Allergies

• Allergies are your body’s reaction

to a foreign protein

• Usually, these proteins (allergens)

are harmless. However, if any
person have an allergy to a
particular protein, his/her body’s
defense system (immune system)
overreacts to its presence in your
body.
Allergic reaction

✓ An allergic reaction is the way one’s body responds to an allergen.

✓ If a person have allergies to a specific allergen, the immune system of his/her

body produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately after entry of that allergen
into the body (IgE are the antibodies produced by immune system).

✓ IgE antibodies bind to mast cells (allergy cells) of the skin, respiratory tract
(airways) and the mucus membrane in the hollow organs that connect to each
other from your mouth to your anus (gastrointestinal or GI tract).

✓ The antibodies find the allergens in your body and help remove them by taking
them to the mast cell (allergy cell), where they attach to a special receptor.

✓ This causes the allergy cell to release histamine (Histamine increases the
permeability of the capillaries to white blood cells and some proteins, to allow
them to engage pathogens in the infected tissues).

✓ Histamine is what causes your allergy symptoms.

Causes

Various substances can cause allergies. An allergy starts when the immune system
mistakes a substance that's usually harmless for a dangerous invader. The immune system
then makes antibodies that stay on the alert for that specific allergen. When you're
exposed to the allergen again, these antibodies can release some immune system
chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.

Common allergy triggers include:

✓ Airborne allergens, such as pollen, animal dander, dust mites and mold.
✓ Certain foods, especially peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs and milk.
✓ Insect stings, such as from a bee or wasp.
✓ Medicines, especially penicillin or penicillin-based antibiotics.
✓ Latex or other substances you touch, which can cause allergic skin reactions.

Risk factors Risk factors for allergies include:

✓ Having a family history of asthma or allergies, such as hay fever, hives or eczema.
✓ Being a child.
✓ Having asthma or another allergic condition.
✓ Complications
Symptoms

Allergy symptoms depend on what allergen is involved. The symptoms can affect the
airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system. Allergic reactions can
range from mild to severe. Sometimes, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction
known as anaphylaxis.

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, can cause:

✓ Sneezing.
✓ Itching of the skin, nose, eyes or roof of the mouth.
✓ Runny, stuffy nose.
✓ Tiredness, also called fatigue.
✓ Watery, red or swollen eyes, also called allergic conjunctivitis.

A food allergy can cause:

✓ Tingling in the mouth.

✓ Swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat.
✓ Itchy welts called hives.
✓ Stuffy nose, sneezing or teary eyes that itch.
✓ Stomach cramps, vomiting or diarrhea.
✓ Anaphylaxis.
Complication

Having an allergy raises the risk of certain other health conditions called
complications, including:

Anaphylaxis.

If you have severe allergies, that raises your risk of this serious allergic reaction.
Foods, medicines, latex and insect stings are the most common triggers of
anaphylaxis.

Asthma.

If you have an allergy, you're more likely to have asthma. Asthma is an immune
system reaction that affects the airways and breathing. Often, asthma is triggered by
exposure to an allergen in the environment. This is known as allergy-induced asthma.
Infections of the sinuses, ears or lungs. Your risk of getting these conditions is higher
if you have hay fever or asthma.
Most common allergies The most common allergies include:
1. Food allergies

Food allergies develop when your body releases a specific antibody to a particular food. An
allergic reaction occurs within minutes of eating the food, and symptoms can be severe.
Symptoms may include:

• Itching all over your body

• Itching in just one certain part of your body
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Hives
• Swelling around your mouth, including your throat, tongue or face.

If anyone have an IgE-mediated food allergy, symptoms may also include anaphylaxis. It
may present as any one of the above symptoms or a combination of the above symptoms. It
usually occurs within 30 minutes of ingesting a food you’re allergic to.
In children, the most common food allergies are:

✓ Milk.
✓ Eggs.
✓ Wheat.
✓ Soy.
✓ Peanuts

In adults, the most common food allergies are:

✓ Milk.
✓ Eggs.
✓ Wheat.
✓ Soy.
✓ Peanuts.
2. Inhalant allergies

Inhalant allergies are airborne substances that you inhale (breathe in). They include
allergens that may affect you throughout the year (perennial allergens) and seasonal
allergens. Inhalant allergy symptoms include:

• Runny nose.
• Stuffy nose.
• Itchy nose.
• Sneezing.
• Itchy eyes.
• Watery eyes.
• If anyone have asthma, inhalant allergies can also trigger or worsen your symptoms,
including wheezing and shortness of breath
3. Medications

Certain medications can cause an allergic reaction. The medicines may be herbal,
over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription. Common medications that cause allergies
include:

✓ Antibiotics.
✓ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
✓ Insulin.
✓ Chemotherapy drugs.

Symptoms include:

✓ Rash.
✓ Hives.
✓ Itching.
✓ Shortness of breath.
✓ Swelling.
Diagnosis of allergies

There are different types of allergy tests. The most common allergy tests are,

1. Skin prick tests

2. Blood tests.

1. Skin prick (scratch) tests

Skin prick (scratch) tests can identify the allergens that cause your allergy
symptoms. An allergist will use a thin needle to prick your skin with a tiny amount
of different possible allergens. They then check to see if your skin reacts to the
allergen.

2. Blood (IgE) tests

Blood (IgE) tests can also identify allergies. However, they’re not as sensitive as
skin prick tests. Blood tests evaluate IgE antibodies that your immune system
produces against a specific protein.
What can/can’t I eat/drink if one have food allergies?

If one have food allergies, he/she should avoid any products that contain the allergens.
By law, manufacturers must include all ingredients on the label of packaged foods for
sale in the United States.

One should also consider other possible food allergy exposures. Some nonfood items
may contain food allergens, and labeling laws don’t apply to nonfood items.

During the manufacturing process, some food items share equipment or surfaces. On
should look for labels that state whether the product shared equipment with possible
food allergens.
Prevention

Preventing allergic reactions depends on the type of allergy you have. General measures
include the following:

• Stay away from known triggers. One have to do this even one get treatment for their
allergy symptoms.

• People who are allergic to pollen, he/she should stay inside with windows and doors
closed when pollen is high.

• If anyone has allergic to dust he/she should vacuum and wash bedding often. One can
also use "mite-proof" covers for items such as pillows, comforters, mattresses and box
springs.

• One should keep a diary. When trying to figure out what causes their allergic symptoms
or makes them worse, track their activities and what they eat. Also need to note when
symptoms happen and what seems to help. This may help them and their healthcare
professional find their triggers.

• Wear a medical alert bracelet. If one had a severe allergic reaction, wear a medical alert
bracelet or necklace. It lets others know that they have a serious allergy in case they
have a reaction and they are not able to speak.