Steve Marshal Caldwell asked:

Allergy is the most common condition through which every individual suffers at least once in his lifespan. Allergy is caused by the naturally occurring substances known as allergens. When these allergens react with your body, it release the histamines to control the effect of the allergens, hence allergy is caused. Pollen, dust, and bee venom are the types of allergens. Allergy is the result of excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils by a type of antibody known as IgE, resulting in an extreme inflammatory response. Another definition of allergy explains it as an abnormal reaction by an individual’s immune system against a normally harmless substance. Some common well-known allergic reactions are allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergies, hay fever, hives, and eczema.

Allergies are categorized in the different types on the basis of the body parts they affect and on the basis of allergens. Different types of allergies are as follows:

1. Food Allergy

Food allergy is the one of the most common type of allergy. You can not decide that who is allergic to which food item. The most common symptoms of the food allergies are runny nose, itching, urticaria, vomiting, nausea, coughing, and angioedema. When this reaction becomes severe it is called as anaphylaxis. Children suffer from the food allergic reactions the most because there immune system is not well developed and they take that food for the first time.

2. Gastrointestinal Tract Allergy

Gastrointestinal tract allergy is caused when you eat any item or inhale any item that contains allergens. The allergen enters the gastrointestinal tract and causes the irritation of the tract. Abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea are the symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract allergy.

3. Pet Allergies

Many individuals are allergic to pets. Allergens are found in the skin, hairs, saliva, and urine of pets. These allergens cause the eyes, nose, and skin allergies. Rashes, such as eczema and hives (urticaria) and irritation of eyes and nose are the symptoms caused by the pet allergies.

4. Tree or Grass Pollen Allergy

Maximum number of individual suffers from the allergies caused by the pollens that are released by the trees and plants during the flowering season. These allergies are generally called as the seasonal allergies. It is called as the allergic rhinitis. Sneezing and coughing are common symptoms caused by pollen allergy.

5. Dust Allergy

Dust allergy is caused when the dust particles (allergens) enters your nose, eyes, ear, and skin. Dust allergy is the one of allergies that can lead to the dangerous consequences. Swelling of nasal mucosa, impaired hearing due to entrance of allergens in eustachian tube, dead skin as the pores of the skin are filled with dust, and redness of eyes are the common symptoms of the dust allergy.

6. Smoke Allergy

Air pollution is growing day by day because of the smoke released from the different places. Some individuals are allergic to smoke released from vehicles, some are allergic to smoke released from factories, and some individuals to the smoke from cigarettes. These allergic show the symptoms like coughing, bronchoconstriction, wheezing and dyspnea, sometimes outright attacks of asthma.

7. Insects Stings and Bites Allergies

Allergies are caused when the insects stings or bites. Throat swelling, hives over the entire body, difficulty breathing, nausea, diarrhea, and shock are some of the symptoms caused by insect bites. Rashes on the skin are also noticed on the part where the insect bites.

8. Latex Allergy

This is the allergy seen among the individuals who are allergic to the rubber latex. Latex allergy may cause allergic reactions ranging from sneezing or a runny nose to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition. Doctor should be consulted immediately in case of severe allergic reactions.

9. Clothes Allergy

Yes, it is true that some people are allergic to clothes. Laundry detergents can cause people to break out in an itchy rash; some individuals are particularly allergic to cotton or nylon and they get red rashes on their body when they wear those clothes. Even eczema is noted in some cases.

10. Hay fever

A very common allergy caused by the pollens or anthers released by the trees or plants during the flowering season and by the release of leaves during the shedding season. Sneezing, itchy nose and/or throat, nasal congestion, and coughing are common symptoms of hay fever. You can also notice fever in the individual suffering from the hay fever.

11. Medicines Allergy

Some cosmetics or some medicines cause allergic reactions on the people either externally or internally. Antibiotics are the most common medications that cause the allergies. If you suspect a medicine allergy, talk to your doctor first before assuming a reaction is a sign of allergy. Note: Please take the medications only and only after taking the permission from the doctor.

12. Chemical Allergy

Dyes, household cleaners, and pesticides used on lawns or plants can also cause allergic reactions in some people. Sometimes even the harmful chemicals are released in the water bodies by some chemical factories and thus cause the allergic reactions when we drink that water or wash the face with that water. Please note that this is the most severe case of allergy.

Peter sams asked:


What are Allergies?

Allergies are abnormal immune system reactions to things that are typically harmless to most people. When you’re allergic to something, your immune system mistakenly believes that this substance is harmful to your body. (Substances that cause allergic reactions, such as certain foods, dust, plant pollen, or medicines, are known as allergens.)

