5 Most Common Allergy Types and Symptoms

Allergies are very common, so is being allergic to something. Nearly everyone of us would have encountered some or the other type of allergies in our life. While some may be allergic to pets and insects, others would have an allergy to dust and mites. Let’s see common allergy types and symptoms that suggest allergy occurrence.

What are the types of allergies?

Allergens, which cause allergies to occur, attack anyone and everyone. However, the severity of the allergy depends upon the way an individual’s immune system reacts to it. Based on their triggers, some of the most widely known types of allergies include food, drugs, insects, latex, and dust. Let’s have a quick look at each of them.

1.   Food allergy develops when the immune system considers certain foods as harmful and reacts accordingly. It can be diagnosed due to food allergy symptoms like tingling or itching of the mouth, wheezing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting.

2.   Drug allergy refers to the side-effects caused by certain prescription drugs despite testing and safety procedures. It can also develop into anaphylaxis - a life-threatening allergic reaction.

3.   People also develop insect allergy due to stinging as well as non-stinging insects. Hornets, wasps, and bees are the main causes of insect allergy due to which the individual develops mild to severe rashes with itching.

4.   Latex products such as balloons, rubber bands, bandages, etc. can cause serious allergic reactions leading to latex allergy. It occurs only in people who constantly come in contact with such materials. Healthcare workers are at higher risks of latex allergy.

5.   Dust mites, pollen, and mold can trigger asthma and other breathing-related problems apart from usual dust allergy reactions. It is one of the best examples of indoor allergies.

What are common allergy symptoms?

Allergy symptoms usually vary from person to person. However, regardless of the type of allergy, affected individuals are prone to typical allergic reactions. Acute yet common allergy symptoms include wheezing, sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy and red eyes, nausea or vomiting, and runny or stuffy nose.

When the allergy gets much severe, allergic individuals might also experience their health conditions worsening to migraine, abdominal pain, and diarrhea as well.

How to treat allergies?

Get in touch with a qualified allergist like AllergyFree for remedial measures and relevant medications to curb further complications. AllergyFree is your one-stop solution to fight all kinds of outdoor allergies as well as indoor ones.

5 Common Allergy Types and How to Fight Them!

Ever experienced that a slight change in the environment or your immediate surroundings can cause you a sense of irritation? Well, that is because you might have an allergy. Although its symptoms may pass by as normal, but certain substances or particles present in the environment might be troubling your immune system. Let’s see more about various allergy types, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Types of allergy

●     Food allergy occurs when your immune system becomes hypersensitive to a kind of food or a substance in it, treating it as a threat and triggering a counteractive response.

●     Skin allergy can be developed as an allergic reaction to a medication, substance, or food. Eczema and hives are common forms of skin allergy.

●     Dust mites allergy is an indoor allergy that occurs due to the dust or dust mites present in your home or suchlike enclosed spaces.

●     Pet allergy is triggered by certain proteins found in pet animals’ skin cells, urine, saliva, or dead skin flakes (dander) they shed. Animal fur is the most common source of pet allergy.

●     Mold allergy is one of the most typical yet hard-to-overcome allergy types. It may occur due to the tiny mold spores present in the air in both indoors as well as outdoors.

Diagnosis of allergies

Allergy diagnosis is possible through blood tests, intradermal skin test, physician-supervised challenge test, and patch test. All leading allergists and medical experts are well-versed with allergy tests and can help you combat your condition through prescription medications, immunotherapy, and so on.

Prevention of allergy

Allergies are caused by the respective allergens. Hence, the best way of allergy prevention is to stay away from their risk factors. The more you come in contact with the allergy triggers, higher are your chances to experience mild to severe allergic reactions. Quick steps to prevent allergies:

●     Keep your home dry and well-ventilated

●     Clean all the damp areas around you

●     Use HEPA vacuum and filters to clean your home

●     Get rid of carpet and other upholstery

●     Go for wooden furniture instead of latex, vinyl, etc.

Regardless of the allergy you have, you are sure to experience common allergic symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, watery and red eyes, itchy nose, and nasal congestion, or severe signs like asthma, hives, hay fever, rhinitis, etc. In order to be sure of which allergy you have, you will need to consult an allergist or a physician near you.

Mold Allergy: Basics You Should Know Before it Strikes You!

Allergy to mold is one of the most common health conditions that affect a majority of people around the world. When an individual becomes allergic to mold spores or other fungi, know that it could stay with them for the most part of the year.

Mold allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to mold spores while breathing in. If you too have been experiencing mild to severe mold allergy, and looking for more information on it, you are at the right place!

What are mold allergy causes?

Just like every other outdoor allergy, outdoor mold allergy is caused when an abnormally reactive immune system comes in contact with the mold spores thriving anywhere in the environment.

It all begins when you inhale in tiny air-borne spores. Your body identifies these mold spores as harmful foreign particles and develops allergy-causing antibodies to combat them.

Even when the body has dealt with the mold spores accordingly, it keeps producing antibodies that still “remembers” the harmful foreign particles. This pro-defensive mechanism keeps causing mold allergic reactions, and mold allergy continues to strike.

What kind of molds are dangerous?

