Are you allergic to these things too? Let's learn more about allergies.

Do you sometimes itch for no reason? Do you feel like you have a cold and your nose is stuffy? It could be because of something you don't even think about. We call this an 'allergy'. Many people don't know much about it. So let's talk about it in detail today, because it affects a lot of people.

What exactly is this allergy?

Simply put, an allergy is an unwanted reaction of our body's immune system. Think of it this way: our body has a defense system, we call it the immune system . It's like an army that protects a country. This system fights germs, bacteria, and viruses that come from outside and prevents us from getting sick. But sometimes, when things that are actually harmless to us – for example, pollen, dust, and certain foods – enter our body, our immune system mistakenly thinks that this is a big enemy. Then it starts an unnecessary fight against it. That's why we simply call it an allergy. This reaction is what causes us to have various symptoms, such as itching and sneezing.

What are the common allergies we can develop?

There are countless things we can be allergic to, but here are a few of the most common:

• Bee venom and other insect stings: Some people can be severely allergic to stings from animals like wasps and hornets.
• Dust mites: These are tiny creatures that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. They live in the dust in our homes. They are common in mattresses, pillows, and carpets.
• Foods: Some people are allergic to foods like milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, fish, shrimp, and crab.
• Medications: Some medications, such as painkillers and antibiotics, can also cause allergies.
• Molds: Molds that grow in damp places, such as on old walls, can cause allergies if inhaled.
• Pets: Some people are allergic to the fur, saliva, and dead skin cells of animals like dogs and cats. Imagine, after touching a cat at your friend's house, you start sneezing and your eyes get red. That means you may be allergic to cat dander.
• Contact dermatitis reactions: Some chemicals, soaps, metals (such as nickel), and some plants can cause a rash when they come into contact with the skin .
• Pollen: This is the main cause of colds and itchy eyes in many people during the spring season.

What are the symptoms of an allergy?

These symptoms can vary from person to person, and also depend on what you are allergic to. Check out this list:

• Skin irritation, rash, or hives.
• Itching.
• Sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose.
• Difficulty breathing, such as coughing and wheezing.
• Itchy, watery eyes.
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Low blood pressure.

Now, if you touch something you are allergic to, you may only get a skin rash. But if you inhale something like pollen or animal dander, you will most likely experience a runny nose and sneezing. Allergies to foods, medications, wasp venom, and other things can be quite severe. They can even cause your throat to swell and make it difficult to breathe. We call this ``Anaphylaxis.'' This is an emergency and needs immediate treatment.

How long does this allergy last?

These symptoms usually last for as long as you are exposed to the allergen. Some allergies start within minutes. Others appear hours or days later. Symptoms usually go away within a few hours after you have been exposed to the allergen. However, some skin allergies, such as contact dermatitis, can last for weeks.

Why do we get these allergies?

Our immune system mistakes proteins in otherwise harmless things like pollen, animal dander, some medications, and foods for something dangerous, like a virus or bacteria. Then, when we breathe these things in, eat them, or touch them, our body thinks this is a big problem and needs to get rid of them. That's when the symptoms mentioned earlier appear.

The important thing is that an allergy usually does not occur after being exposed to something just once. When we are exposed for the first time, our body recognizes it as something foreign and makes special proteins, called antibodies, against it. We call this process ``sensitization.`` Then, if the same substance enters the body again, those antibodies that were made are activated and give the immune system a signal, ``Here comes the enemy, attack.'' That's when the allergy symptoms appear.

Who is at higher risk of developing this allergy?

Although this can happen to anyone, some people are at higher risk:

• If either of your parents has allergies: There is a genetic influence.
• For those with conditions like asthma or eczema: These conditions are related. This is also commonly called atopy.

How do doctors diagnose allergies?

If you have allergy symptoms, a doctor can confirm it by doing some tests.

• Skin test: This involves applying a small amount of the substance you think you may be allergic to to your skin, making a small incision, and then inserting it through the skin. If the area becomes red, swollen, and itchy within 15-20 minutes, it means you are allergic to that substance.
• Blood tests: These check to see if you have specific antibodies (IgE) in your blood that are made against certain allergens.

The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and the things you are exposed to (for example, your job, hobbies, etc.) to determine what tests you need to be tested for.

Sometimes, depending on the allergy you think you have, you may be given breathing tests, drug or food challenge tests, or a patch test. A patch test looks for a delayed reaction on the skin that occurs after a few days.

What are the treatments for allergies?

The first and best thing is to stay as far away from the things you are allergic to as possible. This is especially important if your allergy is severe enough to cause anaphylaxis.

However, it's difficult to completely avoid things like dust and pollen that are everywhere. In such cases, your doctor may recommend that you take certain medications daily or undergo certain treatments regularly. These can help reduce your symptoms or reduce the risk of a severe reaction.

Depending on your allergies, the following may be recommended:

• Antihistamines: Examples include medicines like Fexofenadine (Allegra®), Loratadine (Claritin®), and Cetirizine (Zyrtec®). These work by blocking a chemical called histamine, which is released during an allergic reaction.
• Steroid nasal sprays: Examples include Flonase® and Nasacort®. These reduce swelling, congestion, and runny nose.
• Leukotriene modifiers: Medications like Montelukast can also help control allergy symptoms, especially in people with asthma.
• Omalizumab (Xolair®) injections: These are used for some food allergies and chronic hives.
• Allergy immunotherapy: This involves slowly introducing very small amounts of the allergen into your body over time, allowing your body to adapt to it. This can be done as an injection (Allergy shots), as a tablet placed under the tongue (Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)), or as an oral treatment (Oral immunotherapy (OIT)). This is a long-term treatment that is done under the supervision of a specialist.

If you have an allergy that can cause a severe allergic reaction, your doctor will tell you to always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen® or Auvi-Q®) with you. You should use it at the first sign of a severe allergic reaction.

When should I see a doctor or go to the emergency room?

If you have allergy symptoms and want to know the exact cause, see a doctor. Your primary care provider may refer you to a specialist, such as an allergist or dermatologist, for further testing.

But if you experience any of these symptoms, you should go to a hospital emergency room immediately, or call 1990:

• Rapid swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest tightness.
• Hives that spread rapidly throughout the body.
• Numbness of hands, feet, lips.
• A feeling of weakness, dizziness, fainting.
• A feeling of great fear, a feeling of impending doom.

What can I expect if I have allergies?

The type of allergy you have will determine what you will have to deal with. Seasonal allergies, such as pollen allergies and pet allergies, are usually annoying but not life-threatening. However, allergies to things like food, medicine, and wasp venom can be a bit more severe. If you have one of these allergies, you should always carry an epinephrine injector with you.

What can I do to get relief when I have allergy symptoms?

Even during treatment, if allergy symptoms are bothersome at times, you may find some relief with these things:

• Oral decongestants (as directed by a doctor) or saline rinses can be used to relieve nasal congestion and runny nose.
• To relieve itching and redness of the eyes, dab them with a clean cloth soaked in ice water or use eye drops (as directed by a doctor) for allergies.
• Take a shower and wear new clothes (especially after coming from outside) to remove any allergens that may be lingering on your body.
• Use hypoallergenic or fragrance-free lotions to reduce skin itching and rashes.

Can allergies be prevented?

There's really no way to prevent an allergy from developing in the first place. But if you already have an allergy, here are some things you can do to help prevent reactions:

• Stop touching or licking animals you are allergic to. Change clothes after handling such animals. (Don't let them into your bedroom, on your bed, or on your chairs. Don't touch their toys.)
• Vacuum carpets and rugs regularly to remove allergens such as dust, pet dander, and pollen. Wipe away dust with a damp cloth.
• It would be good if you could use ``High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air filters`` to remove allergens from the air.
• Keep the windows closed during the peak of the flower season.
• Change the filters in your home's HVAC system on a regular basis.

If you have a food allergy, read food labels carefully. Keep only foods you are not allergic to in your home. Only eat from places you are sure you can eat without any problems. Be sure to inform your doctor about your allergies when eating out.

Do allergies change with age?

Yes, allergies can change with age. It depends on how much you're exposed to an allergen, changes in your immune system, and other factors.

Sometimes, existing allergies can get worse. Or, allergies that have gone away may come back. Other times, existing allergies can get better over time – for example, if you are allergic to cats, your allergy may decrease if you spend more time around them (this is called ``tolerance'', but this doesn't happen to everyone). Also, some people can develop new allergies as they get older.

Finally, I have to tell you this...

Allergies are a part of everyday life for millions of people around the world. For some, it's normal to get a runny nose and sneezing every spring. For others, it's a struggle to keep their skin clear of the beloved dog next door. Food and drug allergies are a bit more serious – meaning you need to read food labels carefully and be careful with new medications.

But remember, there are many things you can do to control your allergies. If you have any questions or concerns about this, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. That way, you can know exactly what's best for you.

I hope this information is useful to you. Stay healthy!

Allergies , symptoms, treatment, skin diseases, breathing difficulties, immune system, (Anaphylaxis)