What Are Allergies?

mast cell An allergy is your body’s response by your immune system to a substance that is usually harmless. The immune system is a highly complex defense mechanism that helps us fight infection. It does this by identifying “foreign invaders” and then stimulating the body’s white blood cells to fight them off. In some people, the immune system wrongly identifies a substance as harmful and so the person’s own white blood cells overreact and do some damage to the body. Sounds confusing? It is a very complicated process. The allergic response becomes a disease in itself. No one really knows why some people are very allergic, although it seems to run in families. Common responses are: sneezing, nasal congestion, runny or itchy nose, itchy eyes, hives, headache, and fatigue.

The substances that provoke an allergic response are called allergens. Almost any substance can cause an allergic reaction. The most common ones are: pollen, dust, animal dander, animal hair, mold, medications, and food.

The medical term for nasal allergy symptoms is allergic rhinitis. (“Rhinitis” comes from the ancient Greek word “rhinos” for nose, and “itis” means inflammation.) Seasonal allergic rhinitis describes nasal allergies that change with the seasons due to pollen from plants. Hay fever, a popular term for seasonal allergies, is misleading because allergies seldom cause a fever and are not related to hay. Perennial rhinitis describes year-round nasal allergies, which are caused by substances like dust mites, mold spores, feathers, and pet dander.

Why Do I Have Allergies?

sneezeWhen your body mistakes something that is normally harmless for something dangerous, your body tries to get rid of it the same way it fights off an invading bacteria or virus. Your body’s attempt to get rid of the allergen (foreign substance) causes an “allergic reaction.” Symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny, stuffy, or itchy nose, are what you experience. The first time your body encounters an allergen, your immune system may consider it harmful and form antibodies to it. With each repeated exposure, your immune system produces increased amounts of antibodies to the allergen until, eventually, you experience symptoms. With seasonal allergies, a couple of seasons may pass by before you experience any symptoms.

Testing For Allergies

Diagnosing allergies is sometimes easy, and at other times very difficult. A patient’s history and physical examination, may suggest certain allergies, which can usually be verified by a skin test. Other allergies — notably food allergies — are sometimes diagnosed by blood testing. Still others may require more extensive diagnostic efforts.

Skin tests are performed by injecting a small amount of an allergen just under the skin. This test is no more painful than a needle stick, and will usually give an indication within twenty minutes of application. Skin testing is the most accurate type of diagnosis for most allergies.

Blood testing requires sending a small sample of blood to an outside laboratory, and generally less accurate than skin testing. It may help to uncover food allergies, and is sometimes considered a useful diagnostic tool.

Food allergies can be difficult to pinpoint. Sometimes the only way to accurately diagnose food allergy is by the process of elimination — to withhold a certain food substance from the diet for a period of time to observe whether symptoms disappear.

parrot
If an allergy is caused by a pet, down pillow, wool sweater, or certain food, removal of the allergen will eliminate the symptoms. We are not saying you have to get rid of your pet, but sometimes that will help your allergic response. If you have bad allergies, this is something to discuss with your family and health care provider if you test positive for allergies to cats and or dogs or feathers from your bird.

How Do Allergies Develop?

Complicated stuff, but you might be interested:

Your immune system fights off harmful foreign substances like bacteria and viruses by making antibodies to them. Each antibody recognizes and binds to one specific foreign substance — like a key fitting into a lock. Millions of different antibodies circulate in your bloodstream and are present throughout your body to help fend off any unwanted substances.

The antibodies usually involved in allergic rhinitis are called “immunoglobulin E” (IgE). IgE binds to receptors located on certain cells in the nasal lining called basophils and “mast cells,” which contain granules of a chemical called “histamine.” When IgE binds to these cells, they “degranulate,” releasing histamine. The released histamine latches onto nearby blood vessels, causing them to dilate (widen). This results in swelling, redness, and inflammation and leads to unpleasant symptoms such as an itchy, stuffy, or runny nose.

Each allergen produces a distinct set of IgE antibodies. You may have several different IgE antibodies in your body, indicating multiple allergies. The quantity of IgE antibodies present determines the strength of your allergic reaction. The more IgE antibodies you have to a specific substance, the more pronounced the reaction will be.

