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Everything You Need to

Know About Allergies
Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH
— Written by Brian Krans and Kimberly Holland —
Updated on June 5, 2018

Symptoms Skin allergies Causes

Treatments Natural remedies Diagnosis
Blood test Prevention Complications
Asthma Cold Cough Bronchitis Babies
Takeaway

Allergies

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An allergy is an immune system response
! to a
foreign substance that’s not typically harmful to
your body. These foreign substances are called
allergens. They can include certain foods, pollen,
or pet dander.

Your immune system’s job is to keep you healthy

by fighting harmful pathogens. It does this by
attacking anything it thinks could put your body in
danger. Depending on the allergen, this response
may involve inflammation, sneezing, or a host of
other symptoms.

Your immune system normally adjusts to your

environment. For example, when your body
encounters something like pet dander, it should
realize it’s harmless. In people with dander
allergies, the immune system perceives it as an
outside invader threatening the body and attacks
it.

Allergies are common. Several treatments can

help you avoid your symptoms.
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Symptoms of allergies
The symptoms you experience because of
allergies are the result of several factors. These
include the type of allergy you have and how
severe the allergy is.

If you take any medication before an anticipated

allergic response, you may still experience some
of these symptoms, but they may be reduced.

For food allergies

Food allergies can trigger swelling, hives, nausea,

fatigue, and more. It may take a while for a person
to realize that they have a food allergy. If you
have a serious reaction after a meal and you’re
not sure why, see a medical professional
immediately. They can find the exact cause of
your reaction or refer you to a specialist.

For seasonal allergies

Hay fever symptoms can mimic those of a cold.

They include congestion, runny nose, and swollen
eyes. Most of the time, you can manage these
symptoms at home using over-the-counter
treatments. See your doctor if your symptoms
become unmanageable.

For severe allergies

Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis. This is a

life-threatening emergency that can lead to
breathing difficulties, lightheadedness, and loss of
consciousness. If you’re experiencing these
symptoms after coming in contact with a possible
allergen, seek medical help immediately.

Everyone’s signs and symptoms of an allergic

reaction are different. Read more about allergy
symptoms and what might cause them.

Allergies on skin
Skin allergies may be a sign or symptom of an
allergy. They may also be the direct result of
exposure to an allergen.

For example, eating a food you’re allergic to can

cause several symptoms. You may experience
tingling in your mouth and throat. You may also
develop a rash.

Contact dermatitis, however, is the result of your

skin coming into direct contact with an allergen.
This could happen if you touch something you’re
allergic to, such as a cleaning product or plant.

Types of skin allergies include:

Rashes. Areas of skin are irritated, red, or

swollen, and can be painful or itchy.

Eczema. Patches of skin become inflamed

and can itch and bleed.

Contact dermatitis. Red, itchy patches of

skin develop almost immediately after
contact with an allergen.
 Sore throat. Pharynx or throat is irritated or
inflamed.
Hives. Red, itchy, and raised welts of various
sizes and shapes develop on the surface of
the skin.
Swollen eyes. Eyes may be watery or itchy
and look “puffy.”
Itching. There’s irritation or inflammation in
the skin.
Burning. Skin inflammation leads to
discomfort and stinging sensations on the
skin.

Rashes are one of the most common symptoms of

a skin allergy. Find out how to identify rashes and
how to treat them.
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Causes of allergies
Researchers aren’t exactly sure why the immune
system causes an allergic reaction when a
normally harmless foreign substance enters the
body.

Allergies have a genetic component. This means

parents can pass them down to their children.
However, only a general susceptibility to allergic
reaction is genetic. Specific allergies aren’t
passed down. For instance, if your mother is
allergic to shellfish, it doesn’t necessarily mean
that you’ll be, too.

Common types of allergens include:

Animal products. These include pet dander,

dust mite waste, and cockroaches.

Drugs. Penicillin and sulfa drugs are

common triggers.

Foods. Wheat, nuts, milk, shellfish, and egg

allergies are common.

Insect stings. These include bees, wasps,

and mosquitoes.

Mold. Airborne spores from mold can trigger

a reaction.

