A lot of people around us are sneezing all the time, have red eyes, or are getting rashes on their skin and we often wonder what’s causing these symptoms. These are allergy signs and are often harmless but can bother people in their day-to-day lives. Allergies are triggered by different allergens in the atmosphere, the increasing rate of these allergens around us are specifically due to pollution, some specific food type, pollens or dust, etc. We should try to understand our allergens and learn to manage them to live a normal comfortable life.

An allergy is the body’s immune system response to a foreign substance that enters your body but is particularly not harmful to your body particularly. These foreign substances that enter your body are called allergens. They can be certain foods, pollen, or pet dander, etc.

Our body’s immune system has to fight harmful pathogens and it does this by attacking anything that seems to be alien. Depending on the type of allergen, the symptom can be in the form of inflammation, sneezing, or a host of other symptoms.

Our body’s immune system usually adjusts to the environment. For example, when the body encounters something like animal dander, it should realize it’s harmless. Whereas the immune system of people allergic to animal dander identifies it as an outside threatening the body and attacks it.

It is common to experience allergies but especially these days when dust & pollution have increased manifolds several treatments can help you avoid your symptoms.

There are different forms of allergies :

The immune system of people with food allergies reacts to certain proteins in food as though they were harmful pathogens, such as bacteria, parasites, or viruses. The symptoms of these allergies can range from mild to severe and also can affect each individual in a different manner. However, some common symptoms include tickling in the mouth, burning sensation in the lips and mouth, streaming eyes, facial swelling, a skin rash known as hives, runny nose, wheezing, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

A rash is defined as an outbreak of skin irritability, which is a comprehensive term for rashes that can vary in appearance and can have potential causes for it. A rash can be local basically restricted to just one small part of the body or it can cover a large area. Rashes can be in different forms but the common causes include contact dermatitis, bodily infections, and allergic reactions to taking medication. The texture of these rashes can be dry, moist, bumpy, smooth, cracked, or blistered; they can be sore, itch, and even change color. Hence, there are different available treatments to manage these allergies.

Dust allergy occurs due to tiny bugs that commonly live in house dust. Signs of dust mite allergy may include those common in Rhinitis, such as sneezing and runny nose. People with dust mite allergy might also have to deal with signs of asthma, such as wheezing and difficulty in breathing, etc. Dust allergy has similarities with pollen allergies: Red, itchy, watery eyes, itchy, runny, stuffy nose, Sneezing. Best way of managing these allergies is over-the-counter or prescription allergy drugs to control symptoms.

Severity of an insect bite reaction can be different from person to person. Body’s normal response to the insect sting would be pain, swelling, and redness in the sting site which can be disinfected by washing with soap and water and also apply ice to the area by reducing the swelling.

A large local reaction will cause swelling that extends beyond the sting site. This allergy looks serious but is often treated the same as a normal reaction.

A lot of people are allergic to pets that can contribute to constant allergy symptoms, such as watery eyes or causing you to start sneezing, etc. Management tips for this allergy could be by reducing the overall allergen level in your environment and ensuring that all the causes are mapped and not just the pet allergy. Some allergy treatments can also be tried to manage this allergy. Additional treatments for pet allergies can be immunotherapy (allergy shots), steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays, and antihistamine pills.

Some symptoms of eye allergy are redness in the white of your eye or inner eyelid. Other symptoms are itching, tearing, blurred vision, a burning sensation, swollen eyelids, and also sensitivity to light. Eye allergies can probably happen on their own or with nasal allergies and an allergic skin condition called eczema. The only way to know for sure if it’s an allergy is by consulting a doctor.

Allergy causing cells that are responsible for starting the allergy causing reaction are called Mast cells. Rubbing causes these cells to release more itch-causing chemicals. You can manage these eye allergy symptoms through these steps, if you wear contact lenses, take them out. Do not use eye makeup and apply cool icepacks to your eyes. You can use preservative free artificial tear drops to wash allergens out of your eyes and keep washing your hands often.

A drug allergy is a reaction of your immune system to a certain medication. Any medication that is available over the counter, prescribed or herbal is capable of inducing a drug allergy. However, a drug allergy is more likely with certain medications. The most common signs and symptoms of drug allergy are inflammations, rashes, or fever. It’s better to avoid the medication completely in case of a severe drug allergy. Your doctor can replace the drug with a different compound in it.

Allergic rhinitis is an allergic response to certain allergens like pollens which are also the most common allergens for seasonal allergic rhinitis. Sneezing, a runny nose, a stuffy nose, an itchy nose, coughing, a sore or scratchy throat, itchy eyes, watery eyes, dark circles under the eyes, frequent headaches are allergy indications that occur due to seasonal changes.