Hives

hivesAllergens or other irritants can affect your skin, resulting in a condition called hives. Hives are raised, red, itchy patches of skin, sometimes called welts. They vary in size and may last a few minutes to a few days. They can develop anywhere on the body, including the face, lips, tongue, throat, or ears. Your health care provider can help treat these symptoms. If you experience dizziness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, or swelling of the tongue, lips, or face along with hives, you should contact your health care provider immediately or go to an emergency room.

Is it Allergies or a Cold?

Although allergies and colds have similar symptoms, there are some signs that can help you tell the difference between them. It’s probably an allergy if:

  • You have no fever.
  • Mucus secretions are clear and runny.
  • Sneezes occur in rapid, multiple sequence.
  • Itchiness in nose, ears, and throat (especially the palate or roof of the mouth) is present.
  • Symptoms last longer than the typical duration of a cold, which is usually 7 to 10 days.

If you aren’t sure if you have a cold or allergies, your health care provider can help determine the cause of your symptoms and find appropriate treatment. See common cold for more…

How Are Allergies Treated?

pillsExperts agree that the best way to treat allergies is to avoid exposure to the allergens in the first place. But sometimes that’s impossible to do. Many different treatments are now available to relieve allergy symptoms, ranging from over-the-counter antihistamine medications to allergy shots. Because different treatments have different benefits and drawbacks, it is best to see your health care provider to determine which treatment is best for you.

Some common medications used to treat allergies include antihistamines and decongestants. Antihistamines are often used to relieve mild-to-moderate allergy symptoms like itching, sneezing, and runny nose. A decongestant may help relieve a stuffy nose. Sometimes, an antihistamine and a decongestant are used together to relieve multiple symptoms. Talk to your health care provider about trying different allergy treatments. He or she may refer you to an allergist. You may have to try a couple of different treatments before you find one that is right for you.

Other Treatments for Allergies

In addition to antihistamines and decongestants, Nasal Sprays and Immunotherapy are used to treat allergies. Ultimately, your allergist or health care provider will help determine which treatment is best for you.

Nasal Sprays:
Available over-the-counter and by prescription, nasal sprays can also be part of your defense against allergies. See Allergy Medication Table.

  • Corticosteroid nasal sprays, available by prescription only, are used daily to relieve congestion. They generally take at least a week to achieve maximum benefit.
  • Nasal sprays containing cromolyn sodium are also available to prevent sneezing and an itchy, runny nose caused by mild to moderate allergies.
  • Nonprescription nasal sprays containing a saltwater solution are sometimes used to relieve mild congestion, loosen mucus, and prevent crusting. They may be taken safely until symptoms improve.

Immunotherapy:
allergy shot
Immunotherapy — also known as allergy shots — can significantly reduce, but not eliminate, allergy symptoms. Injections of small amounts of allergens are increased gradually over time to desensitize the immune system. It takes about 6 months for allergy shots to start working, and the entire process can take up to 5 years.

Other Allergies

beeInhaled allergens are considered the most common cause of allergies, but there are many other causes of allergies too — including food, latex, drugs, and insect stings. Food allergies are common in children, although many people lose their sensitivity to foods over time. Some people have severe and possibly life-threatening reactions after eating or drinking “trigger” foods such as shellfish, eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, or other nuts.

Serious Situation

Sensitivity to penicillin, stinging insects, shellfish, peanuts, or latex can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction that causes swelling throughout the body and a sudden drop in blood pressure. The throat and airways may also become constricted.

A person in anaphylactic shock must be treated promptly with epinephrine (adrenaline). Call 911! A person who has a reaction like this may or should get an Epi-Pen ® which is an auto-injector made for this kind of emergency. This is only available by prescription from a health care provider.

