Allergies occur when a substance triggers an allergic reaction from the immune system. The substance is called an allergen and is harmless in most cases. The immune system produces proteins known as antibodies in response to the allergen. The antibodies are created to fight against the allergen as the immune system considers it “harmful.” The response is classified as hypersensitivity.
The condition affects as many as 50 million people based in the United States every year.
List of Potential Allergens
Allergies are brought on by various factors. They can be seasonal or all year round. The immune system can get extremely sensitive when a person is in contact with the following:
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Hay
- Mold
- Pets
- Metal (nickel)
- Food (fish, wheat, peanuts, etc.)
- Drugs
- Cosmetic and household products
- Insect saliva and stingers
- Latex
Symptoms of Allergies
Some people who experience allergies won’t have the same symptoms as others with the condition. Symptoms can be either mild or severe depending on how sensitive your immune system is. Based on the allergy, effects vary as victims can experience:
- Skin rashes
- Runny nose and stuffiness
- Hives
- Swelling of the face, throat, mouth, or neck
- Headaches
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Scratchy or sore throat
- Vomiting and nausea
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Tired and weakness
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Drop in blood pressure
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Elevated heart rate
- Dizziness
- Chest pains or tightness
What is Asthma?
Asthma is characterized by a lung condition in which the airways, responsible for transporting air in and out of the lungs, are swollen or inflamed. Mucus builds up inside of them and the airways become narrower, causing the victims to have difficulty breathing. Symptoms can also include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
No cure for asthma is known. It typically develops during youth and carries on with the patients into adulthood.
Causes of Asthma
Although a definite cause isn’t known, there are multiple factors which are thought of as potential causes for asthma. It’s widely believed that genetics might play a role in making people vulnerable to the disease. If someone in your family has asthma then you could be at risk for developing it yourself.
Furthermore, patients are likely putting themselves at risk by breathing in things such as dust, tobacco smoke, chemicals from cleaning and painting products, particles from construction materials, perfumes, cold air, and air pollution for a long period of time.
As allergies have been linked to asthma, those who experience allergic reactions could develop asthma.
Other potential risk factors for asthma are:
- Being under a lot of stress
- Being obese
- Having a history of alcohol abuse
- Taking a lot of antibiotics
- Poor dieting
Dr. Summit Shah has a profession in allergy and radiology. He runs Premier Allergy which is based in the area of Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Summit Shah dedicates himself to research in treatment for those who suffer from allergies and asthma. In addition, he works at the Ohio State University College of Medicine as well as several hospitals in the state.