Types of Allergies

1) Dust Mite Allergy-A dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to a microscopic organism that lives in the dust that is found in most buildings and houses. Dust mites are a common cause of perennial allergic rhinitis. Dust mite allergy usually produces symptoms similar to pollen allergy and also can produce symptoms of asthma.

2) Corticosteroids — These anti-inflammatory agents are used to treat the itching and swelling associated with a variety of allergic disorders. The most commonly used forms are corticosteroid nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis (such as Flonase, Nasalide, Nasocort, Nasonex, Rhinocort), over-the-counter topical corticosteroid creams for hives, dermatitis, and insect sting reactions, and inhaled corticosteroids for asthma. Oral or injected corticosteroids are used less frequently for more severe cases of asthma, dermatitis, or other allergic reactions.

3) Epinephrine — Epinephrine (adrenalin) is used for emergency treatment in cases of anaphylaxis due to insect sting, food, or drug allergies. It is most commonly administered with a device called an EpiPen, which is a self-injectable shot of epinephrine. Epinephrine constricts the small blood vessels in the skin and mucous membranes, which increases blood pressure and heart rate back to normal levels. Epinephrine also is an antihistamine.

4) Immune complex allergies-Medication allergies are often type-III reactions. Foreign substances in the blood – such as medication – bond with antibodies, and then with the blood vessel walls in the smaller blood vessels, for instance, in the skin or kidneys. This leads to local inflammation, for instance, a skin rash, often in conjunction with haemorrhaging, skin damage, and itching.

5) Mold Allergy-A person can develop an allergy to the molds and yeasts that are commonly found indoors and outdoors. This eMedTV segment offers an in-depth look at the specific types of molds that cause allergies, as well as several ways to prevent mold allergy.

Symptoms Of Allergy

1) Tingling in the mouth

2) Hives, itching or eczema

3) Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body.

4) Watering eyes.

5) Cramps

6) Vomiting

7) Diarrhea

Cure for Allergies

1) Vacuuming the Right Way-If the carpet can’t be replaced by a solid surface such as linoleum or hardwood, then it must be cleaned thoroughly and frequently. Also remember to vacuum upholstered furniture, draperies, and other fabric items that cannot be washed, removed, or replaced. The trouble with vacuuming is that the allergenic dust mite and mold particles become airborne during the process. Dust mite particles can remain airborne for about 15 minutes and be redistributed throughout the home environment. Allergic persons clearly should not be doing The vacuuming and should also stay out of the area until the dust particles resettle

2) . Antihistamines- are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and other allergies. Antihistamines prevent the effects of histamine, a substance produced by the body during an allergic reaction. Antihistamines come in tablet, capsule, liquid, or injection form and are available both over-the-counter and by prescription.

Darrin Reservitz asked:


The different types of allergies can also have varying manifestations. The most common allergy symptoms affect the nose, sinuses, eyes, air passages, ears, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. If we were to name the different types of allergies based on the manifestations they have, there would be three major groups: respiratory, skin, and anaphylaxis.

The most common respiratory types of allergies involve rhinitis and asthma. These two usually manifest reaction in the nose, sinuses, and the other respiratory organs. Allergic rhinitis, for instance, is the inflammation of the nasal cavity and may cause symptoms such as a runny nose, fits of sneezing, congestion, and a sore throat. Allergic asthma, meanwhile, makes a person experience breathing problems, such as gasping, wheezing, chest tightness, et cetera. The most common allergy relief products that address the symptoms of both rhinitis and asthma are antihistamines.

Skin allergies, on the other hand, usually manifest themselves in the form of rashes. Some of the more common skin allergies are eczema, which is an inflamed thick rash that sometimes scales off; urticaria, which is an itchy rash that can be as small as pimples or as big as irritated insect bites; and contact dermatitis, which results in swollen rashes that may even ooze fluid and is sometimes caused by exposure to poisonous plants or highly allergenic materials. Skin allergy sufferers must refrain from touching their rashes. They can treat the irritation with allergy relief products such as specific salves or ointments. These types of allergies that involve the skin may call for consultation with a professional.

The most serious of allergic reactions is anaphylaxis. Different types of allergies may trigger anaphylactic shock, which can lead to death. Shellfish, nuts, eggs, insect stings, and some drugs can bring forth anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis affects your body by causing your blood pressure to drop, triggering fainting spells, making your face swell, and hindering normal respiration. There are allergy relief products that can address anaphylaxis and their immediate use is of great import.

It will serve anyone well to arm himself with information about various types of allergies and the specific allergy relief products to treat the symptoms. Even if a person does not have allergies, it would still be beneficial for him to know what to do in case he encounters somebody who is having an allergic reaction and may need his help. Knowing about allergies can save lives.