Does a certain type of food make your tongue swell?
Does hugging a dog make your eyes itchy and nose runny?
If the answer to either of these questions is a yes, then you’re one of the many unlucky people in the world who experiences allergic reaction when coming into contact with a form of allergen. Allergic reactions vary from person to person, from the trigger to the cure. Many require immediate treatment and medication such as antihistamine or cetirizine.
If you're one of these people, here's a list of drugstores in the Philippines that provide effective anti-allergy medication for the most common cases. Read on to find out more about what's causing your allergies!
What are Allergens?
Allergens are the elements that trigger an allergic reaction when recognized by the body’s immune system. They can be either inhaled or eaten and are mostly non-parasitic. When the immune system recognizes and reacts to an allergen, it overreacts. Instead of helping the body, it ironically causes various symptoms such as rashes, swelling of the tongue or the face, watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose. The body’s sensitivity to allergens varies from person to person. If not treated properly, effects can range from mildly irritating to extremely dangerous.
Allergic reactions should not be taken lightly, and must be immediately treated. In severe cases, allergies can be life-threatening, and require going to the nearest medical facility. Allergens can be found almost anywhere, so it’s extremely important to be aware of which ones trigger a reaction in your body.
What are the common allergens?
Allergens can be found in various substances, which can include food, plants, and chemical substances. In some cases, some people even have allergic reactions to medicine.
For common food allergens, the American Food and Drug Administration identified 8 foods as the most common culprits. These are:
- Peanuts
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Crustacean Shellfish
- Tree nuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
As you can see the 8 kinds of food listed above by the US FDA are some of the most common kinds of food available in groceries and markets. These account for 90% of all food-related allergies in the United States alone.
Allergic reactions to these foods can cause various illnesses and maladies, like rashes, gastrointestinal discomfort, swelling of the skin, and even severe illnesses like asthma and anaphylaxis. People with allergies tend to have alternate diet plans, which provide food and nutrient substitutes for the food that they are not allowed to eat.
Other Allergens
Other than food, people can get allergic reactions in many different ways. These can range from insect bites, plant pollen, medical drugs, dust, smoke, and various others. Allergens are so common that it is hard to determine what can cause a person to have an allergic reaction quickly. Some people could be way past the middle age before discovering that they have an allergic reaction to a certain substance.
The following are other common types of allergens:
Insect Stings:
- Bee stings
- Mosquito bites
- Wasp sting venom
Medication:
- Penicillin
- Sulfonamides
- Salicylates
Plants:
- Flowering plants
- Plant Pollen
Inhaled Substances:
- Mold
- Mildew
- Dust
- Perfumes
- Smoke
- Chlorine
- Air fresheners
Touched Substances
- Fabrics
- Latex
- Metals
- Detergents
- Certain Plant Species
Animal Products
- Fur
- Wool
- Dust Mite Excretions
Treating Allergens
Treatment for allergic reactions depend on the trigger. So far, there is still no known permanent cure for allergies, so any treatment that a person receives is only for preventive measures. There are a good variety of medicine available that can treat symptoms, including drugs like antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids. These kinds of medicine helps stop the immune system from reacting to allergens. For a more long-term solution, allergy shots or immunotherapy is a form of treatment that can help decrease the body’s sensitivity to allergens. The effectiveness of the treatment increases with continued treatment. Make sure to consult with a licensed health professional to discuss which is the right option for you.