Plants. Pollens from grass, weeds, and trees,

as well as resin from plants such as poison
ivy and poison oak, are very common plant
allergens.
Other allergens. Latex, often found in latex
gloves and condoms, and metals like nickel
are also common allergens.
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, are
some of the most common allergies. These are
caused by pollen released by plants. They cause:

itchy eyes
watery eyes
runny nose
coughing

Food allergies are becoming more common. Find

out about the most common types of food
allergies and the symptoms they cause.

Allergy treatments
The best way to avoid allergies is to stay away
from whatever triggers the reaction. If that’s not
possible, there are treatment options available.

Medication

Allergy treatment often includes medications like

antihistamines to control symptoms. The
medication can be over the counter or
prescription. What your doctor recommends
depends on the severity of your allergies.

Allergy medications include:

antihistamines like diphenhydramine

(Benadryl)
 corticosteroids
cetirizine (Zyrtec)

loratadine (Claritin)
cromolyn sodium (Gastrocrom)
decongestants (Afrin, Suphedrine PE,
Sudafed)
leukotriene modifiers (Singulair, Zyflo)

Singulair should only be prescribed if there are no

other suitable treatment options. This is because
it increases your risk " of serious behavioral and
mood changes, such as suicidal thoughts and
actions.

Immunotherapy

Many people opt for immunotherapy. This

involves several injections over the course of a
few years to help the body get used to your
allergy. Successful immunotherapy can prevent
allergy symptoms from returning.

Emergency epinephrine

If you have a severe, life-threatening allergy, carry

an emergency epinephrine shot. The shot
counters allergic reactions until medical help
arrives. Common brands of this treatment include
EpiPen and Twinject.

Some allergic responses are a medical

emergency. Prepare for these emergency
situations by knowing allergic reaction first aid.
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Natural remedies for allergies

Many natural remedies and supplements are
marketed as a treatment and even a way to
prevent allergies. Discuss these with your doctor
before trying them. Some natural treatments may
actually contain other allergens and make your
symptoms worse.

For example, some dried teas use flowers and

plants that are closely related to plants that might
be causing you serious sneezing. The same is
true for essential oils. Some people use these oils
to relieve common symptoms of allergies, but
essential oils still contain ingredients that can
cause allergies.

Each type of allergy has a host of natural

remedies that may help speed up recovery. There
are also natural options for children’s allergies,
too.

How allergies are diagnosed

Your doctor can diagnose allergies in several
ways.

First, your doctor will ask about your symptoms

and perform a physical exam. They’ll ask about
anything unusual you may have eaten recently
and any substances you may have come in
contact with. For example, if you have a rash on
your hands, your doctor may ask if you put on
latex gloves recently.

Lastly, a blood test and skin test can confirm or

diagnose allergens your doctor suspects you
have.

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Allergy blood test
Your doctor may order a blood test. Your blood
will be tested for the presence of allergy-causing
antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These
are cells that react to allergens. Your doctor will
use a blood test to confirm a diagnosis if they’re
worried about the potential for a severe allergic
reaction.

Skin test

Your doctor may also refer you to an allergist for

testing and treatment. A skin test is a common
type of allergy test carried out by an allergist.

During this test, your skin is pricked or scratched

with small needles containing potential allergens.
Your skin’s reaction is documented. If you’re
allergic to a particular substance, your skin will
become red and inflamed.

Different tests may be needed to diagnose all

your potential allergies. Start here to get a better
understanding of how allergy testing works.

Preventing symptoms
There’s no way to prevent allergies. But there are
ways to prevent the symptoms from occurring.
The best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to
avoid the allergens that trigger them.

Avoidance is the most effective way to prevent

food allergy symptoms. An elimination diet can
help you determine the cause of your allergies so
you know how to avoid them. To help you avoid
food allergens, thoroughly read food labels and
ask questions while dining out.

Preventing seasonal, contact, and other allergies

comes down to knowing where the allergens are
located and how to avoid them. If you’re allergic
to dust, for example, you can help reduce
symptoms by installing proper air filters in your
home, getting your air ducts professionally
cleaned, and dusting your home regularly.

Proper allergy testing can help you pinpoint your

exact triggers, which makes them easier to avoid.
These other tips can also help you avoid
dangerous allergic reactions.
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Complications of allergies
While you may think of allergies as those pesky
sniffles and sneezes that come around every new
season, some of these allergic reactions can
actually be life-threatening.

