Our immune system protects our body from various infections. However, sometimes it misinterprets certain harmless substances as a threat and tries to protect us from them. The immune system does this by releasing antibodies in our body. One of them is known as IgE. This antibody works as a defense and causes allergic reactions. However, please note that its presence may or may not lead to symptoms and so diagnostic tests must be performed to detect the same.
Allergenic Foods
There are many foods that act as allergens. However, even though they are known to cause reactions in infants, the symptoms may disappear as an infant grows. On the other hand, the symptoms may continue to trouble for the entire lifetime. Some of the more common allergens have been identified are cow's milk, eggs, fish and shellfish, fruits, legumes (like peanuts), tree nuts (like walnuts and hazelnuts), cereals (like wheat).
Intolerance Vs. Allergy
There are certain symptoms like headache, muscle and joint pain and the like, that people experience. These symptoms are not allergies and are a little tough to diagnose. This kind of a problem is known as food intolerance. Some other symptoms of food intolerance are diarrhea and stomach cramps. Food intolerance must not be confused with allergies. You might be intolerant to certain foods, but you may not be allergic to them.
Indicators Of Allergic Reactions
The symptoms of allergies could range from mild to severe. Though not all of them are life threatening, some of them can pose a risk to one’s life.
We have classified here these symptoms on the basis of their severity.
• Reactions On The Skin
These symptoms are superficial and can cause embarrassment as well as discomfort. The skin can become scaly, may develop rashes or hives. There may also be redness or inflammation of the skin. It can also become itchy and irritable.
• Gastrointestinal Reactions
These moderate symptoms hit the digestive system of the affected person and may require medical attention. The various indicators in this category are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, bloating. They can make a person feel extremely sick and can cause severe stomach pain, as well. Please rush to the doctor if the person’s condition deteriorates.
• Breathing Or Respiratory Reactions
These symptoms can cause extreme discomfort as the person is unable to breathe properly. Some of the respiratory symptoms include sneezing constantly, coughing, difficulty in breathing, or a running nose. Some doctors also include watery eyes in this category. These can take a more serious turn if there is swelling in the throat, mouth, lips or tongue. In such a case, the person has to be given immediate medical attention.
• Acute Reactions
Some symptoms, though rare can be extremely dangerous or even life-threatening. Some people are hypersensitive to certain allergens. This condition is known as Anaphylaxis. The allergy, in this case, not only attacks the respiratory system or the digestive system but also the cardiovascular system. A few of the anaphylactic indicators are inflammation of the lips, the throat and the mouth. It can also result in dizziness, low blood pressure and unconsciousness. It can be fatal in rare cases.
Though the symptoms can be pretty obvious, a medical diagnosis is always helpful. The treatment of the allergic reactions will depend upon the kind of allergy you have. The diagnosis may involve the skin-prick test, some blood tests, and the challenge test (where your body is gradually exposed to increasing amounts of allergens). You need to make sure that all these tests are done under medical supervision preferably in a hospital.