Allergy: |Causes|allergens|Types|Symptoms|Test|Treatment|

 

Imagine yourself to be amidst a valley covered with flowers. The view you are witnessing is an outstanding example of how beautiful the nature is! Just then what interrupts your thought is a sneeze which continues to come between you and the flowers.

What possibly can be the reason?

May be the pollen grains of the flowers. Yes. Actually, your body's immune system may be hypersensitive to the pollen grains which might have appeared to you as tiny and ordinary. This is due to allergy.

What is allergy?

 A chronic condition occurring when a person is prone to substances to which the immune system of his body is hypersensitive to is termed as allergy.

What are allergens?

The substances to which a body produces allergic reactions after inhaling or eating them, are known as allergens.

It may include dust mites, mold, grass pollen, dust particles and pet dander. Some people may also be allergic to food such as milk, egg, soy, wheat, nut or fish proteins.

Pollen, animal dander, dust mites and mold are airborne allergens. Some people are allergic to medications like penicillin. Food allergens which can trigger allergy in some people include peanuts, wheat, fish, milk and egg. Insect sting from insects like bee, wasp, ant can cause allergy.

Types of Allergies -

·      ​Pollen allergy

·      ​Seasonal allergy

·      ​Food allergy

·      ​Drug allergy

·      ​Insect sting allergy

·      ​Pet allergy

·      ​Mold allergy

·      ​Hay fever, also known as Allergic rhinitis

·      ​Skin allergy

·      ​Eye allergy

·      ​Latex allergy

·      ​Dust allergy

 

Symptoms of Allergies -

Symptoms differ according to the type of allergy. Symptoms of allergy may range from mild to severe. Sometimes, allergy can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis which is caused due to severe allergy caused by any type of allergen such as food, latex, insect sting and drugs. During anaphylaxis, excess of chemicals are released in response to the allergens, leading the person to be in shock.

Effects on body -

Allergy affects the airways, nasal passages, skin and digestive system.

·      ​Hay fever has symptoms like running and stuffy nose, red watery swollen eyes and itching of nose, eyes and roof of mouth.

·      Food allergy causes itching in the roof of mouth, swollen lips and tongue.

·      Eye allergy has symptoms like watery-red and swollen eyes.

·      Drug allergies show symptoms like skin rashes, redness and swelling of skin and facial swelling.

·      An insect sting may have symptoms like swelling of the affected area accompanied with redness, shortness of breath, coughing and tightness of chest.

·      Symptoms of anaphylaxis includes drop in blood pressure, vomiting, nausea, rapid and weak pulse and severe shortness of breath.

 

Diagnostic Tests -

The physician may recommend allergy tests like blood test and skin test to determine the allergy:

Patch test

Skin prick test

Intradermal skin tests

Blood tests

 

Natural Treatment of Allergies -

Vitamin C - It is a natural antihistamine. Antihistamines inhibit physiological effects of histamine involved in immunological responses and thus reduces allergy.

Butterbur- It is a plant extract used to treat allergies like hay fever. It is found in the form of oil and tablet.

Probiotics-These help in boosting the immune system. It aids the body to fight off allergies.

Bromelain- It is found in fruit and stem of pineapple. It is a natural remedy for inflammation, especially of the sinuses.

Quercetin- It is an antioxidant flavonoid found in many plants and foods like onions, cranberry, fennel leaves, radish leaves. It relieves allergy symptoms.

Medications for allergies include drugs from vasoconstrictor, bronchodilator, antihistamine and steroid classes.

 

Everyone needs an allergy test. Every person should know which thing he is allergic to. Beware of allergies & follow the natural treatment.