Anaphylaxis, for example, is a serious reaction to

the exposure of allergens. Most people associate
anaphylaxis with food, but any allergen can cause
the telltale signs:

suddenly narrowed airways

increased heart rate

possible swelling of the tongue and mouth

Allergy symptoms can create many complications.

Your doctor can help determine the cause of your
symptoms as well as the difference between a
sensitivity and a full-blown allergy. Your doctor
can also teach you how to manage your allergy
symptoms so that you can avoid the worst
complications.

Asthma and allergies

Asthma is a common respiratory condition. It
makes breathing more difficult and can narrow the
air passageways in your lungs.

Asthma is closely related to allergies. Indeed,

allergies can make existing asthma worse. It can
also trigger asthma in a person who’s never had
the condition.

When these conditions occur together, it’s a

condition called allergy-induced asthma, or
allergic asthma. Allergic asthma affects about 60
percent of people who have asthma in the United
States, estimates the Allergy and Asthma
Foundation of America.

Many people with allergies may develop asthma.

Here’s how to recognize if it happens to you.
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Allergies vs. cold

Runny nose, sneezing, and coughing are common
symptoms of allergies. They also happen to be
common symptoms of a cold and a sinus
infection. Indeed, deciphering between the
sometimes-generic symptoms can be difficult.

However, additional signs and symptoms of the

conditions may help you distinguish between the
three. For example, allergies can cause rashes on
your skin and itchy eyes. The common cold can
lead to body aches, even fever. A sinus infection
typically produces thick, yellow discharge from
your nose.

Allergies can impact your immune system for

prolonged periods of time. When the immune
system is compromised, it makes you more likely
to pick up viruses you come into contact with. This
includes the virus that causes the common cold.
In turn, having allergies actually increases your
risk for having more colds. Identify the differences
between the two common conditions with this
helpful chart.

Allergy cough
Hay fever can produce symptoms that include
sneezing, coughing, and a persistent, stubborn
cough. It’s the result of your body’s overreaction
to allergens. It isn’t contagious, but it can be
miserable.

Unlike a chronic cough, a cough caused by

allergies and hay fever is temporary. You may
only experience the symptoms of this seasonal
allergy during specific times of the year, when
plants are first blooming.

Additionally, seasonal allergies can trigger

asthma, and asthma can cause coughing. When a
person with common seasonal allergies is
exposed to an allergen, tightening airways can
lead to a cough. Shortness of breath and chest
tightening may also occur. Find out why hay fever
coughs are typically worse at night and what you
can do to ease them.

Allergies and bronchitis

Viruses or bacteria can cause bronchitis, or it can
be the result of allergies. The first type, acute
bronchitis, typically ends after several days or
weeks. Chronic bronchitis, however, can linger for
months, possibly longer. It may also return
frequently.

Exposure to common allergens is the most

common cause of chronic bronchitis. These
allergens include:

cigarette smoke
air pollution

dust

pollen
chemical fumes

Unlike seasonal allergies, many of these allergens

linger in environments like houses or offices. That
can make chronic bronchitis more persistent and
more likely to return.

A cough is the only common symptom between

chronic and acute bronchitis. Learn the other
symptoms of bronchitis so you can understand
more clearly what you may have.

Allergies and babies

Skin allergies are more common in younger
children today than they were just a few decades
ago. However, skin allergies decrease as children
grow older. Respiratory and food allergies
become more common as children get older.
Common skin allergies on babies include:

Eczema. This is an inflammatory skin

condition that causes red rashes that itch.
These rashes may develop slowly but be
persistent.

Allergic contact dermatitis. This type of skin

allergy appears quickly, often immediately
after your baby comes into contact with the
irritant. More serious contact dermatitis can
develop into painful blisters and cause skin
cracking.
Hives. Hives are red bumps or raised areas
of skin that develop after exposure to an
allergen. They don’t become scaly and
crack, but itching the hives may make the
skin bleed.

Unusual rashes or hives on your baby’s body may

alarm you. Understanding the difference in the
type of skin allergies babies commonly
experience can help you find a better treatment.

Living with allergies

Allergies are common and don’t have life-
threatening consequences for most people.
People who are at risk of anaphylaxis can learn
how to manage their allergies and what to do in
an emergency situation.

Most allergies are manageable with avoidance,

medications, and lifestyle changes. Working with
your doctor or allergist can help reduce any major
complications and make life more enjoyable.

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