Allergy is an inflammatory reaction caused by an exaggerated response of the immune system to substances such as pollen, food, animal, medicines, insects and mites, for example.
The symptoms of allergy vary according to the type of this condition, which may include itching and high balls in the skin, diarrhea, cough, sneezing and run a run of run. In severe cases, allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a condition that causes swelling of the lips and tongue, feeling of cake in the throat and difficulty breathing and fainting.
Anaphylaxis: what is, symptoms, causes and treatment
Thus, in the presence of symptoms indicative of allergy, it is important to consult the allergist or immunologist to make a complete evaluation and, if necessary, indicate the appropriate treatment, which may include the use of ointments, antihistamine drugs, antithermal drugs, decongestants and immunotherapy.
The main symptoms
The main symptoms of allergy are:
- Itching of the skin, nose, eyes or throat;
- Coriza;
- Red spots on the skin;
- The cry of the eyes;
- Tosse;
- It’s bloated;
- Snees.
Allergy symptoms vary depending on the substance that causes this condition and can affect the skin, the airways, the sinuses and the digestive system.
In addition, allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. In severe cases, allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a condition that causes swelling in the lips and tongue, a feeling of cake in the throat and difficulty breathing and fainting, which can lead to death.
Online test of symptoms
To know the chances of having an allergy, please select the symptoms you have:
This is a tool that serves only as guidance. Therefore, it should not replace the consultation with the dermatologist, allergist, pediatrician or general practitioner.
Types of allergies
The main types of allergy, as the cause of this condition are:
1. Allergy on the skin
Allergy in the skin is an inflammatory reaction that arises due to an exaggerated response of the immune system to substances such as deodorant, latex, animal hair, food, sun or cold, or insect bites, causing symptoms such as redness, itching and white or red balls on the skin, irritation and peeling.
The different types of allergy on the skin are:
- Contact dermatitis: Oregar after contact with substance or irritating object, such as cosmetics, perfumes, soap, cleaning product or jewelry, for example;
- Atopic dermatitis: Some factors may favor the symptoms of atopic dermatitis are change in climate, smoke, pollution, detergents and contact with synthetic fabrics;
- Allergy to sweat: It is caused by an immune system response against antigens present in sweat;
- Allergy on the face: It can happen due to contact of some substance with the skin, reaction to cosmetic products, use of medicines or food intake;
- Heat Allergy: It can be caused by sun exposure, exercise, hot baths, consumption of spicy or hot foods and alcoholic beverages, for example.
In addition, there is also water allergy, insect bite, condom, latex, and absorbent, which is a type of irritation caused by increased temperature and humidity, and the presence of compounds such as the absorbent material itself or some substance in the absorbent, such as perfumes and odor inhibitors.
2. Emotional allergy
Emotional allergy is a condition that can worsen the allergic response of the body, as stress- and anxiety-related hormones, such as cortisol, cause increased immune system exaggerated response. Emotional allergy can cause symptoms in the skin, such as itching and redness.
Read also: Emotional allergy: what is, symptoms, causes and treatment
3. Food allergy
Food allergy is an inflammatory reaction that arises after contact with some substance present in food or beverages. Thus, the types of food allergies are:
- Allergy milk protein: It is an allergy to one or more proteins of cow’s milk and happens mainly when the baby or child ingests or has contact with cow’s milk;
- Shrimp allergy: It can be identified from symptoms that arise after smelling or consuming shrimp. Generally, people with a shrimp allergy are also allergic to other seafood, such as oysters, lobster and shellfish;
- Allergy to peanuts: O occurs when the immune system identifies peanut proteins as something harmful. This type of allergy can happen with ingestion, inhalation or contact in the skin with peanuts;
- Egg allergy: It is a reaction of the immune system to proteins present in egg whites, causing an allergic reaction.
Food allergy can cause symptoms such as itching and redness in the skin, reddish and swollen plaques on the skin, swelling of the lips, stuffy nose, runny nose, diarrhea or constipation. Know all the symptoms of food allergy.
4. Allergy to medicines
Allergy to drugs happens when the immune system overreacts to a drug, producing antibodies to try to fight back and eliminate that substance from the body.
Some of the symptoms of drug allergy include itching on the skin, red and watery eyes, swollen face and/or throat, dizziness and feeling faint, for example.
5. Respiratory allergy
Respiratory allergy is characterized by an exaggerated response of the immune system to substances such as powder, pollen, animal, mites or fungi, for example, aggravating respiratory diseases.
- Allergic rhinitis: It is an inflammation of the mucosa of the nose after contact with substances such as dust, animal hair, pollen or some plants, for example;
- Allergic sinusitis: It is inflammation of the sinuses caused by allergies to dust dust, dust or food, resulting in an exaggerated response of the immune system against these allergens;
- Allergy to cat and dog: It happens due to hair inhalation, flaking skin and waste from cats or dogs.