A cockroach allergy is a common trigger for allergy and asthma throughout the year. Cockroaches contain a protein that can be a trigger for asthma attacks and it acts as an allergen for many. The body parts, saliva, and waste of cockroaches are also allergens and can trigger a lot of people. Even dead cockroaches can cause allergic reactions, some of the common symptoms are sneezing, runny nose, itchy, red or watery eyes, stuffy nose, itchy nose, mouth or throat, Cough, Itchy skin, or skin rash.

Pollens are fine yellowish powdered substances that are passed on from plants by the wind, by birds, by insects, or by other animals. The spread of pollen helps to manure plants and can create despair for people with seasonal allergies. Pollens can cause allergy and asthma symptoms, that’s the reason it is important to identify your allergens to treat your symptoms. Pollen-heavy air can cause symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy throat, and eyes, wheezing.

·  Allergy shots can be helpful in building resistance to pollens.

· These day’s doctors prescribe dissolvable tablets for people suffering from grass and ragweed allergies. These medications should be started at least 12 weeks in advance according to one’s possible exposure to these allergens.

A lot of people are allergic to natural rubber latex which is a product made from the rubber tree as the body mistakes it for a harmful substance.

Latex allergy may cause itchy skin and hives, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause throat swelling and severe difficulty in breathing. If you have a latex allergy you should limit or avoid future contact with latex products.

The immune system overreacts when you breathe in mold spores. A mold allergy can cause coughing, itching in the eyes, and other symptoms that might make you feel sick. Some people might be sensitive towards mold allergy as it is associated with asthma and its exposure can cause breathing issues and other airway symptoms.

Seasonal allergies occur due to exposure to airborne substances such as pollens that appear only during certain times of the year. Seasonal allergies occur when plants pollinate during spring, summer, or fall and the body’s immune system overreacts to something in the environment. Symptoms of seasonal allergies range from mild to severe and the most common include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, watery and itchy eyes, itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals, ear congestion, postnasal drainage

Sinusitis is soreness or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Sinuses are empty spaces within the bones between the eyes, behind the cheekbones, and in your forehead. Sinuses make mucus which also keeps the inside of the nose moist. That basically helps protect against dust, allergens, and pollutants. Healthy sinuses are usually filled with air. But when they are obstructed, they get filled with fluid, and germs in that space cause an infection. Allergic rhinitis is a swelling of the lining of the nose caused by allergens. The small growths in the lining of the nose are called nasal polyps. Some symptoms that one might face are facial pain or pressure, runny nose, loss of smell, cough or congestion along with fever, bad breath, fatigue, dental pain.

One can identify acute sinusitis when you have two or more symptoms either thick, green, or yellow nasal discharge. In case if you have a simple sinus infection, your doctor may recommend using a decongestant and saline nasal washes. Although, you shouldn’t use an over-the-counter decongestant for more than 3 days because it can make you more congested. Your doctor gives you antibiotics probably for 10 to 14 days. These symptoms usually disappear with treatment. Warm & moist air can give some relief if you have chronic sinusitis. You can also use a vaporizer, or you can inhale steam from a pan of warm water.

When a normal harmless foreign substance enters the body, it triggers some people and causes allergies. Researchers have not really confirmed the exact reason for these allergies. Allergies also have a genetic component. This means it can be passed on genetically from parents to children. However, only a general vulnerability to an allergic reaction is genetic. Specific allergies cannot be passed down.

The best way to avoid allergies is to stay away from allergens that trigger allergies. If that’s not possible, then one can go for available treatment options.

This treatment involves several injections over the course of a few years to help the body get used to your allergies. Successful immunotherapy can prevent allergy symptoms from returning to your body.

In case of severe life-threatening allergies, carry an emergency epinephrine shot. This shot counters allergic reactions until one gets proper medical support.

Your doctor can diagnose allergies in several ways. The initial method involves asking about symptoms and performing a physical exam. They’ll ask about your eating routine to understand triggers and if you come across any different substances when these allergies are triggered. Lastly, a blood test and skin test can also confirm or diagnose your allergies.

A blood test can be suggested by the doctor to test for the presence of allergy-causing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These cells react with allergens and the doctor concludes the diagnosis of allergy with the test results.

In some cases, doctors also recommend allergists for testing and treatment. A skin test is a common method for allergy tests carried out by an allergist.

During this test, the skin is pricked or scratched with small needles comprising potential allergens. The reaction of the skin is documented and in case if the allergen triggers, your skin becomes red and inflamed. Different tests help to diagnose all the potential allergies.