Allergy Symptoms and Diagnosis | Everyday health
If you suspect you have allergies, write down your symptoms, including when they start and what seems to trigger them. Information about potential allergy triggers will help your doctor take your medical history.
The reason why people’s allergy symptoms are triggered by different things (allergens) has to do with certain antibodies produced by the body’s immune system.
They trigger a cellular chain reaction leading to an allergic reaction. Each type of IgE has a “radar” for a specific allergen, so the allergic reaction is a response to that particular trigger.
There are many things that can cause allergies. Some of the more common allergens include:
Pollen
These allergies usually occur in early spring, summer, and fall, but can occur at different times of the year depending on weather conditions and where you live.
Pets
Although some breeds may be more allergic than others, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog or cat.
Food
Mold
Mold spores (which are even smaller than pollen) are released into the air, where they are spread by wind or humidity and can be inhaled.
Although there are many types of mold, only a few cause allergies. When indoors (typically in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements), they can cause allergy symptoms year-round.
Cockroaches
Mites
Insect bites and stings
Most people recover from a insect or bee sting within hours or days with minor pain, itching and swelling at the site.
Fortunately, most biting insects, such as mosquitoes or fleas, rarely cause extreme reactions.
Latex
In rare cases, latex can cause hives, difficulty breathing, or even anaphylaxis.
Less than 1% of Americans have a latex allergy. It’s more common among healthcare workers and other people who regularly wear latex gloves. People who have had multiple surgeries in their lifetime, especially children with spina bifada, are also at increased risk. The synthetic latex present in the paint does not cause allergies.
Medication
Medicines can cause allergic and non-allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can be mild (such as a rash or nasal symptoms) or life-threatening (anaphylaxis).
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