Have you noticed that you have certain reactions when you are in some environments or when you eat certain foods? Then you might have an allergy.
Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance. The body releases a chemical known as histamine that causes the symptoms of allergies. However, people react differently to allergies, and can have a range of reactions, from mild to severe.
Allergies symptoms can be as minor as a rash or severe enough to land you in an emergency room. Substances that cause allergies are known as allergens. Allergies cannot be cured, however, you can control the symptoms. Let’s take a look at some common causes of allergies.
Pollen
Flowers, trees, and grasses produce a powdery substance known as pollen which aids in the fertilization in plants. This powdery substance can cause allergic reactions in certain people.
A pollen allergy can also be referred to as hay fever. People who have pollen allergies typically do not like flowers, since they can trigger an allergic reaction such as sneezing, stuffy nose or watery eyes.
If you have an allergic reaction when you receive flowers as gifts, you might be allergic to pollen. The most effective way to avoid this allergy is to always stay indoors, but this is not ideal. Thankfully, there are many over-the-counter medications available that can help control the symptoms. Visit your doctor if you think you have a pollen allergy. There are a lot of resources online if you want to learn more about flowers that cause allergies.
Pet Dander
Our fluffy friends can also cause allergies. Cats and dogs can trigger allergic reactions, although cat allergies are more common. If you have family members who are allergic to certain animals, you might also have the same issue, since some allergic reactions are genetic. Symptoms of this cause of allergy include itching around the eyes, wheezing, and coughing.
It is important to note that you don’t need to have pets in your home to have a reaction to a cat or dog. If you have an interaction with someone who has been around cats and dogs, for example, your immune system might still react to it.
Ideally, if you are allergic to certain animals, you should avoid keeping them as pets. This can be hard, especially if you are fond of them. Medications can help, so speak to your doctor about your options.
Bee Stings
Bee stings can be painful, however, they shouldn’t trigger a serious reaction. If you notice that you have a severe reaction after a bee or wasp sting, then you may be allergic.
Bee sting allergies can cause a condition known as anaphylaxis. This can be deadly if you do not receive medical attention immediately.
If you live in an area close to active beehives, you might be at risk of developing an allergy to bee stings as well. Bee sting allergies occur more in adults than in children and symptoms include swelling and itching around the area where you got stung.
Tree Nuts and Peanuts
This is perhaps one of the most common causes of allergic reactions. Types of tree nuts include pecans, almonds, pine nuts, and hazelnuts. You can be allergic to more than one type of tree nut.
It is important to note that tree nuts are different from peanuts, though peanuts can also cause allergies. Ingesting even a tiny amount of nuts can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
Itching of the mouth, throat, skin and other parts of the body, difficulty in breathing, and nasal congestion are some symptoms of nut allergies. If your body reacts to any type of nut, you should stay away from them completely until you can confirm which ones you are allergic to.
If you mistakenly eat nuts, you should seek medical help immediately after you realize you are having an allergic reaction. Delay in getting medical attention can be fatal.
Certain Medications
Although most drugs have some side effects, some people are actually allergic to common medications such as penicillin. Another difference is that side effects rarely involve the immune system, however, drug allergies always involve the immune system.
Let’s look at how drug allergies happen. Usually, our immune system fights foreign materials such as bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances in the body.
When your immune system sees a drug that you take in as a harmful substance, it creates antibodies to fight it. This results in reactions such as a fever, rash, or irregular heartbeat.
A drug allergy can be very mild such that it doesn’t produce any reactions, or it can be severe. If it is severe, you will need immediate medical attention. If you notice you have an allergic reaction to a particular drug, you should stay away from it completely.
There is no known cure for allergies, however, being able to identify when your body is having an allergic reaction can save your life.
Staying away from certain animals or substances that trigger your allergies may not be easy, however, it can protect your body from reactions that can be as mild as a rash or as severe as anaphylaxis. Ultimately, it’s important to take note of how your body reacts to certain environments or substances to help you know if you have an allergic reaction.
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