What Are The Allergies And Its Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment?

The World Allergy Organization (WCO), every 8 July, celebrates World Allergy Day to raise awareness to all people about the importance of preventing diseases caused by allergies. And motivate the search for treatments to help increase the quality of life of people already suffer from them. 

Doctor Brian Martin, elected president of the World Allergy Organization, says that 2020 has been a unique year because of the pandemic by the Covid-19. The medical world has changed dramatically in recent months to focus on a solution. 

However, he explains that allergic diseases cannot be forgotten or put aside. For this reason, it should emphasize their treatment during a health emergency.

For this reason, today, on World Allergy Day, it is pertinent to talk about its symptoms and complications, especially in this challenging time that all humanity is going through because of Covid-19.

What Are Allergies?

The word allergy comes from the Greek terms alos and ergos, and alos means different or strange and, ergos, reaction. An allergy is the immune system’s reaction to a foreign substance that usually harms your body. These foreign substances are called allergens. Your immune system can identify certain foods, pollens, or pets as a hazard in an allergic structure.

Your immune system’s job is to support your healthy by hurling back harmful pathogens. It does this by attacking anything you think could endanger your body. Depending on the allergen, this response may include swelling, sneezing, itching, or other symptoms.

Your immune system usually adapts to its environment. For example, when your body feels something like pet hair, it must understand that it is harmless. In people with allergies, the immune system observes it as a foreign invader threatening the body and attacking it.

Allergies are common. Various treatments can help you get rid of your complaints.

Symptoms For Allergies

The most common symptoms of allergies can vary depending on the type of allergy or illness. In general, allergic rhinitis is the most common: itching, sneezing, mucus, or nasal congestion.

Difficulty breathing can be a sign of asthma. Itchy and watery red eyes can be a sign of conjunctivitis. Also, Atopic dermatitis may manifest with signs such as dryness and itchy skin.

Doctors say that a food allergy can cause tingling in the mouth; swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat; hives, or anaphylaxis. 

An allergy to an insect bite can cause significant swelling evidenced by edema at the site of the bite. Additionally, there is itching or hives all over the body, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or anaphylaxis.

And a drug allergy can cause hives, itchy skin, a rash, swelling of the face, or anaphylaxis.

Causes Of Allergies

Researchers are not sure why a harmless foreign substance typically enters the body, causing the immune system to cause an allergic reaction.

Allergies have a genetic aspect, and that means that parents can pass them on to their children. 

Anything can cause allergies; some common allergens such as Insect bites, Plants, food, drugs, latex, gloves, and condoms are common other allergens.

Allergy Treatments

The best method to keep away allergies is to avoid everything that triggers the reaction. If this is not possible, there are treatment options.

Drug Therapy

Allergy treatment generally includes medications such as antihistamines to control symptoms. The drug can be prescription or non-prescription. The medicine your doctor prescribes depends on the severity of your allergies.

Immunotherapy

Many people prefer immunotherapy. This treatment is given through multiple injections over several years to help your body get used to your allergies. Successful immunotherapy can stop the return of allergies and its symptoms.

Emergency Epinephrine

If you have a severe and life-threatening allergy, an urgent injection of epinephrine may be necessary. Self-medication will resist allergic reactions until medical help arrives. The most used products of this treatment are EpiPen and Twinject.