Various types of molds are present both inside and outside. However, only a few kinds of molds can trigger allergic reactions. In fact, when you are allergic to a certain type of mold, essentially it would not mean that you are allergic to some other kind of mold as well.

Some of the best known molds to cause allergic reactions include aspergillus, alternaria, cladosporium, and penicillium. Whereas, mold and mildew are types of fungi, and do not belong to any plant or animal family because of the way they breed. 

What are its symptoms?

Mold allergy symptoms are mostly similar to those of other allergies. When you have mold allergy, you will experience prolonged sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy skin, watery and red eyes, dry and scaling skin, and cough etc. You might also notice signs of hay fever or allergic rhinitis.

Mold spores can get even more harmful when they attack your lungs and trigger chronic breathing-related problems like asthma and bronchitis.

How to cure mold allergy?

Mold allergy can be difficult to treat. But it is advisable to see an allergist when you notice its symptoms. The best defense against mold allergy is to restrict your exposure to harmful molds. Besides, prescription medicines and immunotherapy can help combat allergic reactions

Pollution Allergy: What are the Causes & Treatments Available?

Air pollution and allergies go hand-in-hand. Allergic reaction caused by pollution is known as pollution allergy. Changes in the environment and chemical substances mixed in the air are the main factors that trigger and increase the worsening of allergic diseases.

As pollution allergens are present everywhere around us, they are sure to affect our health in every possible way. Here, we learn more about pollution allergy.

Causes of pollution allergy

More than genetics and other factors, the unusual increase in common outdoor allergiesis due to changes in the environmental factors. The ongoing industrial development and ever increasing number of vehicles have added more to the woes of human survival. Some of the major causes include:

Vehicular and exhaust fumes: In the world's largest cities, particles emitted from vehicles contribute up to 90% of airborne allergies. These pollutants lead to the growth of certain cells that trigger various types of outdoor allergies.

People living close to roads and high traffic areas are at a greater risk of developing respiratory disorders. As well, their lungs functionality decreases to a great extent overtime. 

Smoke & Tobacco: The smoke and tobacco present in the environment is one of the very common outdoor pollutants. Environmental smoke is directly related to the development of respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchitis.

Pollen: Many people are allergic to pollen, hence pollen is considered to be among the top contributors of outdoor allergies. Pollen from drop seeds, seed pods, fruits, and flowers increase the chances of allergic reactions. Hayfever is one of the most common outdoor allergy symptoms. 

Smog: Another fatal type of air pollution, smog is a combination of gases and certain harmful particles coming in contact with sunlight. These gases include carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and volatile organic compounds along with ozone. Smoke, dust, sand, and pollen are vital components of smog.

Outdoor allergies treatment

Once diagnosed with common outdoor allergies, it is very important to get on with its treatment as soon as possible to avoid further complications. It is best to see an allergist for relevant over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as an antihistamine. 

In case of severe allergies, doctors might also recommend prescription medications. Do make sure you consult your doctor for OTC best outdoor allergy medicine and its dosage instructions as per your health and other factors. Allergy shots or allergen immunotherapy are also other alternatives to improve immunity and reduce allergy symptoms.

Kids’ Allergies: Understanding the Basics

It is very painful for any parent to see their child suffer from some or the other kind of kids’ allergies. It is a known fact that any child can develop allergies over a period of time. However, allergies are more common among children who have a family history of allergic reactions. Let’s learn more about children’s allergies in detail.

First of all, let’s understand “What is an allergy?”

Allergies are nothing but abnormal immune system reactions to certain environmental factors or allergens, which are usually not as harmful to most other people. Just like adults, when a child too falls prey to an allergy, their immune system mistakenly believes that the substance is harming their body.

As a result, children end up showing specific allergic symptoms that suggest they have been affected by particular allergens. Common allergy symptoms in children include skin rashes or hives (atopic dermatitis or eczema), asthma or other breathing-related problems, sneezing, coughing, runny or stuffy  nose, itchy eyes, and digestion problems.

What are some common types of children’s allergies?

More often, both adults and children suffer from similar types of allergies. Same as in adults, children are also affected by allergy triggers found indoors, outdoors, pollution, and food. Common allergies in kids are caused due to:

●     Outdoor allergens: pollen, mold, insect bites or stings

●     Indoor allergens: animal dander, dust mites, mold

●     Pollution: smoke, water,

●     Foods: peanuts, eggs, milk and milk products

How are children’s allergies treated?

Allergies in children are not really treatable. But, their symptoms can be managed in such a way that they do not cause further complications. It goes without saying that parents should be alert right from the start.

Once your child has been diagnosed with an allergy, consult your physician or a professional allergist for relevant and timely medication of your child’s allergy symptoms.

Depending upon your child’s overall health and other factors, an allergist might prescribe allergy-curbing medicines such as eye drops, antihistamines, nasal sprays, etc.

As a parent, you must also educate your child about the allergy and the reactions your child may encounter if they consume or come into contact with specific allergens.

Early diagnosis of children’s allergy is a must as it not only helps improve your child’s quality of life but also avoids unwanted leaves at school. If any kind of allergy has affected your child too, schedule an appointment with your allergist today and bring their life back on track.