Understanding Different Types of Allergies
Learn about the different types of allergies, their symptoms, and how they can be effectively managed and treated.
Food Allergies
Food allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to certain foods that are typically harmless.
Common Food Allergens
The eight most common food allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. These foods account for about 90% of all food allergies.
Symptoms
Symptoms can range from mild (hives, itching, swelling) to severe (trouble breathing, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness). Severe reactions, known as anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening.
Management
The primary management strategy for food allergies is strict avoidance of the allergen. This requires careful reading of food labels and asking about ingredients when dining out. For severe allergies, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (like an EpiPen) is essential.
Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies, often called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, occur when your immune system reacts to outdoor allergens like pollen.
Common Seasonal Allergens
The most common triggers for seasonal allergies are tree pollen (spring), grass pollen (late spring and summer), and weed pollen (fall, especially ragweed).
Symptoms
Typical symptoms include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, watery and itchy eyes, itchy throat or ears, and postnasal drip. Some people also experience fatigue, irritability, and decreased concentration.
Management
Management strategies include monitoring pollen counts and limiting outdoor activities when counts are high, keeping windows closed during high pollen seasons, using air purifiers, and taking over-the-counter or prescription medications like antihistamines, decongestants, or nasal corticosteroids.
Pet Allergies
Pet allergies are caused by an allergic reaction to proteins found in an animal's skin cells, saliva, or urine.
Common Pet Allergens
Contrary to popular belief, pet allergies are not triggered by animal fur but by proteins in pet dander (dead skin cells), saliva, and urine. Cats and dogs are the most common sources of pet allergies.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, nasal congestion, itchy skin or rash, and in some cases, asthma symptoms like wheezing, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness.
Management
If you have a pet allergy but still want to keep your pet, strategies include keeping the pet out of your bedroom, using HEPA air purifiers, bathing your pet regularly, frequent house cleaning, and considering allergy medications or immunotherapy.
Drug Allergies
Drug allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a medication as if it were a harmful substance.
Common Drug Allergens
The most common drugs that cause allergic reactions are penicillin and related antibiotics, sulfa drugs, anticonvulsants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen.
Symptoms
Symptoms can range from mild (skin rash, hives, itching) to severe (fever, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, severe skin reactions, anaphylaxis). Some drug reactions can cause delayed reactions days or weeks after exposure.
Management
If you suspect you have a drug allergy, it's important to inform all healthcare providers. Wearing a medical alert bracelet is recommended for severe allergies. Your doctor may suggest allergy testing to confirm the allergy or may prescribe alternative medications.
Skin Allergies
Skin allergies occur when your skin comes into contact with an allergen, triggering an immune response that causes skin symptoms.
Common Types of Skin Allergies
The most common skin allergies include contact dermatitis (reaction to something touching the skin), eczema (atopic dermatitis, often hereditary), urticaria (hives), and angioedema (swelling beneath the skin).
Symptoms
Skin allergy symptoms typically include redness, swelling, itching, and rash. The skin may also be dry, cracked, or develop blisters that may ooze or crust over.
Management
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the skin allergy but often includes identifying and avoiding triggers, keeping the skin moisturized, using over-the-counter or prescription topical creams or ointments, and sometimes taking oral medications like antihistamines or corticosteroids.
Insect Sting Allergies
Insect sting allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to the venom from certain insects.
Common Insect Allergens
The most common insects that cause allergic reactions are bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants. Their venom contains proteins that can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Symptoms
Symptoms range from localized reactions (pain, redness, and swelling at the sting site) to severe systemic reactions including hives, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness, stomach cramps, and anaphylaxis which can be life-threatening.
Management
For those with known insect allergies, avoiding exposure is crucial. Carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) is recommended for those with severe allergies. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be effective in reducing sensitivity to insect stings over time.