Subtitle: Allergens
Allergens are substances that cause an allergic reaction in some people. The most common allergens are pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, foods, and insect stings. People can also be allergic to certain medications, latex, and even certain fabrics or materials. Allergens can cause a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, depending on the person and the allergen.
Subtitle: Symptoms of Allergies
The most common symptoms of an allergic reaction include sneezing, watery eyes, congestion, coughing, hives, and skin rash. In some cases, a person may experience difficulty breathing and even anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction. Some people may also experience fatigue, headaches, and digestive issues.
Subtitle: Common Allergens
The most common allergens are pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, foods, and insect stings. Pollen is a microscopic particle that is released by flowering plants and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Mold is a fungus that can grow indoors or outdoors and can cause an allergic reaction. Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in dust and can cause an allergic reaction. Pet dander is tiny flakes of skin, fur, or feathers from animals that can cause an allergic reaction. Foods can cause an allergic reaction in some people, and common food allergens include eggs, milk, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soy. Insect stings can cause an allergic reaction in some people, and the most common stinging insects are bees, wasps, hornets, and fire ants.
Subtitle: Treatments for Allergies
There are many treatments available for allergies, including medications, allergen avoidance, and immunotherapy. Medications such as antihistamines and corticosteroids can be used to reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Allergen avoidance involves avoiding exposure to the allergens that cause the reaction. Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, involves exposing the body to the allergen in small, increasing doses to build up the person’s tolerance to the allergen.
