What Is Allergy? It's Types And Diagnosis!
- Admin
- Jul 28, 2022
What is allergy? : Allergies are a hypersensitivity of the immune system to a substance that is usually harmless. These take place due to an overreaction of the immune system to substances that are usually not harmful. The substances that cause allergies are "allergens". These can take place due to anything from pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold to certain foods and medicines. The most common allergies are hay fever, asthma, and food allergies.
Well, this Article is specially about what is allergy and its types and diagnosis. Keep reading till the last to know about it. But before discussing what is allergy, we would like to let you know about Dr. Rahul Mathur, whom you can approach at Swasthya Clinic in Jaipur.
He is one of the best physicians having expertise in treating people with the allergy but also provides the right medication to deal with the effect. Sometimes it happens that the allergy is so serious that a person is not even able to cope with it. In that case, as well he provides the right treatment.
What is Allergy?
Allergy is a reaction of the body's immune system to an allergen, a substance that causes an allergic reaction. These are of two types: IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated.
- IgE-mediated allergies take place due to immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which are produced by B cells. These antibodies react with the surface of mast cells, basophils, and other immune cells to cause a release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators.
- Non-IgE mediated allergies take place due to chemicals that trigger an allergic response in the body without any involvement of IgE.
The most common type of allergy is allergic rhinitis or hay fever, which occurs when pollen in the air triggers an IgE-mediated response. Allergic reactions get trigger by food, chemicals, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, mold spores and latex.
Types of allergies:
People with allergies have their immune systems over-reactive to substances they may come into contact with. These substances include pet dander, pollen, dust mites, mold and other airborne particles. Some people are allergic to specific foods such as peanuts or milk, while others are allergic to many different things. Here in this section, we will discuss such type of allergies in detail:-
1. Drug Allergy:
Drug allergies are a type of allergic reaction that occurs when the body's immune system reacts to a drug. It usually begins with sneezing, itching, and swelling of the eyes and face. The symptoms can also include hives, rashes, or difficulty breathing. Some drugs can cause an allergic reaction in people who do not have any previous allergies. This type of drug allergy is called an IgE-mediated drug allergy because it is caused by an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE).
The most common drug allergies include the reactions to penicillin and sulfa drugs. The most important thing to remember about drug allergies is that they can be life-threatening.
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2. Food Allergy:
Food allergies are a type of allergic reaction to food. They are caused by the immune system's overreaction to a specific food. Food allergies can range from mild to severe and are life-threatening. A food allergy is an adverse reaction to food, such as a skin rash or hives, swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or eyes, respiratory problems like wheezing or asthma, stomach cramps and nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. These can be categorized into two types: IgE-mediated (type I) and non-IgE (type II).
3. Insect Allergy:
In the past decade, there has been an increase in the number of people with insect allergies. The increase is due to the rise in the number of insects and their habitat. An insect allergy is a type of allergic reaction to a specific type of insects, such as an ant or bee. Insects are covered by a variety of different types of chemicals that cause allergic reactions in humans. These chemicals are found in their body parts, like their saliva and skin secretions.
These can be mild or severe, and they can affect people who have no previous history of allergies as well as those who have had them before. The most common insect allergens are house dust mites, cockroaches, ants, bees and some types of spiders.
4. Latex Allergy:
Latex allergy is a type of allergic reaction to the proteins found in latex. This is a type of allergic response that occurs when the body's immune system reacts to proteins found in latex (a polymer made from natural rubber). The reaction can cause breathing problems, swelling, hives, and itching. These allergies are most common among health care workers who use gloves on a regular basis and individuals who have intimate contact with latex-containing materials such as condoms or balloons.
5. Mold Allergy:
Mold allergies are very common. They cause allergic reactions like sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and skin irritation. People who have this allergy can also get a headache, nausea, and chest tightness.
Mold allergies takes place due to an exposure to mold spores or mycelium. The spores are airborne particles that are in dust or on dead plants or animals. Mycelium is an underground network of threadlike strands, hyphae that grow in soil and other organic matter like compost heaps and rotting logs.
6. Pet Allergy:
Pet allergies are a type of allergy that is triggered by the animal's dander and saliva. They are also known as atopic dermatitis. These allergies can affect people of any age, but they are more common in children under three years old and adults over 65.
The most common symptoms of pet allergies include itchy, red skin and eyes, sneezing, cough, congestion, runny nose and itchy throat.
7. Pollen Allergy:
Pollen allergy is an allergic reaction that occurs when pollen enters the body through the nose and triggers a response in the immune system. It is the type of allergy that causes symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and runny nose. It can also cause an itchy, red rash on the skin. Pollen allergies are seasonal and occur during the spring and summer months when there are higher levels of plant pollen in the air.
Diagnosis of Allergies in 2022:
Allergies can be difficult to diagnose because they are often due to a number of different factors such as food, inhalant, and contact allergies.
If you suspect that your child has an allergy, it is important that you take their symptoms seriously. It is also important to know that children may outgrow their allergies over time as they grow older and develop more immune system capabilities. The diagnosing techniques that doctors consider include:-
· Checking for visible symptoms:
Diagnosing allergies requires a thorough history and physical examination. There are several other ways to diagnose allergies, such as skin testing and blood tests. Allergies are one of the most common health problems. They can be caused by many different factors, but the most common cause is food.
· Skin test:
Allergies take place due to the body's immune system overreacting to harmless substances that enter the body. When an allergen enters the body, it triggers a response from white blood cells called mast cells which release histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream. Histamine can affect many parts of the body, including your skin.
The best way to determine if you have an allergy is to use a skin test which measures how much histamine is there in your blood after getting an exposure to an allergen. This method can be in use for many different kinds of allergies such as hay fever, food allergies, environmental allergies and contact dermatitis.
· Blood test for specific antibodies:
A blood test can be used as a diagnostic tool for allergies because it can detect specific antibodies that are present in the blood that reacts with certain substances. In this case, there would be an increase in specific antibodies in response to an allergen. The blood test would provide a diagnosis of allergies by detecting these specific antibodies.
This was all about the What is allergy, and we hope right now you are aware of it. In case you are finding anything inappropriate or experiencing any problem even after consuming the medication, let the doctor know about it. This help him to analyze what is actually happening. Sometimes the antidote they suggest doesn't in your case. In such case, some other diagnosis is important.