Are you allergic too? Let's talk about it all! (Allergic Reaction)

Do you sometimes itch all over your body for no reason? Or do you sneeze constantly? Do you have a runny nose ? Do your eyes get red and itchy? You've probably had one of these too. Most of the time, we call this an " allergy ." What exactly is an allergy? Why does it happen to some people? Let's get to the bottom of this in simple terms.

Why do we get allergies?

To understand this, we first need to understand the amazing defense system that our body has. That is our immune system . Like an army defending a country, this system protects our body from diseases, especially from external enemies like bacteria and viruses.

But sometimes our immune system goes awry. They mistake even harmless, common things for a big threat and start attacking them. Think of pollen, dust, certain foods (like shrimp and shellfish), and animal dander. It's when our immune system overreacts to something that's not really harmful that we call an allergy .

We call a substance that causes an allergy in this way an allergen .

So, when something you're allergic to (an allergen) enters your body, your immune system produces special proteins called 'antibodies'. These antibodies go and give our body's cells a 'signal' saying, "Stop that thing!" Then those cells release chemicals like histamine . That histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of an allergy, such as itching, hives, runny nose, and red eyes.

What are the common things that cause allergies in many people?

Although it's not clear exactly why some people develop allergies, it has been found that family history (genetics) plays a major role in this. This means that if your mother or father has allergies, you are more likely to develop them too.

The table below lists some common things that can cause allergies in many people.

What are the symptoms of an allergy?

The symptoms of an allergy can range from a minor annoyance to a serious, life-threatening condition, depending on how your body reacts and the amount of allergen that has entered your body.

Hay Fever / Allergic Rhinitis

This is the most common allergic condition.

• Continuous sneezing
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Itchy eyes, nose, or upper palate
• Redness, swelling, and tearing of the eyes. (This is also called Allergic Conjunctivitis )

Food Allergies

• Numbness inside the mouth
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face
• Itchy skin rash (Hives)
• In some severe cases, difficulty breathing and the most serious condition, anaphylaxis, can occur.

Eczema (Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis)

This is a skin condition. Eczema is not an allergy. However, eczema can worsen when something you are allergic to enters your body. It is characterized by redness, itching, and peeling of the skin.

Insect Stings

If you are allergic to an animal like a bee,

• Large swelling around the puncture site (this is called edema )
• Itching or rash all over the body
• Difficulty breathing, feeling like your chest is constricted

Anaphylaxis: The most serious condition that can be life-threatening

While most people experience mild symptoms when they develop an allergy, some people can experience a very severe, even life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis .

This condition can occur very suddenly. It can start with a minor itch and within minutes can progress to more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, throat tightness, swelling of the entire body, nausea, vomiting, and fainting. Sometimes the heart rate can even stop.

This condition is especially likely to occur due to food, certain medications, and insect bites.

If you have had a severe allergic reaction in the past, your doctor will likely recommend that you carry an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen) with you at all times. This is a life-saving medication that you can inject yourself in an emergency.

What should you do if you or someone else is showing symptoms of anaphylaxis?

1. If you have an Epinephrine auto-injector nearby, use it immediately.

2. Then , without delay, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or call 1990 to call an ambulance. Even if you are given an epinephrine injection, hospitalization is mandatory because sometimes a second reaction can occur a few hours later.

How to get relief from allergies?

The first and best thing is to identify your triggers and avoid them as much as possible.

For mild to moderate allergies, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines , nasal sprays, or an inhaler if you have asthma caused by allergies.

If allergen avoidance and medication don't help, your doctor may recommend a treatment called immunotherapy (allergy shots). This is a short-term treatment, but it can provide long-term relief.

Allergy, Allergic Reaction, Anaphylaxis, Skin Rash, Sneezing, Treatment