Saturday, June 2, 2012

Learning About Common Allergic Reactions

By Jeffrey Frasco


Most common allergic reactions are not life-threatening. Everyone is at risk of developing a reaction at some point in their lives. Some of these people might have never had a problem with allergies. Allergy cases can vary by type, severity, and time of occurrence. Those who suffer from potentially life-threatening or chronic conditions may want to keep a journal so that doctors, relatives, and friends will have this information in the event that the person is not able to communicate.

Allergies occur when the body's immune system tries to reject a typically harmless material. Other factors may include anxiety, minor injuries, temperature fluctuations, family histories, or exercise. Allergy-prone sufferers who have acute reactions or other medical disorders like respiratory tract infections or asthma often have a higher risk of becoming sensitive to other substances.

Well-known food allergies include peanuts, shellfish, dairy, wheat products, and strawberries. Vaccines can cause a reaction, as can antibiotics and basic remedies like aspirin. Babies are at risk of experiencing reactions to various foods such as soy, fruits, eggs, and more when they begin to eat. Other allergens can include detergents, latex, animal dander, poison ivy, and perfumes.

People who have never suffered from allergies before experience a sudden or gradual onset. For instance, they have been exposed to mustard grass their entire lives without having any problems. Then, when the flowers bloom, the person begins to have symptoms such a stuffy nose or sneezing. Another example of this is pet allergies, which may force them to give away their cat or dog.

Everyone experiences allergies differently. Minimal reactions may cause a rash that remains in one spot, where the skin may have come in contact with the allergen. Alternately, it can spread across the entire body. Mild cases usually consist of bumps and skin irritation. Severe cases can cause a breakout of hives. Minutes could pass before the breakout occurs, or several days may pass.

Swelling, blistering, itching, or crusting may also occur on the skin. An individual may also experience coughing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, or wheezing. Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may occur, but these symptoms may also be side effects that are caused by certain medications that are being taken. Hay fever usually brings on watery, itchy, and swollen eyes.

Although rare, anaphylactic shock is the most serious form of allergic reactions. The most telltale sign is tightening or closing of the throat. This can prevent a person from breathing. The victim's face may be flushed or pale, and perspiration may be present. They can also be agitated, confused, or unconscious.

Those who are knowledgeable about common allergic reactions might be able to discover what type of allergies they might get, particularly if the know their family's medical history. Journals may help allergy sufferers by allowing them to record the items that they are sensitive to. In addition, they may record their family's background to help them stop future attacks from happening. They can also give these records to their friends, relatives, and doctor. This information could be essential should the individual suffer from a medical condition or severe outbreak that will prevent them from talking.




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