactions.