Allergies are becoming increasingly common in the modern world. Researchers aren’t entirely sure why, but it seems to have something to do with the modern environment. Possible causes include problems with our nutrition, spending too much time indoors, and living in hyper-sterile environments.
What Are Allergies?
Allergies are immune responses that follow exposure to a specific stimulus. The body believes that the agent causing the reaction is a threat and so begins to marshall its defenses against it. However, in many cases, the threat isn’t real, so the immune response serves no purpose.
As mentioned above, researchers aren’t entirely sure what causes allergic reactions. However, you are more likely to experience them if a family member also has an allergy.
What Causes Allergic Reactions?
There are many causes of allergic reactions, some of which require urgent care. These include mold spores, pollen, nuts and peanuts, shellfish, some medications, dust mites and bee stings. Plants are also a source of potential allergic reactions, such as poison ivy.
What Symptoms Indicate An Allergy?
The range of allergic reactions to these substances in the environment is quite extensive. They range from mild to severe.
On the mild side, people may experience rashes, hives and itching of the skin. These reactions are quite common among people with allergies to bee stings, plants and various medications.
Other people experience allergic rhinitis. This is where the nose becomes inflamed in response to pollen or other airborne particles. Watery and itchy eyes are common in people with hayfever.
In some cases, allergic reactions can be more severe. For instance, people with serious medical conditions may experience nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramping, wheezing, flushing of the face, and swelling on various parts of their body. In some cases, they may have breathing difficulties or their heart might stop.
Medics call sudden on-set allergic reactions that block the airways “anaphylaxis.” This occurs when the airway swells and narrows the opening to the lungs.
How Do Doctors Test For Allergies?
Doctors use a range of tests to check for allergies. One of the most common is the skin test. Here, they apply a small quantity of the suspected allergen to your skin to see if there is a reaction. If there is a reaction, then it suggests that the body views it as a threat and is likely to mount an attempt to eliminate it.
Skin tests are most useful for things like food allergies, allergies to pet dander, pollen and mold, and venom allergies. You can also use them to see if you have an allergy to the antibiotic, penicillin.
Doctors may also recommend a challenge test. Here, you remove the suspected allergen from your diet for several weeks before introducing it again and watching for a reaction.
Doctors can do blood tests as well. These look for specific antibodies which might suggest that your body has a certain intolerance to individual harmful substances.
Mia Guerra
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