Our immune system believes that these substances are trying to attack the body which results in an overreaction to the foreign substance. This overreaction is called a hypersensitivity reaction, also more commonly known as an allergic reaction.
There are thousands of allergens that can cause an allergic reaction. The most common include, pollen, plants, dust, bee stings, animal dander, food and certain medications.
Allergies to Insect Venom
This form of allergy can be fatal if you do not seek medical attention quickly. Those who are aware that they are allergic to insect venom should carry an Epi Pen (epinephrine auto-injector), in case they are bitten or stung. The most common form of this allergy is bee stings.Allergies to Animals
This allergy is more likely to cause breathing difficulties than other common symptoms. Many people are allergic to animal dander, which is the dead skin of animals. However, luckily many puppies are now bred to be dander free, so they will not affect those with an allergy.Symptoms
Symptoms can vary when having an allergic reaction, as they can be mild to life-threatening. Most are mild and can be dealt with at home.An allergic reaction will commonly result in a rash, red, swollen and watery eyes also known as allergic conjunctivitis and a runny nose. People can also experience hives all over their body.
If you have had a mild reaction you can purchase over the counter antihistamines from your local pharmacy and these will help reduce the symptoms.
However, there are certain allergens like nuts that can cause a severe reaction. An allergy this bad can result in what is known as anaphylaxis. This can be fatal and your body can go into shock.
The most common allergens to result in anaphylaxis are food-related, in particular, nut and seafood allergies. Insect bites and latex can also cause severe reactions.
The symptoms of anaphylaxis can come on suddenly. You may only experience mild symptoms like a rash and think you are fine.
However, in a short space of time, you can experience more severe symptoms ranging from difficulty breathing to nausea, vomiting, fainting and dizziness.
Some people can experience a rapid pulse rate or their heart can stop beating. If these symptoms happen, it is incredibly important to seek medical attention rapidly.
If you experience anaphylaxis you will have to be monitored, as a second anaphylactic episode can happen up to 12 hours after the first one.
Even if you have an Epi Pen for cases like this, which will open your airway and raise your blood pressure. You should still seek medical help, even if you have begun to feel better as you could have a delayed reaction.
If you know you have an allergy, preventing an allergic reaction will be your number one priority, especially if you have a severe allergy.
You should try and avoid allergens as best you can, especially if you have a food allergy. Ensure that you question the ingredients in your food when eating out and always look at food labels.
If you have a serious allergy that could result in anaphylaxis, you should wear a medical ID tag and always make sure that you have emergency medication with you, like a bee sting kit, an Epi Pen or a chewable form of chlorpheniramine.
What Not To Do
If you encounter someone having an allergic reaction, there are certain things you should avoid doing. First, do not assume that if the person has administered an Epi Pen or other allergy shots, that they will be fine, still call for medical assistance.Do not put a pillow under their head as this could block their airway further. Do not try and administer any medication by mouth if they are struggling to breathe, as this can cause choking.
How To Determine If You Have An Allergy.
Most people, if they think they have an allergy will try and avoid their allergy triggers. This is also called allergy prevention. However, if you cannot determine what exactly you are allergic to then you should see an allergist.An allergy specialist will determine what are your triggers are through a series of tests. The first test that can be effective, is skin testing.
This involves exposing the skin to small amounts of different substances such as latex, various foods and medications. Allergens that are the most common.
The specialist will then observe the body's reaction to the different substances.
Another way to test for allergies is specific IgE tests (allergen-specific immunoglobulin). This is a blood test and this type of test can identify IgE antibodies. If the body perceives a threat from an allergen, it produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E.
These IgE antibodies are unique to each allergen so checking for the difference in the blood can help allergy specialists determine whether there is an allergy and what type it is.
The IgE test is useful for children who have had a life-threatening reaction to a specific allergen. As a skin test can be too dangerous, as they are again being exposed to the allergen, even in small doses it could be lethal.
The final way to test for an allergy is to cut out the things that could be giving you a reaction. Then slowly reintroduce them back into your environment to see if a reaction occurs.
In conclusion, if you have a suspicion that you may be allergic to something, it is important to determine first off what it is, that you are allergic to.
You should then determine the severity of the allergy. Is it a mild allergy? or is it life-threatening?. From here you should take the necessary steps to ensure you have a medical Id and purchase an Epi Pen or any other medication to help in case of an allergic reaction.
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