Studies show that at least 60 million North Americans have developed some form of allergy. Allergies are a major cause of diseases and a very common problem in Canada and the US.
About Allergies
An allergy is an abnormal reaction of the body’s immune system. The immune system of a person with an allergy reacts improperly when exposed to an allergen, usually a harmless substance present in the environment like fur, mold, pollen, etc. The immune system can be triggered if the person inhales, swallows or makes contact with the allergen. A series of events or allergic reaction will then take place that can result to the appearance of annoying or possible life threatening symptoms.
The immune system thinks that the allergen is an invader, so it will try to defend the body by releasing antibodies called IgE or immunoglobulin E. These antibodies will make the allergy cells in the body, the mast cells and basophils, release histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream to fight against these foreign substances. The allergic reactions experienced by the person result from the release of these chemicals that affect the eyes, skin, throat, nose, gastrointestinal tract and lungs. This allergic reaction will be triggered again every time the person is exposed to the same allergens. So it means that the person will have an allergic response whenever he gets exposed to an allergen or eat a certain food.
Who Gets Allergies?
Not all people have or develop allergies. The possibility of a person to have allergies can be inherited or passed down from the genes of the parents to the child. But it doesn’t mean that all your children will get allergies if you have them. They may not necessarily be allergic to the same allergens as their parents.
There is a 50% chance for child to have allergies if only one parent has allergies, while it increases to 75% if both parents are allergic. However, there are some kids who still develop allergies even though both parents don’t have any allergies.
Signs and Symptoms of an Allergy
Common symptoms of allergy include cramps, vomiting, sneezing and difficulty breathing. But there are other specific allergy symptoms depending on the type of allergy and possible emergency warning signs.
An allergic rhinitis is the most common symptom of airborne allergens. This type of allergy affects around 15% to 20% of the population. This develops as early as the age of 10 and peaks in the early 20′s, symptoms usually disappear around the age of 40 to 60.
Coughing, nasal congestion, itchy nose or throat and sneezing together with allergic conjunctivitis characterized by watery, itchy, and red eyes are some of the symptoms of airborne allergens. The allergy can lead to asthma if the person is experiencing wheezing and shortness of breath.
The symptoms of food allergy, their severity and development depend on how much of the food is taken and how sensitive the person is to the food. Raised, red, itchy bumps or Hives, eczematous rash, runny and itchy nose are some of the common symptoms of food allergies. Some children may also experience oral allergy syndrome or itchy mouth and throat when the food is swallowed. The body may also try to flush away the food, resulting to abdominal cramps together with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. The allergic reaction can become severe and cause difficulty in breathing or may result to a life threatening shock.
Allergies to insect venom or insect sting can result to symptoms such as hives, swollen throat, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath and shock.
