Allergies & Allergy Season

Ah-choo! Allergies – everyone seems to have one or two. But what are they, why do we have them, and what can we do about them?

Allergies are an example of your body’s immune system overreacting to a generally harmless foreign substance, such as pollen, some medications like penicillin, or a certain food like peanuts or milk, that doesn’t cause a reaction in most people. When you have allergies, your body makes something called an antibody that identifies the substance as harmful, even though it isn’t. When you come into contact with the allergen, your body reacts by sending antibodies that fight the allergen, causing histamines to inflame the area affected, such as your skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive system. The severity of your reaction can range from mild (like a sniffle or a sneeze) to severe (anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening). While most allergies can’t be cured, there are things you can do to lessen or relieve your symptoms.

Some common allergies include hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis), food allergies, insect sting allergies, drug allergies, and eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis). Symptoms vary depending on the type of allergy, but common reactions include itching and sneezing, watery eyes, swelling, hives, rashes, wheezing, and flaking or peeling skin. If you have a severe allergic reaction to an allergen, it can result in anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening medical emergency. Symptoms of anaphylaxis shock include loss of consciousness, drop in blood pressure, a rapid and weak pulse, and/or nausea and vomiting. Most people know if they have a severe allergy that can result in anaphylaxis and carry something commonly known as an EpiPen to stop the allergic reaction.

So what can we do about allergies? Most allergies can be treated with nonprescription allergy medications that contain antihistamines. These counteract the histamines activated in your body when exposed to an allergy trigger, which causes your symptoms. If over-the-counter allergy medications are not enough to relieve your symptoms, your health care provider can write a prescription for medication to treat your allergies, including prescribing an EpiPen if you have severe, life-threatening allergic reactions. If you have an EpiPen and need to use it, you should still go to the Emergency Room after giving yourself the injection to make sure symptoms don’t return when the effects of the injection wear off.

There are some steps you can take to prevent or minimize your allergic reactions. For example, avoid known triggers – stay inside with the windows closed if you have a pollen allergy and the pollen count is high. Write down what you were doing or eating if you start to have an allergic reaction to help identify triggers, what symptoms you have, and what seems to help. And finally, wear a medical bracelet if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction in the past, such as to penicillin. This can help others know that you have a serious allergy in case you have a reaction and can’t communicate.

Allergies are common and don’t have life-threatening consequences for most people. Most allergies are manageable with avoidance, medications, and lifestyle changes. People who are at risk of anaphylaxis can learn how to manage their allergies and what to do in an emergency situation. Working with your doctor or allergist can help reduce any major complications and make life more enjoyable.

Still have questions? See me in the Wellness Center, or call me at 312-513-4919. Home health might be able to help you get the relief you need from your allergies.