"I can't see it, I'm allergic!" We joke about people who don't fit in with us, right? Just as we get bored of people when they don't fit in with our ideas, we call an allergy the body's aversion to certain external substances that don't fit our body.
When I talk about this allergy, I am reminded of an incident that happened to my close friend Rumesh when I was studying at the Colombo Medical Faculty.
One day, a group of us went to a hotel near the campus, happy to have completed a big assignment. We ordered a new special rice from there. After we got the food, we were talking and savoring it, when Rumesh suddenly said, "Oh, my mouth just feels weird."
As soon as we looked, Rumesh's lips were swollen, her entire body was covered in red spots, and her eyes were red. What was even more frightening was when Rumesh started to cry out, "I can't breathe, doctor." Rumesh had a pineapple allergy. Because the rice had pineapple in it, she developed anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Luckily, another friend of ours had an adrenaline (epinephrine) injection, so we injected it right at the hotel and quickly took Rumeshi to the hospital. That saved Rumeshi's life that day.
So today we'll talk about why these allergies occur and how we should act in such an emergency.
What are allergies?
An allergy is a condition caused by a misunderstanding in our immune system.
When a foreign substance, such as dust, pollen, food, or medicine, that normally does not harm our body enters our body, our immune system mistakenly perceives it as an enemy (something harmful). It then produces an antibody called IgE (Immunoglobulin E) to fight it. This is the chemical reaction that occurs in the body that causes these allergic symptoms.
Common types of allergies
- Food allergies: Allergies caused by foods such as peanuts, eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, and fruits such as pineapple.
- Hay Fever: Sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes caused by breathing in dust, animal fur, or pollen from flowers in the air.
- Skin allergies (Atopic Dermatitis): Itchy and red rashes on the skin caused by contact with various chemicals, soaps, or fabrics.
- Drug allergy: An allergy caused by antibiotics such as penicillin or some painkillers.
- Insect stings: Allergies caused by bee, wasp, hornet, or ant stings.
How to recognize the symptoms of an allergy?
The severity of an allergy varies from person to person.
1. Minor symptoms
- Sneezing
- Runny and itchy nose
- Redness and tearing of the eyes
- Minor skin rashes
2. Moderate symptoms
- Vomiting or stomach ache
- Red welts all over the body (Hives)
- Mild shortness of breath
3. Serious symptoms (Anaphylaxis)
- Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat
- Severe difficulty breathing (a wheezing sound coming from the chest)
- Rapid drop in blood pressure
- Dizziness, fainting, and loss of consciousness
> [!IMPORTANT]
> Anaphylaxis is a serious medical emergency that can be life-threatening within minutes. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should immediately provide first aid to the patient and take them to the nearest hospital.
Tests to diagnose allergies
A doctor will order these tests to identify the exact factor that is causing your allergy:
1. Skin Prick Test: A small amount of the suspected substance is taken, a skin prick is applied, and the reaction is observed.
2. IgE Blood Test: A blood sample is taken and tested for the presence of IgE antibodies against specific substances.
What are the treatments for allergies?
1. Avoidance of allergens
The best treatment for allergies is to identify the substances you dislike and completely avoid them.
2. Drug treatment
Antihistamine tablets or nasal sprays can be used for mild to moderate symptoms as directed by a doctor.
3. Emergency adrenaline injection (EpiPen / Epinephrine)
People with severe allergies are advised by doctors to always carry an auto-injector called an EpiPen (Epinephrine Auto-injector) to protect their lives. In the event of anaphylaxis, injecting this directly into the patient's thigh can instantly relieve breathing difficulties and save lives.
Do's & Don'ts
| ✔️ Things to do (Do) | ❌ Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Tell family and friends about the foods or medicines you are allergic to. | Do not take any allergy medication without telling a doctor. |
| Always carry an EpiPen with you if you have severe allergies. | When you have difficulty breathing while coughing, don't ignore it as a normal discomfort. |
| Read the ingredients carefully before buying a food. | People with dust allergies should not work without a face mask when cleaning the house. |
| In case of an emergency, immediately take the patient to the nearest hospital. | Do not take allergy pills from pharmacies for a long time without a doctor's prescription. |
❓ Some other questions you may have (FAQ)
Do childhood allergies go away as you get older? ▼
Yes, some children outgrow childhood allergies to milk, eggs, wheat, and soy by the age of 5-10. However, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish are often lifelong.
Can someone develop allergies at any age? ▼
Yes, allergies can develop at any age. Even something you previously ate without any problems can cause an allergic reaction later due to hormonal changes in the body, changes in the environment, or changes in the immune system.
How to use an EpiPen? ▼
In case of an emergency, remove the protective cap from the EpiPen and press the tip of the needle against the patient's outer thigh. Hold for 3-10 seconds until you hear a click. Then remove the injection and gently massage the area.
Can allergies be completely cured? ▼
Although it cannot be completely cured, immunotherapy, performed under medical advice, can greatly reduce the severity of the allergy by gradually exposing the body to the relevant allergen.
Scientific sources (References)
- 📚 Allergies - National Health Service (NHS) Guidelines
- 📚 Adrenaline (epinephrine) for the treatment of anaphylaxis with and without shock - PubMed Central (PMC)
- 📚 Who Needs Epinephrine? Anaphylaxis, Autoinjectors, and Parachutes - PubMed Central (PMC)
The most important take-home message
- An allergy is a misunderstanding that occurs when the immune system's IgE antibodies overreact by mistaking a harmless substance that enters the body from the outside as an enemy.
- Anaphylaxis is a very dangerous allergic emergency that causes swelling of the lips/throat, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness, and requires immediate first aid with an adrenaline (Epinephrine/EpiPen) injection.
- Identifying and avoiding things you are allergic to and seeking medical advice before an emergency occurs is the best way to save your life.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment