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Common Allergic Reactions

Allergic Reactions and its Most Common Symptoms

Allergic reaction is due to an overreaction or hypersensitivity to a commonly harmless substance which is called an allergen. These hypersensitivity or allergic reactions ranges from mild to severe (termed as anaphylactic reactions or anaphylaxis) and can be a cause of death for some. It is hard to gage or detect whether a person will have a mild or severe symptoms as every allergic reaction is unique to the person. While some allergies are acquired, most however are developed through exposure. Majority of allergies are seasonal, thereby, allowing the person to prepare specific measures to evade exposure to the allergen. If an individual has an allergic trigger, he or she may have other allergy triggers in addition. For instance, people who are allergic to pollens (outdoor allergens) are usually allergic to molds, spores, dust, and other indoor allergens. People with asthma and lung conditions have higher percentage of suffering from both outdoor and indoor allergens.

Most people who are prone to allergic reactions are those with sensitive skin, nasal polyps (often caused and developed by a collection of localized fluid, and is to be found more often than not in the region of drainage openings of the paranasal sinuses located in the upper jaw and is most common for those who suffer from allergic rhinitis), recurrent contagion of respiratory tract, ears, nasal sinuses, history of allergic reactions, and those with asthma and lung conditions.

The body has a natural immune system that prevents toxins and other harmful bacteria and chemicals from entering the body. However, common allergens are not really classified as bacteria or toxins. They are normally harmless substance such as food or pollens. Some people just have an excessive reaction to certain stuff. Normally, antibodies can make a distinction against damaging substances from safe ones. This ability to differentiate is mysteriously lacking for some. Allergy sufferers often produce antibodies not in favor of one or few or many safe substances and thus are said to be allergic. An allergic reaction occurs when an antigen or a substance that fuel production of antibodies reacts with an antibody.

An allergic symptom depends on where the reaction suggests itself. In the nose area, runny nose and sneezing that gives rise to hay fever. Should it suggest itself in the air passages, it may lead to wheezing, strained breathing, and coughing due to contraction in the chest. Should it suggest itself on the skin, itch, red spots, rash, welts, pimples, and hives may effect. A severe response termed as serum sickness may occur if the reaction will suggest itself in the circulating blood. Serum sickness is a condition known to be caused by serum infection. This comes about when the person’s antibodies react unfavorably with the antigens present in the serum. The end result can be rashes, swelling, and fever. In rare situations, a quick and alarming fall of blood pressure and shock takes place.

Mild symptoms is usually seen on the skin such as rashes, chaffing, itchy welts or bumps commonly known as hives, pimples, crusting, severe drying, blisters, swelling, inflammation, puffiness, enlargement, watery eyes, redness, eruptions, itch, and other form of skin outbreak. Sometimes, symptoms can be seen on the face alone like puffiness, swelling or bulging, itching of eyes (also includes watering and redness), mouth or lips, throat, tongue, or of the whole face. Most symptoms reflected on face, throat and tongue are due to food allergies.

A seasonal allergy usually causes symptoms such as stuffy or the opposite which is a frequent discharge of clear and thin substance or runny nose, sneezing repeatedly, and watery and bloodshot eyes.

More severe reactions can not be seen by mere outside symptoms. Some symptoms are concentrated on the stomach such diarrhea (some even have blood on their stool), nausea or fainting sensation, vomiting, and stomach ache.

Severe and life threatening symptoms are significant lowering of blood pressure, unconsciousness, inability to breath and shock. Some may experience symptoms such as tightening or added pressure or tension on the lungs, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath, coughing, breathing noisily and wheezing.

Shock due to an anaphylactic reaction has need of urgent adrenalin by injection. Shock is distinguished by shallow but rapid breathing, fast heartbeat but weak pulse, cold but clammy or sweaty skin or palms. People with this kind or reaction require immediate attention as it can lead to cardiac arrest.