Allergies: More than Just a Nuisance
Sneezing, watery eyes, itchy throat. It's spring again, and with blossoming flowers comes your annual allergies. In the United States, more than 50 million people have allergies, making it the 6th most common chronic illness in the country. However, since allergies and allergic reactions vary from person to person, it is crucial to understand what allergies exactly are.
Allergies happen when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance that gets inside the body. These foreign substances are known as allergens. Allergens can include pollen, bee venom, and pet hair. They can also include certain foods and medications that a small percentage of individuals react to. Reactions can range from minor irritation to life-threatening emergencies.
The Immune System:
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that protects the body from disease and infection. It is made up of two smaller systems that work together to perform different tasks. The two smaller systems are the innate (general) system and the adaptive (specialized) system. The main functions of the immune system include fighting pathogens such as germs, viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause disease. The immune system also removes these pathogens from the body, as well as recognizing and neutralizing harmful substances from the environment. It also heals damage to the body and adapts to new challenges and threats so it can be stronger to fight off a specific pathogen the next time it enters.
The immune system also makes protective proteins called antibodies. These antibodies attack invaders that enter the body. When an individual has allergies, the immune system makes antibodies that specifically mark a certain allergen as harmful - even though it isn’t harmful at all. The body ultimately overreacts to this allergen, and when the immune system comes into contact with it, it causes a reaction that inflames the skin, sinuses, or airways.
When the body has an allergic reaction to a substance, the immune system overreacts and releases various chemicals. It releases Histamine into the blood, which causes itching and swelling. The immune system also produces antibodies to attack the specific allergen. The body begins to produce more mucus than usual, and inflammation of the skin, in the airways, in the digestive system can occur as well.
How Do Allergies Develop?
Allergies can develop through numerous ways in an individual. A lot of allergies tend to be genetic, and run the family. The errors in a gene that regulates the immune system can increase this risk of allergies. Allergies can also be caused by unfamiliar environmental factors, like dust and insects. Some common foods cause allergies as well - milk, eggs, nuts, wheat, soy and even fish.
Some common symptoms of allergies include:
Runny or Stuffy Nose
Itching
Rash
Hives
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Swelling around the Mouth
Although avoiding the allergen or taking medication can help relieve allergy symptoms, some individuals are even allergic to specific medications. A newer sort of treatment, Immunotherapy, is known to make some allergy cases milder
Testing for Allergies
An individual can be tested for allergies at any time during their life. The normal process when testing for allergies is to visit an allergist. The allergist runs a series of skin testing, blood testing, and in some bases even both. These tests can detect a patient’s sensitivity to common inhalants like pollen, to certain foods, to latex, and even other substances like venom or medication.
While skin tests deliver immediate results, blood tests may take a few days before allergists get results back. Skin tests also tend to be more accurate, but in many cases an individual cannot test with a skin test if they have conditions such as hives or rashes. Blood testing involves a single needle prick, and medicine does not interfere with the results. However, blood tests are much more costly than skin tests, and may sometimes even result in false positives. If a patient chooses to take a skin test, they will either take a scratch test or an intradermal test. In a scratch test, an immensely small amount of an allergen is pricked or scratched into the skin. This type of skin is the most common type of test issued when testing for allergies. The second type of skin test, an Intradermal test, shows whether someone is allergic to insect stings or penicillin. In this test, a small amount of the possible allergen is injected under the skin through a thin needle.
Seasonal Allergies & Treatments:
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever and allergic rhinitis, can cause sneezing, congestion, and other irritating symptoms. To reduce exposure to allergy triggers, scientists have come up with steps of individuals to take.
Staying indoors on dry wind days helps keep people away from pollen infested air. Avoiding outdoor chores like lawn mowing and pulling weeds are highly suggested as well. Rinsing nasal passages with saline solution are quick and inexpensive ways to effectively relieve nasal congestion. This flushes out mucus and allergens directly from the nose. Other over the counter remedies include oral antihistamines, which can help relieve sneezing, itching, and stuffy noses. Oral decongestants provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness as well as different types of nasal sprays.
Overall, while some allergies may be outgrown, a lot of allergies tend to disappear and return. In some cases, an individual may have an allergy for life, although it can get better and more tolerable. There are numerous ways and medications developed for people with allergies, and scientists are constantly researching more strategies and methods to effectively control allergies and allergic reactions.
Written By: Keira Crasta
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351497
https://acaai.org/allergies/testing-diagnosis/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/allergies-and-the-immune-system#:~:text=When%20a%20harmless%20substance%20such,itchy%20eyes%2C%20and%20other%20symptoms.
