Frederick Jace
Although not everyone experiences an allergic reaction, this medical phenomenon is quite common among many of the population. Some allergies are inherited from parents down to their children. Others are seasonal and in response to airborne allergens. In contrast, others can be caused by insect bites, chemicals, and certain foods. However, the age-old question has been to understand how allergies work and what happens during an allergic reaction. This article seeks to explore the issue to give you the answers you are looking for.
What are allergies, and why do they happen?
The body’s immune system has the task of protecting the body from bacteria, germs, and viruses. However, in some bodies, the immune system seems to fight off substances that are otherwise not harmful. When this happens, an allergy is said to have occurred. This “mistaken defence” happens differently for various individuals. This is why someone may react to certain foods, another may react to pollen, or have no allergies!
In an attempt to protect your body against these mistaken hazards, the immune system releases antibodies. The antibodies warn the body of the “harmful invader,” and in response to this, chemical histamines are released. Histamines cause blood vessels to expand, which creates the allergy symptoms or the allergic reaction you see.
Causes of allergic reactions
There are several factors that your body may come into contact with which would trigger your immune system to release chemical histamines to fight off these “harmful invaders,” creating an allergic reaction. These include:
- Airborne allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites
- Certain foods such as milk, peanuts, shellfish, and eggs.
- Insect stings and bites.
- Medications, especially penicillin.
- Latex
Symptoms of an allergic reaction
Although different factors may cause an allergic reaction, they share similar symptoms. These range from mild to severe symptoms to reactions and include the following:
- Mild symptoms: These reactions affect a single part of the body and do not spread, such as hives or rashes, watery and itchy eyes, and a runny nose.
- Moderate symptoms: These reactions would most likely spread to other parts of the body, such as a full-body rash or hives, swelling, and trouble breathing.
- Severe symptoms: These include severe abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhoea, angioedema (excessive swelling and hives), and mental confusion. Anaphylaxis is another severe allergic reaction that demands immediate medical attention as it is life-threatening.
Treatment options
Fortunately, there are several treatment options to offer relief from the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Buy Fexofenadine or any antihistamines over-the-counter. Antihistamines help reduce the effects of the body’s overproduction of histamines. You can also get nasal decongestants and corticosteroids to ease nasal congestion and inflammation.You can also take pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Immunotherapy is also an effective treatment of allergies. Also known as allergy shot therapy, immunotherapy is the perfect treatment for patients whose symptoms are not easily relieved through a combination of various medications.
With this information, you have gained a better understanding of what allergies are, how they work, and how they can be treated.
