Allergy: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment - Everything You Need To Know
Medically Reviewed By
Dr Divya Rohra
Written By Meenakshi
on May 4, 2023
Last Edit Made By Meenakshi
on Mar 18, 2024
Do you find yourself constantly sneezing or sniffling? Are you tired of unusual and constant itching? Feeling miserable? You could be suffering from allergies. Yes, you read that right. Despite being common, allergies are often misunderstood and overlooked. These can be frustrating, uncomfortable & debilitating if left unaddressed. These can be mild to severe and life-threatening in some cases. And hence, it needs to be identified & addressed at the earliest.
Being aware of what triggers your allergy is the foremost step to preventing the attack and taking control of your health. Relax! If you don’t know anything about it. In this blog, we’ll be delving into the world of allergies, exploring everything from causes, symptoms to preventive measures and treatment options. So, let’s uncover all the information about allergies so you can control your life again.
Allergies – What Are They?
An allergy occurs when the immune system responds to a specific substance, perceiving it as harmful. These allergens could be anything from pollen and dust to certain foods, medications, chemicals, or even particular environments. Whenever your body comes into contact with an allergen, it releases antibodies that identify allergens as harmful, even if they aren’t. This can cause various reactions. Allergies are not the same for everyone and can be mild to severe. It is essential to identify the signs early to seek medical attention if necessary.
Allergy – Types:
Allergies exist in different forms caused due to exposure to allergens. Some of the most common types of allergies are:
- Food Allergy: Being the most common type of allergy, food allergy occurs when your immune system responds unfavorably to a protein in the food.
- Dust Allergy: Dust allergy is an allergic reaction to tiny bugs or dust mites, causing sneezing, runny nose, scratchy throat, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and more.
- Environmental Allergy: Caused due to exposure to environmental allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, & mold, environmental allergies are typical seasonal allergies that occur during a specific time of the season when particular allergens are most prevalent.
- Milk Allergy: Yes, many people are even allergic to milk. It triggers when your immune system overreacts to milk or milk products and can range from mild to severe.
But that's not all! There are many other allergies, like insect allergies, occupational allergies, exercise-induced allergies, drug allergies, and skin allergies exist. It is essential to identify the signs is the foremost step in managing allergies. Scroll down to find the most common symptoms.
Common Allergy Symptoms You Should Watch Out For:
Every allergy causes different symptoms. However, some of the most common signs that one may experience after being exposed to the allergens are:
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Rashes or hives
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy or irritated skin
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling in the face, throat, or other parts of the body
- Digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
The symptoms could vary, from person to person, due to many reasons. Hence, it is always good to consult your doctor and get diagnosed in time (if suggested) to confirm the cause of the symptoms.
But what if there are no symptoms or you are unaware of your allergies? Well, getting diagnosed in time is essential to lead a symptom-free life.
Benefits Of Allergy Testing:
- Helps With Early Diagnosis: Getting tested for allergies is a quick and easy way for an accurate diagnosis. It can help you identify the allergens that are causing the symptoms.
- Enable Better Management: Additionally, accurate diagnosis allows you to alter your lifestyle accordingly to avoid exposure to the triggers and take charge of your health. This can allow for managing symptoms well and improve wellness.
- Allow Early Treatment Intervention: Besides diagnosing the allergy, the test reports help healthcare professionals analyze your health, check the severity of the condition, and suggest treatment.
In short, allergy testing is crucial to diagnose allergies, confirm allergens, track conditions, and develop treatment plans to improve the quality of life and avoid complications.
Allergies are indeed uncomfortable and cause a range of problems. But with early diagnosis and treatment intervention, these can be managed well. Check out the following tips to learn some of the most common yet crucial ways to manage allergies.
Tips To Manage Allergies:
- Identify Your Allergens: Identifying the cause of allergies that triggers the symptoms is the foremost step to prevent further exposure, which can limit the complications or helps manage the condition well. The allergen that triggers the problem could be anything from pollen, dust, dirt, certain food, or medication.
- Avoid Allergens: Once you know the allergen responsible for triggering allergies, avoiding it is always advisable.
- Keep Surrounding Clean: Keeping the surrounding neat and clean can reduce the number of allergens in the air and minimize your risks.
- Do Not Delay The Diagnosis: Delaying a diagnosis of allergies can worsen the symptoms and impact the overall quality of life. If your doctor suspects allergies or recommends a diagnosis, it is essential to get it done at the earliest. With proper management, many people with allergies can lead a content-filled life.
- Take Medicine As Prescribed: It is essential to be strict about your medication regimen and take it on time as prescribed to you to alleviate the allergy symptoms.
Take Allergies & Allergy Screening Seriously!
Allergies, if left unaddressed, can be severe. Hence, the role of allergy screening should always be considered, as it can otherwise lead to worsening symptoms and severe & sometimes life-threatening complications. So, do not neglect symptoms and get yourself diagnosed at the earliest.
For Reliable Diagnosis, Always Choose Redcliffe Labs!
Whether you are looking for a comprehensive allergy testing package, simple allergy test, or other preventive health checkups, we offer everything under one roof to ensure our clients get an exceptional diagnostic experience. To make diagnostics accessible to every individual possible, we offer doorstep sample collection that enables you to get tested comfortably and safely from home.
With a better understanding of allergies, you can take steps to minimize impacts and improve overall well-being. So, keep yourself updated with all the information, take screening seriously, and act in time.
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2 Comments
Victoria Addington
Dec 22, 2023 at 5:12 PM.
I appreciated you pointing out that we should avoid the allergen responsible for triggering allergies. My friend wants to get rid of her allergies. I should advise her to see a doctor who specializes in allergy treatment. https://ashburnallergy.com/
Christina
Nov 18, 2023 at 5:55 PM.
Thank you for this website ,now I know that my sister has dust allergies and my dad has environmental allergies.
Myhealth Team
Nov 20, 2023 at 12:30 PM.
Glad to help! Knowing your sister has dust allergies and your dad has environmental allergies is valuable. Consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice.