6 Main Types of Allergies
by Evelyn Lim
If you have been living
with your allergy symptoms all these while, then it is time
to do something about them. Taking medications for them over
a prolonged period of time is hardly a solution. What you can
do first of all is to get an understanding of the various
types of allergies so that you can determine an appropriate
treatment plan. There are 6 main types of allergies. They
include:
1. Food allergies. Food allergies are more common than you know of.
Most people react to a common list of foods. This list includes
soy, peanuts, wheat, shellfish, cows milk and berries. You can get
minor symptoms of intolerance such as diarrhea and bloating, or an
allergic reaction as severe as death.
2. Respiratory allergies. Most people think of allergies as
respiratory allergies. These can be triggered and caused by many
different allergens, including dust, mold, mildew, pollen, and
more. The most common symptoms of a respiratory allergy are
sneezing, coughing, runny nose, dry and itchy throat, and watery
eyes. Seasonal respiratory allergies can also exist due to changes
in pollen count and weather.
3. Asthma. Allergy-induced asthma cases are on the rise not just in
the United States but all over the world. The sources for this are
much the same as respiratory allergies, but the allergic response
causes the air passages to become inflamed, resulting in wheezing
and difficulty in breathing.
4. Skin allergies. Triggers of skin allergies include foods,
stress, drugs, pollen, and insect stings. The allergic reaction
shows up on your skin with hives, redness, a rash, swellings, or
itchiness. Skin allergies can be quite difficult to get rid of.
Some people are lucky enough to only have skin allergies in the
first few years of their life, while others have them for almost
their entire lives.
5. Drug allergies. The most common drug allergies include allergies
to penicillin, codeine, and sulfa drugs. Allergy symptoms include
hives, digestive problems, or a rash. In the most severe of drug
allergies, anaphylactic shock can occur and this can be fatal. That
is why it is so important that you report if you have any drug
allergies to your physician and your pharmacist at the start of a
medical consultation.
6. Insect sting allergies. This type of allergy occurs when an
insect such as a bee, fire ant, wasp, hornet, or yellow jacket
stings you and releases the poison into your body. Insect sting
allergies can cause pain, itching and swelling at the site of the
insect sting instantly. In the most severe cases, an anaphylactic
reaction can also develop. Medical attention would be required
immediately.
When you know what are the various sources and triggers of your
allergies are, then you can easily determine if a new remedy or
treatment would work for you or not. Additionally, it is important
to know how to treat the various types of allergies and their
symptoms so that you do not end up with an anaphylactic shock.
Educating your family and friends is also helpful so that they can
be prepared on what to do once they observe an allergic reaction in
you.
Evelyn Lim has been an allergy sufferer for
many years. She spends her time writing and researching on
natural allergy
treatments. For more free tips, please visit http://www.Allergy-Attacks.com.
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