Allergies can be grouped by the nature of their symptoms, such as:

 
• Anaphylaxis  
• Respiratory (or airway) allergies, such as Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever or seasonal allergies to pollen) and asthma  
• Skin allergies, such as hives, eczema, atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis

Allergies may also be grouped by the allergen that provokes symptoms:

 
• Food allergies  
• Medication allergies  
• Allergies to insect venom  
• Environmental allergies (for example, to pollen, dust, mold or animal dander)

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis can be likened to a panic attack by the immune system in response to specific allergens. Abrupt changes in your immune system impact your nervous system, cardiovascular system, and breathing mechanism. Anaphylaxis can drop your blood pressure and can cause swelling in your throat and tongue that interferes with breathing. Anaphylaxis can swiftly lead to death if immediate medical attention is not received and if the medicine epinephrine is not given to counteract the reaction. Fortunately, only a few allergens tend to trigger this potentially disastrous reaction, and the reaction occurs in only a small number of people.

Allergens that are capable of triggering anaphylaxis in a person who is allergic to them include

 
• Certain antibiotics (penicillin, cephalosporin, sulfa-containing antibiotics)  
• Injected anesthetics  
• The dye used in radiology tests  
• Insect stings  
• Peanuts  
• Eggs  
• Shellfish  
• Latex

If you or someone in your care develops a rash or hives after the first exposure to any of these agents, it is important to avoid a second exposure.

Learn to recognize the following warning signs of anaphylaxis in yourself and others. One or two of these symptoms can occur in a condition other than anaphylaxis. But when these symptoms occur suddenly, in combination, or after exposure to a likely allergen, you should call your health care provider, 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Symptoms include:

 
• Wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, coughing  
• Itchy hives throughout the body  
• Swelling of the lips, tongue or eyes  
• Rapid heart rate or palpitations  
• Dizziness  
• Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain  
• Throat swelling, or a feeling that the throat is closing up

MYour doctor can prescribe the medicine epinephrine in a pre-filled automatic syringe, which is usually sold as the brand “EpiPen”. With this device you can give yourself an injection of epinephrine during an anaphylactic emergency, or someone in your company (as long as they are familiar with the injector) can give you the injection.

Respiratory (Airway) Allergies

Symptoms from the airways affect the nose, sinuses, throat and the lungs.

Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is inflammation, swelling, excessive secretions and itching within the nose and sinuses. Many people refer to allergic rhinitis as hay fever or seasonal allergies. Allergic rhinitis is the result of inhaled allergy triggers, including dust (which contains the feces of dust mites), molds, pollens, dog or cat or other animal dander, and proteins that are present on cockroaches or in their saliva and feces.

Airborne allergens enter the eyes, nose and throat, where they physically join to IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibodies that have been made by your immune system. After an IgE antibody affixes to an allergen particle, the antibody is able to trigger a change in cells that are called mast cells. Mast cells then release a shower of histamines into their surroundings. Histamines cause inflammation, local swelling, itchiness, sneezing and mucus production inside the nose. The eyes also become itchy, red and teary. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis commonly include:

 
• Runny nose  
• Congestion (stuffy nose)  
• Red, itchy, watery eyes with clear discharge  
• Sneezing  
• Irritated, scratchy or sore throat  
• Itchy skin

The seasonal form of allergic rhinitis occurs in the spring, summer or fall. Some people have symptoms in one, two or three of these seasons. The season depends on what time of year the particular plant, tree or grass you are allergic to produces its seeds or pollen. . You may notice that allergies to animal dander, mold, dust mites and cockroaches are worse in the winter, when you spend more time indoors.

Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms by calming down the inflammatory response and blocking the release or the effects of histamine. You can avoid the potential side effects of oral medications by using topical medications for the nose and eyes, including nasal sprays and eye drops. By far the best way to control or prevent your symptoms is to avoid your allergy triggers. For allergic rhinitis, there are a multitude of effective preventive measures to reduce exposure to indoor allergens.

Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition involving episodes of inflammation and tightened airways that make breathing difficult. Inflammation and airway constriction may worsen after exposure to common allergens, such as pollen, animal dander, mold, dust mites and cockroaches. It can also worsen during exercise, after exposure to cold temperatures, when acid reflux occurs, or when you experience stress or strong emotions. Tobacco smoke and irritating chemicals can also trigger tightening of the airways.

People with allergies of any kind should learn how to recognize the symptoms of asthma because asthma and allergies frequently occur together.

