Scratch and Sniff – 5 of the Most Common Allergies

An allergic reaction is triggered when the immune system in the human body overreacts to a harmless substance entering the body. Allergies are most common in children and can diminish with age. Here are 5 of the most common allergies.

Pollen

Pollen allergy is sometimes known as ‘hay fever’ and, in medical terms, ‘seasonal allergic rhinitis’ because it is most common in certain seasons of the year. Some people are only allergic to the pollen of a specific plant and will only experience hay fever in the months that specific plant releases pollen. Pollen allergy is one of the most common allergies in the USA.

Trees, grass, flowers, and weeds release pollen grains into the air when they wish to fertilize fellow species of plant. These pollen grains will enter a person’s nasal passages when they breathe in air, and their body’s immune system will go into fight mode if it mistakes the pollen for a harmful substance. Chemicals are produced in the body to fight the pollen and protect the body from infection or serious damage.

When a person experiences an allergic reaction to pollen, they may develop symptoms such as nasal congestion, watery and itchy eyes, a dry throat, runny nose, sinus pressure and pain, cough, swollen eyelids, and a cough.

If you think you may be allergic to pollen, contact your doctor or local OKC doctors offices for some advice on how to treat the condition. Your doctor may prescribe antihistamines such as Zyrtec or Benadryl, decongestants such as Sudafed or Afrin Nasal spray, or medicines such as Claritin and Actifed, which are antihistamine and decongestant combined. If these treatments do not successfully suppress the allergy, a doctor may prescribe allergy shots.

Dust Mites

People shed skin cells every day. They drop off our bodies without us even noticing and fall to the floor creating piles of dust. Minute spider-like bugs feed off this dead skin and set up home in it. Dust mites leave excrement all over our house, and when we breathe this in, our body may react with an allergic response and cause us to sneeze excessively, develop a runny nose, itchy eyes and skin, a cough, and a scratchy throat. Suffering from these symptoms will make sleeping difficult and will lead to exhaustion.

People who have asthma may experience additional symptoms, some of which may be pretty serious. They may experience shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, or tightness. They may even have a severe asthma attack, so it is imperative that a doctor prescribes suitable medication to ease the symptoms. Medicines used to treat dust mite allergies include antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, and decongestants.

Sufferers can take steps in their homes to reduce dust mites. Washing bedding and a high temperature at least once a week will reduce dust mites, as will using anti-allergy pillows, bedcovers, and quilts. Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and dust all surfaces, and keep clutter to a minimum.

Food

Allergic reactions to food are triggered when the body’s immune system mistakes proteins in certain foods for harmful substances. The body releases chemicals in defense of the invasion, resulting in physical symptoms such as vomiting, facial swelling, rash, and an itching sensation in the nose, throat, and ears. The eyes, lips, tongue, and roof of the mouth can swell, making it difficult for the person to breathe.

Foods most likely to cause an allergic reaction include peanuts, shellfish, wheat, eggs, milk, fish, soy, gelatin, meat, seeds, and certain spices. It is common for people who suffer from asthma, eczema, and hay fever to develop food allergies. Food allergies are common in children under three years of age and usually disappear when they reach school age.

If you know what foods you are allergic to, it’s vital that you avoid them. However, this is not always possible so, a doctor will prescribe antihistamines for mild to moderate allergic reactions. For more severe allergies, a person will be treated with adrenaline and asked to carry an adrenaline-filled injector pen with them at all times in case of emergencies. A severe reaction can result in anaphylactic shock, which causes blood pressure to drop, airways to narrow, pulse to weaken but speed up, and a skin rash to develop.

Animal Allergy

Sadly, some people can develop an allergy to their pet. Animal skin, hair, urine, and saliva contain proteins that can cause a person’s immune system to go into attack mode. After exposure to an animal, a person may develop itchy, runny eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, and a runny nose.

It is essential to keep loose pet hair around the house to a minimum by vacuuming and dusting carpets, flooring, air ducts, and all surfaces daily. Limit clutter so the hair has fewer items to land on and cling to. Steam cleaning carpets is an effective way to eradicate animal dander, as is it gets to the heart of the problem, as does bathing and brushing your pet on a daily basis.

If you do not have a pet and want one, there are breeds of dogs and cats which have coats that are less likely to cause allergies. Poodles do not shed their coats, so purebred poodles and mixed breed dogs crossed with poodles are considered suitable options for people inclined towards allergic reactions.

Latex

Latex is used to make disposable gloves, condoms, shoes, tires, and balloons. It can cause people to develop allergies as it is tree sap that contains proteins.

Allergic reactions will develop immediately when a person’s skin comes in contact with the latex. Hives and a red swollen rash will develop within the hour on the part of the body that came in contact with the latex product, such as the lips when blowing up a balloon or on the hands as a result of wearing rubber gloves. Occasionally, people can suffer from a severe reaction to latex and have to carry an adrenaline pen in case of an emergency.

People with latex allergies should use PVC or nitrile disposable gloves if they work in a profession that requires them to be worn, such as scientific jobs, medical positions, and hairdressing.