This type of allergy can cause symptoms such as nasal discharge, constant sneezing, itching in the nose, eyes and throat, headache and dry cough, for example. Check out other symptoms of respiratory allergy.
6. Allergy in the eye
Allergy in the eye, also called eye allergy, can cause symptoms such as red eyes, burning, itching, tearing, feeling of blurred eyes and sensitivity to light, and can happen only in one or both eyes.
Allergy in the eye can be caused by the use of makeup outside the shelf life, contact with the hair of animals or dust, or due to exposure to cigarette smoke or strong perfume, for example.
Allergy in a baby
Allergy in the baby can be caused by insect bites, heat, by skin contact with some tissues or use of products, such as talc, shampoo, moisturizing cream or softeners for clothing.
In addition, the baby may also have food allergy, a reaction of the immune system to the intake of cow’s milk or derivatives, eggs, wheat and/or soy-based foods, nuts, peanuts, fish or seafood, for example.
Depending on the type of this condition, allergy in the baby can cause red balls on the skin, itching on the body, rune of diarrhea, swelling in the tongue, lips and face.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of allergy is made by the allergist or immunologist through the evaluation of the symptoms and signs presented, and the person’s health history.
If you want to confirm the risk of allergy, make an appointment with the allergologist closest to you:
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To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may also order some tests such as allergy test, such as Prick test and blood test, to identify the type of allergy; pulmonary function test, to evaluate breathing; and the radiography of the lungs or sinuses of the face.
How the treatment is done
Allergy treatment varies depending on the cause of this condition and includes the use of ointments, oral medications, immunotherapy, decongestants and home remedies.
1. Ointments and creams
Some ointments and creams that can be prescribed by the doctor to treat allergy to the skin are those that contain corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone or mometasone, antihistamines such as dexchlor-hymphharine malate, and immunosuppressants, such as pimecrolimus or tacrolimus. These ointments relieve symptoms like itching, redness, or swelling in the skin.
2.Oral medicinal products
Some oral medications that may be indicated by your doctor to treat allergy are:
- Antihistamines: Indicated in cases of respiratory, food, skin or eye allergy, in the form of a tablet or syrup, such as loratadine, bilastine, cetirizine or hydroxyzine;
- Corticoids: They decrease inflammation, and are usually prescribed in cases of severe allergies. These medicines are found as tablets, syrups, oral drops, such as prednisolone, betamethasone or deflazacorte;
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen: Recommended to decrease the inflammation of the sinuses, in cases of allergic sinusitis;
- Descongsant: Found in the form of tablets, capsules, syrup or oral solution in drops, such as phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine, is indicated for;
- Antiothermics: Paracetamol or Novalgina, prescribed in cases of fever.
In cases of severe allergies, treatment should be done as soon as possible, with injection of adrenaline into the muscle, antihhistamines and corticosteroids, such as diphenhydramine, methylprednisolone or hydrocortisone, intramuscularly or intravenously, and the use of an oxygen mask to help with breathing.
3. The de-estingsanting
Oral decongestant, such as pseudoephrine and phenylephrine, is a remedy decreases inflammation of the nasal membranes and the production of mucus, being indicated to relieve the sensation of a stuffy or oak nose, which can be caused by rhinitis or allergic sinusitis, for example.
The nasal decongestant, such as oxymetazoline, nafazolina and phenylephrine are applied to the nose, and also cause a rapid decongestant effect. However, the use for more than 3 days of these decongestants can cause nasal congestion rebound, which is when the lining of the nose increases mucus production by realizing that the secretion decreases, and thus, the discomfort can worsen.
4. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, or allergy vaccine, is a treatment done with the administration of injections that contain small amounts of the substances that cause the allergy, gradually increasing the dosage, which causes the immune system to react less or stop reacting against specific allergens.
This treatment is indicated to decrease allergy symptoms in people with rhinitis, asthma, atopic eczema, allergy to insect bites or latex, for example.
5. Home remedies
Some home remedies for skin allergy, such as a peppermint essential oil compress or washing the skin with tack tea, for example, help soothe and moisturize the skin by reducing the symptoms of itching, redness, irritation or swelling. Learn about other home remedies to treat skin allergy.
To relieve itching in the private parts, caused by allergy in the genitals, you can make a bath of chamomile seat or apple vinegar, or use the tea tree essential oil.
The use of these home remedies should not replace the treatment indicated by the doctor, being only a complement to help relieve symptoms more quickly.
Possible complications
The main complication of allergy is anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, a severe allergic reaction that arises immediately or after a few hours, after contact with some allergenic substance, causing difficulties breathing, feeling of a closed throat, swelling in the mouth, tongue or face, and may be fatal if not treated quickly.
Therefore, in case of suspected anaphylaxis, medical care should be sought immediately or the nearest emergency room for treatment to be done as soon as possible, which is usually done with the application of adrenaline, corticosteroids and antihistamines injectable, serum in the vein and bronchodilators.
Also read: Anaphylactic shock: what it is, symptoms, causes, and treatment
