However, the specific symptoms will depend on the type of allergen. For example, allergic reactions may occur in the gut, skin, sinuses, airways, eyes, or nasal passages.
Anaphylaxis is the severest form of allergic reaction. It is a medical emergency and can be life threatening. Anaphylaxis can develop quickly, with symptoms appearing within minutes or hours of exposure to the allergen. Research suggests that anaphylaxis most commonly affects the skin and respiratory system. Learn more about the symptoms of anaphylactic shock here. When an allergic reaction occurs, allergens bind to antibodies that the body produces called immunoglobin E IgE.
Antibodies combat foreign and potentially harmful substances in the body. Once the allergen binds to IgE, specific types of cells — including mast cells — will release chemicals that trigger the symptoms of the allergic reaction.
Histamine is one of these chemicals. It causes the muscles in the airways and walls of the blood vessels to tighten. It also instructs the lining of the nose to produce more mucus. People may have a higher risk of allergies if they are under 18 years old or have a personal or family history of asthma or allergies. In theory, a person can have an allergy to any food.
Specific components — such as gluten, the protein present in wheat — can also trigger reactions. The eight foods most likely to cause allergies are:. Learn more about food allergies here. If a person believes that they may have an allergy, their doctor will be able to help them identify what is causing the reaction.
The best way to manage an allergy is to avoid the allergen, but this is not always possible. In these cases, medical treatment can help. Many treatments are available over the counter.
Before using a medication, however, a person should speak to a pharmacist or doctor. Try to identify the allergen and have the person avoid further contact with it. If the person develops an itchy rash, apply cool compresses and an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.
Watch the person for signs of increasing distress. Get medical help. For a mild reaction, a health care provider may recommend over-the-counter medicines, such as antihistamines. Call or the local emergency number. Calm and reassure the person. If the allergic reaction is from a bee sting, scrape the stinger off the skin with something firm such as a fingernail or plastic credit card.
Do not use tweezers -- squeezing the stinger will release more venom. If the person has injectable emergency allergy medicine Epinephrine , administer it at the beginning of a reaction. Do not wait to see if the reaction gets worse. Avoid oral medicine if the person is having difficulty breathing.
Take steps to prevent shock. Have the person lie flat, raise the person's feet about 12 inches 30 centimeters , and cover them with a coat or blanket. Do not place the person in this position if a head, neck, back, or leg injury is suspected or if it causes discomfort. If a person is having an allergic reaction: Do not assume that any allergy shots the person has already received will provide complete protection.
Do not place a pillow under the person's head if he or she is having trouble breathing. This can block the airways. In severe cases, you may experience a drop in blood pressure that results in a loss of consciousness and shock. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical treatment, including an injection of epinephrine and a trip to a hospital emergency room.
If it is not treated properly, anaphylaxis can be fatal. To determine if you have an allergy, your allergist will take a thorough medical history and do a physical exam. He or she may perform allergy skin testing, or sometimes blood testing, to determine which substance is causing your allergy.
Once your allergy triggers are identified, your allergist can help you establish a treatment plan that is right for you. In many instances, allergy immunotherapy in the form of shots or tablets is an effective, cost-efficient long term treatment approach. While there is not yet a cure for allergic disease, your allergist can properly diagnose the problem and develop a plan to help you feel better and live better. If you or anyone you are with begin to show the symptoms of anaphylaxis, call for medical help to get to the closest emergency room.
Feel Better. Live Better. The right care can make the difference between suffering with an allergic disease and feeling better. By visiting an allergist, you can expect an accurate diagnosis, a treatment plan that works and educational information to help you manage your disease. Back to Health A to Z.
An allergy is a reaction the body has to a particular food or substance. Allergies are very common. They're thought to affect more than 1 in 4 people in the UK at some point in their lives.
They're particularly common in children. Some allergies go away as a child gets older, although many are lifelong. Adults can develop allergies to things they were not previously allergic to. Having an allergy can be a nuisance and affect your everyday activities, but most allergic reactions are mild and can be largely kept under control.
Most of these allergens are generally harmless to people who are not allergic to them. Allergic reactions usually happen quickly within a few minutes of exposure to an allergen. Most allergic reactions are mild, but occasionally a severe reaction called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock can occur.
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