Symptoms of asthma include:

 
• Breathlessness when you exercise or are physically active  
• Breathlessness with wheezing (a musical sound in your airways as you breathe)  
• Wheezing alone  
• Cough that is persistent and usually dry, without any mucus or phlegm  
• Tightness or soreness in the chest, especially when coughing or deep breathing  
• Disruption of sleep because of breathlessness or wheezing

You should call your health care provider for an evaluation the first time you notice these symptoms. Asthma requires regular medical care and adequate treatment.

Inhalers (with or without other medications) open the airways and control inflammation. Inhalers are the main strategy with which asthma is treated. Examples of asthma inhalers include albuterol (Proventil), salmeterol (Serevent), fluticasone (Flovent), beclomethasone (Vanceril) and cromolyn (Intal and other brands). Oral medications such as prednisone, zafirlukast (Accolate), montelukast (Singulair), and theophylline (Theo-Dur) are additional medicines that can be used in combination with inhalers. When asthma is accompanied or triggered by symptoms of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, treatment with antihistamines and nasal sprays may be helpful for some people. Doctors frequently recommend antihistamines to people with allergic asthma, but they recommend them with some caution. Antihistamines can result in thickening of mucus because they reduce the moisture in your airways, and some doctors worry this might cause worsening in some people with asthma.

An important aspect of controlling asthma is preventing allergen exposure. Allergens are often the trigger for asthma symptoms and flares. People with asthma that is difficult to control with the usual treatments and preventive measures may benefit from allergy testing and allergy shots (immunotherapy).

Skin Allergies

Hives
Hives occur in many types of allergic reactions. Some people have recurring episodes of urticaria (the medical term for hives) and never find out what allergen causes them.

Hives are a specific type of rash that is often very itchy. They can be small bumps or look something like the flat raised welt caused by a mosquito bite. They can get wider or combine into an expansive hive “area” as an allergic reaction progresses. Histamine release causes the development of hives. Since scratching releases additional histamines, scratching can lead to more hives.

Hives are unusual because they may be caused by allergens, as well as by heat or cold exposure, physical pressure or excessive sweating.

Treatment for hives is the same regardless of their cause. Antihistamines are the mainstay, and corticosteroids are used to block the immune activity in stubborn hives. If you have recurring hives and you don’t know why, see your health-care provider. In rare cases, hives have been associated not with allergy but with infection, thyroid problems, lupus, hepatitis and diseases affecting blood vessels. (In these instances, hives are rarely the only symptom.)

Eczema And Atopic Dermatitis
Eczema refers to an inflamed skin rash characterized by thickened, reddened skin, sometimes with dry peeling areas on the skin surface (called “scale”). Eczema may also take the form of inflamed red patches that sometimes seep clear fluid It may or may not be caused by an allergy.

It is important to know if your eczema is related to allergy because this affects how you treat the rash. Antihistamines are the mainstay of treatment for allergy-related rashes; these medications not only to control the itching but also prevent scratching. Scratching itself can actually make the rash worse by releasing more histamine and stimulating inflammation. Often, allergy-related eczema also requires topical corticosteroids to calm down inflammation and the immune system.

“Atopic dermatitis” and “atopy” are terms used when an eczema rash is blamed on allergy. Commonly, a specific trigger is not identified but the person with eczema might have other symptoms that suggest allergy, such as allergic rhinitis. In some children with atopic dermatitis, itchy red or purple patches appear on the face, neck or arms. Children with atopic dermatitis tend to have a family history of allergies or eczema. They may have food allergies to eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, wheat or fish, or they may have allergic rhinitis or asthma.

Atopic dermatitis usually becomes milder with age and, especially in adulthood, may become limited to one area of the body, such as the hands, neck or creases inside an elbow or knee. Some people will have atopic dermatitis as children and no rash as adults.

Commonly, dry or cracked skin can cause a person with eczema to have a more active rash. It is possible that healthy skin helps to prevent eczema, by preventing allergens or skin irritants that are on the skin surface from penetrating beneath the skin where they can provoke a reaction. Prevention of dry skin is one of the most important strategies for eczema control. It is best to avoid excessively hot baths and drying soaps or lotions (which may contain alcohol and cause natural skin moisture to evaporate). Lubricating creams (that are not water or alcohol-based) or ointments are quite helpful.

Very frequently, eczema (including atopic dermatitis) requires topical corticosteroids to calm down inflammation. Other potent antiinflammatory medicines can be prescribed for severe cases. Antihistamines may be useful for reducing itching, but they have not been proven to cause improvement in an eczema rash.

Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a red or blistering rash resulting from contact between the skin and an allergen. Common allergens include poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, nickel, cobalt (in jewelry, zippers and metal snaps), neomycin (in antibiotic skin ointment) and latex.

