Allergies, you may have heard, are fairly common in the United States. It has been estimated that approximately fifty percent of the population suffers from allergies. Some people who suffer from allergies do not realize that they suffer from allergies until after the first attack occurs. This is especially true for children.
Allergies occur when an allergic person is exposed to an allergen. When exposed to an allergen, the immune system, normally a little resistant, reacts and attacks the allergen. Allergens are often airborne and can be ingested in food, dust, and skin. If an allergic person comes into contact with an allergen, his or her body will build up antibodies to that allergen. The antibodies then search for the allergen and get rid of it.
An allergic rhinitis is a form of allergy. It is a common allergy that occurs when a person is exposed to pollen and allergens such as mold and smoke. As these pollen and allergens become airborne, the allergen becomes airborne as well. Airborne particles can sometimes be extremely irritating and cause the typical symptoms of allergies such as sneezing, runny nose, swelling, and itchiness. However, sometimes allergic reaction is more serious than a simple allergy.
In some cases, a severe allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis. If an allergic person is allergic to something that is common to the environment, it is possible to react to it with a milder form of the same allergy. This is why it is important to keep your home well ventilated.
Many allergic reactions occur because of a combination of factors such as an increase in the concentration of allergens in the environment. Another contributing factor is a weakened immune system caused by health conditions such as AIDS or cancer.
There are many symptoms of allergic reactions that you should be aware of if you suspect that you may be suffering from allergies. These symptoms include:
“Asthma attack” – This is when your asthma symptoms seem to strike at random. One minute you are fine, and the next minute, you have a chest tightening fit. Your heart races, and you feel tightness in your chest.
“Hay Fever” – This is a term that is used to describe the symptoms of having a runny nose. If you suffer from hay fever, it will be evident as a dry, running nose that causes a severe inflammation of the nose.
“Hives” – Hives are generally the red raised bumps that can appear anywhere on the body. These can often be found on the palms of the hands, knees, scalp, and face. However, hives can also occur in other parts of the body.
“Conjunctivitis” – This occurs when there is an irritation of the eye which causes a red patch to appear. These red spots can become crusty, and they are often accompanied by pain. They can also become inflamed and cause the eyes to become watery if left untreated.
Allergic reactions can vary in severity, and sometimes the symptoms can be treated successfully with the use of oral medication. In extreme cases, the patient may need to have his or her entire body undergo allergy testing and possibly even allergy shots to determine if he or she truly does have an allergy.