Allergies

• An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system reacts to a usually harmless substance.
• The body releases chemicals like histamine when the immune system reacts to pathogens.
• The IgE or Immunoglobulin E antibody causes the body to have allergic reactions.
• Antibodies combat foreign substances in the body.
• IgE or Immunoglobulin E is released to destroy the allergen and causes the production of chemicals such as histamine.
• Histamine causes tightening of muscles in airways and walls of blood vessels.
• Common allergens include:

  Animal dander

  Food

  Plant pollen

  Medicines

  Molds

  Chemicals
• Eggs, fish, milk, nuts, and soy sauce are common food allergens.
• Penicillin, aspirin, and herbal medications are common medicinal allergens.
• Mushrooms and mold spores are common mold allergens.
• Industrial and household cleaning products are common chemical allergens.
• Common allergy symptoms include:

  Rashes

  Sneezing

  Inflammation

  Coughing

  Diarrhea
• Anaphylaxis is a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction.
• Anaphylaxis happens when the blood vessels expand and leak, greatly lowering the blood pressure, causing the eyelids, lips, and throat to swell, making it hard to breathe.
• There's no cure for allergies, but medicines like antihistamines and decongestants reduce the symptoms.
• Epinephrine pens help people with anaphylaxis to breathe.
• Epinephrine or adrenaline opens the airways by reducing the swelling and raising the blood pressure, making it easier to breathe.
• Rare allergies include:

  Aquagenic Urticaria

  Photosensitivity

  Cold Urticaria

  Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis

  Cholinergic Urticaria

  Nickel Allergy
• Aquagenic Urticaria is allergy to water.
• Photosensitivity is allergy to the sun.
• Cold Urticaria is allergy to the cold.
• Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis is when anaphylaxis is triggered when doing physical activities.
• Cholinergic Urticaria is allergy to sweat.
• Nickel Allergy is allergy to coins.
• Symptoms of allergy depend on the type of allergen and its port of entry.
• Rhinitis and Conjunctivitis are common allergies.
• Rhinitis and Conjunctivitis affect 1/5 people worldwide and are commonly related to asthma.
• Conjunctivitis symptoms include itchy and watery red eyes.
• Rhinitis symptoms include itching, continuous sneezing, nasal obstruction, nasal drip or rhinorrhea, and stuffed nose.
• Rhinorrhea is nasal drip or runny nose.
• Allergic asthma symptoms include coughing, suffocation, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
• Atopic dermatitis symptoms include rash on skin folds.
• Urticaria symptoms include swelling or wheals and itching or rash.
• Angiodema symptoms include swelling of eyelids, lips, and limbs.
• Edema of the glottis is when edema is on the tongue or larynx.
• Edema of the glottis may lead of asphyxia if not treated immediately.
• Contact dermatitis symptoms include rashes on skin with contact.
• Hypotension is low blood pressure.
• Anaphylaxis symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.
• Allergy testing include:

  Blood test

  Skin prick test

  Patch test