4 Common Allergic Conditions And Their Symptoms

Allergies are amongst the most common disease that plagues a major proportion of the world population. An allergy is an exaggerated immune response that occurs as a result of exposure to an environmental agent (trigger). These triggers may vary from household chemicals to dust mites, molds, food, and more. The allergic reactions may vary from person to person as a trigger for one may not cause any reaction for the other. Let us know about 4 most common allergic conditions and their symptoms:

Asthma: Asthma is a condition characterized by the inflammation in the airways of the lungs. People suffering from asthma have sensitive airways which tend to get inflamed on exposure to triggers such as pollen and dust. These triggers irritate the airways and result in the formation of sticky mucus inside them, which cause them to narrow down. The most common symptoms of asthma include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Tightness of chest
• Shortness of breath
• Limitation of activities

The symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the attack. Moreover, they depend on the season and the time of the day. Asthma in children is particularly serious and must be treated appropriately.

Atopic Eczema/Dermatitis: An allergy of the skin, Eczema is usually seen in young children, though adults may also encounter it. It is an itchy skin rash with pinks that come together to form patches. Dermatitis is the form of eczema which is attributed to external factors. The symptoms of eczema include:

• Itchy and dry skin
• Cracked skin
• Redness
• Soreness

Some people may have dry patches while others may come across widespread inflammation. The most affected areas are hand, back of the knees, inside of the elbows, face and scalp. These symptoms may be seen sporadically, with periodic flare-ups from time to time.

Food Allergies/Intolerance:  One of the most common forms of allergy that Atlanta allergy doctors  report is food intolerance. Food intolerance, as the name suggests, is the intolerance to certain kinds of food. It may be triggered by the consumption of trigger foods such as cow’s milk, eggs, walnuts, peanuts, fish, wheat and soy. The symptoms vary from person to person but the most common ones include:

• Vomiting and nausea
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Wheezing
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Skin rashes

Sometimes, food allergy can be life threatening and cause a serious condition called Anaphylaxis, a serious reaction that can result in impaired breathing and even shock.

Drug Allergy: Just as some people are allergic to certain food items, there are some who react adversely to medications. The reactions are in the form of side effects, which may cause minor and sometimes more serious implications. This is the reason that prescription drugs are made to undergo rigorous testing to ensure their safety for human beings. Despite these measures, some people may still come across drug allergies. Here are some symptoms that are commonly manifested in drug reaction cases:

• Widespread itchy rash
• Difficulty in breathing
• Wheezing
• Tightness of chest
• Localized swelling (on the face, throat or tongue)
• Loss of consciousness

Drug allergies can be serious, sometimes even fatal and need emergency care. It is important for patients and [practitioners to be aware of these allergies and keep them well-documented. Such medications should be discontinues as well as never be used in future.

The patient should seek consultation from an expert allergist to identify the triggers and treat the allergies. Mutual collaboration and open communication between them is the best approach to make the treatment plan more effective and comprehensive.