Allergy Myths

Myth #1: Moving to Arizona will cure my allergies.
Unfortunately, moving to a new location probably won’t help your allergies much. Although the deserts of the American Southwest may lack ragweed and maple trees, other plants grow there that produce pollen. People who are sensitive to some pollens may also become sensitive to others found in a new environment.
Arizona
Myth #2: Hay fever is caused by hay.
The popular term “hay fever” is considered a misnomer because the condition is not caused by hay, nor is it a fever. The term is used to describe congested sinuses, coughing, runny nose, sneezing, breathing difficulties, and other symptoms caused by any plants that pollinate or molds that produce spores — usually in the spring, summer, or autumn.
haystack
Myth #3: Short haired pets don’t cause allergies.
The truth is, an animal’s fur — including its length — isn’t the culprit in allergies. The real culprit is a protein produced by glands in the animal’s skin or in their saliva. Cats often cause more allergy problems than dogs simply because they tend to lick their fur a lot, spreading the protein onto their coats. If you’re allergic to furry pets, consider adopting one of these fur less friends: fish, iguanas, or snakes.
dog and cat
Myth #4: Pollen from flowers is a leading cause of allergies.
Ironically, some of the most feared plants — the brightly flowering varieties — are the least likely to trigger allergic symptoms. Pollen from roses and many other fragrant, colorful flowers tends to be heavy, waxy, and sticky, making them less likely to become airborne. These pollens are not spread by the wind. Instead, insects transport pollen from flower to flower. So allergies to these plants are relatively uncommon — unless you are a florist or a gardener who is exposed to them frequently.
flower
Myth #5: Allergies are psychosomatic.
Allergies may affect your nose, but that doesn’t mean they’re “all in your head.” An allergy is a real medical condition involving your immune system’s reaction to a foreign substance. Stress or emotions may bring on or worsen symptoms — or your symptoms may cause you to feel embarrassed or discouraged — but emotions don’t cause allergies. Also, you also can’t pass your allergies on to a friend, because they’re not contagious.
psychiatrist
Myth #6: You can outgrow your allergies.
Most people grow into allergy, not out of it. Although some people can become less sensitive to certain substances simply by avoiding them, it is nearly impossible to avoid exposure to certain pollens, molds, and dust. Year after year of repeated exposure to these allergens can cause allergic individuals to continue to suffer from allergies their entire life.
growing up
Myth #7: Frequent exposure to pollen can help you build up immunity to it.
Regularly scheduled, repeated exposure to small amounts of an allergen — as with allergy shots — can lead to immunity. But infrequent and erratic exposure does not lead to immunity — instead, it increases the likelihood that you will become sensitized to the allergen. With allergy shots (called immunotherapy), exposure to the allergen is closely regulated and given on a scheduled basis, leading to the production of blocking antibodies (called IgG antibodies) and a decrease in the level of allergic or IgE-mediated antibodies.
weeds
Myth #8: I should save my prescription antihistamine medication for the days I am suffering most.
Antihistamines work best when taken according to the treatment plan your allergist or health care provider has given you.
prescription
Myth #9: I won’t build up a resistance to decongestant nasal sprays.
Certain decongestant nasal sprays should not be taken longer than 3 to 7 days at a time to avoid a “rebound effect,” meaning it takes more medication more often to achieve the same results.
elephant
Myth #10: Because I am allergic to something, my kids will be too.
The tendency to develop allergies does tend to run in families, but other factors come into play as well. Sometimes people develop allergies when neither parent has them. Many experts also believe that early exposure to a potential allergen may make a person more likely to develop an allergy to it later.
family

More information…

Check out: Pet Allergies

“When is a “Food Allergy” Really an Allergy?” by Robert Eitches, MD

Tips for Avoiding Dust Mites

A Visit to the Allergist, video also…

“About Allergy Shots” by Ira Finegold, MD

ALLERGY Focus Center ! – 7 videos on allergies, 12 transcripts.

Get Info on AllergiClear for Natural Allergy Relief

Allergy Medication Table NEXT >>

 

Amy - Teen's Health Expert

By Amy - Teen's Health Expert

Discover the dedicated author behind Teen Health Secrets, an experienced expert committed to providing in-depth knowledge and guidance on various aspects of teen health, ensuring young individuals lead healthy, informed lives.