Allergens vary among people, some of whom suffer from food allergies, or what is known as food allergies, and some of them suffer from allergies due to pollen or pollutants in the air, and many others.

Today we will review with you the various causes of these causes and share with you an overview of why allergies appear in the first place, their most important symptoms, how to deal with them and treat them, in addition to tips that help prevent them. All this and more in today’s article.

What are allergens?

A large portion of allergens include foods of various types that should not normally cause allergies We enumerate for you the following:

• Grains containing gluten, such as: wheat and oats.
• Nuts of all kinds.
• Milk products containing lactose.
• Eggs and products that contain them, such as mayonnaise.
• Soy and products containing it.
• Fish, whether meat or oil. 

Other allergens include:

• Pet dander.
• Pollen.
• Some types of medications.
• Detergents.
• Perfumes and cosmetics. 

You can read an article: How is an allergy test performed? 

What causes allergies to suddenly appear in the body?

Allergy is a reaction of the immune system because it identifies some allergens as harmful objects that it must confront and get rid of, even if they do not actually cause harm.

Allergies cause a number of symptoms that vary in severity from one person to another, including: 

• Skin irritation and itching.
• Sinus irritation.
• Runny nose and eyes.
• السعال.
• التورم.

What is food allergy?

A food allergy is an allergic reaction of the immune system that occurs after eating certain types of food, which varies from person to person Below we list the most common food allergens:

• Cereals.
• Crustaceans and fish.
• المكسرات.
• Milk and eggs.
• soybean.

The severity of the symptoms that may result from food allergies varies from minor symptoms to severe and serious symptoms that require immediate intervention to save the person’s life We will review with you all these symptoms below:

• Headache.
• الغثيان.
• القيء.
• السعال.
• الإغماء.
• صعوبة التنفس.
• Stomach pain.
• الطفح الجلدي.

We ask you to go to the emergency department immediately when symptoms of difficulty breathing appear, as the patient may need to administer oxygen to maintain his levels in the blood, and he may also need to inject medications intravenously to work quickly to calm the allergic reaction. 

We also draw your attention to the need to consult a doctor if you suspect that you or your children are suffering from an allergy to any type of food due to the appearance of the symptoms we just mentioned, no matter how simple they are. We advise you to avoid the foods that you suspect cause the allergy until you consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis.

Also learn about: Skin allergy to food

What does skin allergy look like?

Skin allergy appears in the form of a rash that causes the skin to become red, irritated, and itchy. Some pimples may also appear, or the skin may become swollen and show some prominent bumps raised above the surface of the skin.

The previous symptoms may also be accompanied by eye redness and irritation, in addition to increased tear production and an urge to itch.

How to get rid of skin allergies?

We share with you some tips that will help you deal with skin allergies: 

• Wash the skin with cold water immediately when exposed to a local allergen, such as detergents, chemicals, or perfumes.
• Avoid directly touching the substance that irritated the skin, in addition to avoiding inhaling it.
• Avoid touching the eyes with the hand that has been exposed to the irritating substance.
• Consult a doctor if symptoms do not subside within a few hours or if they worsen to include stomach pain and difficulty breathing.

What is the best ointment for allergies?

You can treat skin allergies and itching at home by following the tips we just mentioned, in addition to using soothing steroid ointments, such as: Alfacort, which contains hydrocortisone, but on the condition that you make sure that the affected person does not suffer from an allergy to this active substance.

What is the best medicine for allergies?

Claritine helps treat allergies in both adults and children. It comes in the form of tablets that do not cause drowsiness because it belongs to the second generation of medications designed to treat allergies. It also contributes to alleviating the annoying symptoms associated with allergies, such as: sneezing, runny nose, and itching.

You can read an article: Children's allergies

What are the most dangerous types of allergies?

The most dangerous type of allergy is anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergy that may be life-threatening and occurs quickly due to exposure to an allergen that violently irritates the immune system and causes it to secrete a large amount of substances that may shock it. 

We ask you not to be negligent in staying away from allergens that you know or even suspect that you and your children suffer from, to ensure your health and safety and to avoid violent allergic reactions from the immune system. 

Book your consultation now at مركز الجلدية والتجميل At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital 

Frequently asked questions 

What things cause allergies?

Allergies are caused by a variety of substances known as triggers or allergens, including pollen, house dust, animal dander, insect stings, and after eating certain foods such as nuts, milk, eggs, and seafood, in addition to some medications such as penicillin and chemicals in perfumes or cosmetics. Various environmental factors such as smoke or pollution can exacerbate symptoms in people with allergies, and the response varies from person to person as the immune system overreacts to these resources, and thus symptoms that range from mild such as sneezing and itching arise.

How do I know what type of allergy I have?

To find out what type of allergy you are suffering from, it is best to consult a doctor who specializes in allergy and immunology, as he will take a complete medical history and identify the symptoms and signs that appear on you and their timing. Then the doctor will conduct diagnostic tests such as a skin prick test that detects the body’s reaction to a group of allergens, or a blood test will be done to measure the percentage of IgE antibodies specific to the allergy. These procedures can help in accurately identifying the substances that trigger the allergy, which enables you to avoid them and develop the appropriate treatment plan to relieve or control the symptoms.

What tests are necessary for allergies?

The tests required to diagnose allergies include a skin test, which is one of the most common and accurate tests, where the skin is exposed to small amounts of substances suspected of causing the allergy and the skin’s reaction to them is monitored. In addition, a blood test can be performed to measure the level of antibodies specific to specific allergens. This is a useful analysis in cases where a skin test cannot be performed, such as having skin diseases or taking medications that affect the results. In some cases, the doctor requests a stimulation test under direct medical supervision, or he may request a skin patch test to diagnose a contact allergy, and the doctor chooses the test.

المصادر والمراجع :

 medlineplus – Allergen: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia