ALLERGIES

Allergy Types

Food Allergies. People often have an unpleasant reaction to something they ate and wonder if they have a food allergy.

• Milk Allergy
• Egg Allergy
• Wheat Allergy
• Nut (Peanut) Allergy
• Fish Allergy
• Sulfite Allergy
• Soy Allergy
• Casein Allergy

Seasonal Allergies

• Spring Allergies
• Summer Allergies
• Fall Allergies
• Winter Allergies

Pet Allergies

• Dog Allergy
• Cat Allergy

Other Allergies

• Hay Fever
• Allergic Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
• Hives (Urticaria)
• Allergies to Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac
• Allergies to Insect Stings (Bee Stings)
• Mold Allergy
• Pollen Allergies
• Sun Reactions of the Skin
• Aspirin Allergy (Salicylate Allergy)
• Cosmetic Allergy
• Nickel Allergy
• Drug Allergy
• Dust Allergy
• Chemical Allergy
• Penicillin Allergy

Allergy Symptoms

Mild Allergy Symptoms

Mild allergy symptoms can include:

• Rash
• Localized itching
• Congestion

Moderate Allergy Symptoms

• Widespread itching
• Difficulty breathing

Severe Allergy Symptoms (Anaphylaxis)

• Anaphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening emergency in which the body’s response to the allergen is sudden and affects the whole body. Allergy symptoms may within minutes progress to more serious symptoms, including:
  • Itching of eyes or face
  • Varying degrees of swellings that can make breathing and swallowing difficult
  • Abdominal pain
  • Cramps
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Mental confusion or dizziness

DIAGNOSIS

To evaluate whether you have an allergy, your doctor may:

• Ask detailed questions about signs and symptoms
• Perform a physical exam
• Have you keep a detailed diary of symptoms and possible triggers

If you have a food allergy, your doctor may:

• Ask you to keep a detailed diary of the foods you eat
• Have you eliminate a food from your diet (elimination diet) — and then have you eat the food in question again to see if it causes a reaction

Your doctor may also recommend one or both of the following tests:

• Skin test. Your skin is pricked and exposed to small amounts of the proteins found in potential allergens. If you’re allergic, you’ll likely develop a raised bump (hive) at the test location on your skin. Allergy specialists usually are best equipped to perform and interpret allergy skin tests.
• Blood test. A blood test that’s sometimes called the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) can measure your immune system’s response to a specific allergen by measuring the amount of allergy-causing antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. A blood sample is sent to a medical laboratory, where it can be tested for evidence of sensitivity to possible allergens.

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS

Allergy treatments include:

• Allergen avoidance. Your doctor will help you take steps to identify and avoid your allergy triggers. This is generally the most important step in preventing allergic reactions and reducing symptoms.
• Medications to reduce symptoms. Depending on your allergy, allergy medications can help reduce your immune system reaction and ease symptoms. Medications can include over-the-counter or prescription medications in the form of oral medications, nasal sprays or eyedrops.
• Immunotherapy. For severe allergies or allergies not completely relieved by other treatment, your doctor may recommend allergen immunotherapy. This treatment involves a series of injections of purified allergen extracts, usually given over a period of a few years.
Another form of immunotherapy is a tablet that’s placed under the tongue (sublingual) until it dissolves. Sublingual drugs are used to treat some pollen allergies.
• Emergency epinephrine. If you have a severe allergy, your doctor may give you an emergency epinephrine shot to carry with you at all times. Given for severe allergic reactions, an epinephrine shot (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others) can reduce symptoms until you get emergency treatment.