An allergy is an immune system response to foreign particles or substances that are not typically harmful to your body. These foreign substances are called allergens and include certain foods, pollen, or pet dander. Your immune system’s work is to keep you healthy by fighting and attacking harmful pathogens. This is achieved by attacking anything it thinks poses a risk to your body. Depending on the allergen, this response may involve inflammation, sneezing, rashes or a host of other symptoms.

The immune system generally adjusts to your environment since it is highly flexible. For example, when your body encounters something like pollen grains, it should realize it’s harmless. In people with pollen allergies, the immune system perceives it as an outside invader threatening the body and attacks it, which results in incessant sneezing.

The level of pollution in the atmosphere has a direct impact on the number of allergens in the air. Many people suffer from recurrent allergies due to the changing season. The main symptoms of an allergic reaction and reduced resistance are troubled breaths, cough, sneezes, runny nose, sore throat, rash on the skin, constant itches, scalp problems, low-blood pressure, asthma, odor, rash, itching, excessive heat.

Certain tests are recommended as a means to diagnose allergies. A blood test, patch test, and skin prick test are usually advised, especially before the allergy season. The method of treatment is then decided depending on the stage and severity of allergy symptoms and test results. The best way to tackle allergies is to stay away from whatever triggers the reaction. If that’s not possible, there are treatment options available, fortunately.

Symptoms of allergies from food

• Bile and nausea
• Itching on the lips, face, tongue, and soreness
• A sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Difficulty in breathing
• Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
• Depression, light headache or dizziness

Diagnosis of an allergy
First, your physician needs to be apprised of your symptoms and will perform a physical test. They’ll try to find out anything unusual you may have eaten recently and any substances you may have come in contact with. For example, if you have a rash on your hands, your doctor may ask if you put on metal bracelets recently.

In the end, a blood test and skin test, patch test can confirm or diagnose allergens your doctor suspects you have.

Allergies are very common and don’t have life-threatening consequences for most people. Most allergies are manageable with suitable precautions, medications, and lifestyle changes. Working with your physician or allergist can help reduce any major complications and make life comfortable.

Medication
Allergy treatment mostly includes medications like antihistamines to control the symptoms and depends on the severity of your allergies.

• antihistamines like diphenhydramine
• corticosteroids
• cetirizine
• loratadine

Overcoming the allergy by identifying and avoiding the allergen seems like an effortless solution. But it usually takes a long time to identify the trigger, so the treatment is delayed in many cases. Today blood tests for allergy are easier and more accurate than before, making cases easily treatable.