Contact dermatitis can cause skin to be particularly itchy, red and swollen. It may cause fluid-filled blisters or bumps and may weep clear fluid. This condition takes a day or two after exposure to develop. It is not the result of an instant immune system response, as occurs with hives. After an exposure, immune cells called “T-cells” take a day or two to collect at the area of exposed skin and produce chemicals that trigger the rash.

If you develop a contact dermatitis rash, think of the possible triggers you may have been exposed to in the past two to three days, not just on the day that the rash appeared. Once you have identified an allergy that causes contact dermatitis on your skin, your best strategy is to limit symptoms is to avoid a repeat exposure.

Treatment for contact dermatitis can require a topical corticosteroid ointment or (if a large area of skin is affected) oral prednisone. Other anti-inflammatory treatments are available, and may be prescribed by your doctor. Antihistamines may be useful for reducing itching, but they have not been proven to cause improvement in a contact dermatitis rash.

Food Allergies

True food allergies affect only about 1 percent of adults, 8 percent of preschool children and 2 percent of older children and newborns. You may think more people have food allergies, but these reactions are more likely to be intolerances.

Food intolerance usually produces symptoms in the intestinal tract, such as nausea, diarrhea or abdominal pain. Examples of common food intolerances are lactose intolerance or sensitivity to caffeine. Because food intolerance does not involve the immune system, it is not potentially life-threatening like a food allergy. Food allergies can trigger anaphylaxis.

Gastroenteritis, or food poisoning, is another type of food reaction that is sometimes mistaken for food allergy. This one-time reaction is caused by an organism or toxin in food that has been contaminated, undercooked or left at room temperature too long. It doesn’t mean that the same food will give you a reaction the next time you eat it. The most common triggers of true food allergies include cow’s milk (in infants), eggs, wheat, peanuts, soy, tree nuts (walnuts and cashews), fish and shellfish. Symptoms of food allergy usually begin within minutes to an hour of eating the food allergen:

 
• Tingling, swelling and itching of the lips, mouth or throat  
• Itching or skin rash (usually hives)  
• Nausea and vomiting  
• Diarrhea

More severe symptoms can include shortness of breath or wheezing, dizziness, fainting or life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Children can outgrow a food allergy, such as the common allergy to cow’s milk. Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish, on the other hand, usually persist into adulthood. All children with allergies, particularly teen-agers who spend more time unsupervised by adults, should be educated about what they are allergic to and what to do when they are having symptoms. School personnel, babysitters, child-care providers and the parents of playmates should also be educated this way.

Food allergies of any type at any age require careful attention to what you eat. Learning how to avoid your food allergens is as important as knowing how to treat an allergic reaction with medications. Read food labels carefully. Searching for the word “egg” or “milk” is not adequate. Learn to recognize the different names for your allergen. Sometimes ingredient lists are not complete; learn about product alerts to help avoid allergic reactions.

You may need to avoid eating out at specific restaurants or ordering certain dishes. When you order foods, you need to specify exactly what ingredients you can’t eat. For example, a restaurant chef may forget that butter is a dairy product and may use that to cook your food despite your request for no milk products. People with peanut allergies need to avoid most Thai food, because peanuts are used frequently in Thai dishes. You will learn to be incredibly specific when eating out.

Medication Allergies

Any reaction to a medication is important, whether it is an allergic reaction or not. But health care providers are particularly concerned about allergic reactions to medications because they can lead to a serious, life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis on subsequent exposures. Certain types of medications are more commonly associated with anaphylaxis than others. These include penicillin, cephalosporins or sulfa drugs. A medication “side effect” that does not involve a rash or throat swelling is different than an allergy. If you experience a medication side effect, you can have the same side effect if you take that medicine or a related medication in the future. However, side effects that do not include allergic symptoms do not make you vulnerable to anaphylaxis.

When you tell your health care provider about any reaction to a medication, he or she will ask you to be specific about your symptoms. Rash, itchy throat, tight throat, trouble breathing or swallowing and anaphylaxis all suggest a true medication allergy. Your description will help your health-care provider determine whether or not you should ever take that medication again.

Insect Venom Allergies

Some people are allergic to the venom injected into the skin during an insect bite or sting. The more severe and potentially life-threatening insect allergies include reactions to bee, hornet, and wasp stings. Reactions to other insects (such as mosquitoes) tend to be milder.

With or without an allergy to insect venom, anyone can notice a spreading rash at the site soon after being stung or bitten, as well as redness and swelling. The swelling can be very dramatic, particularly if it is on the hands or face. A large local reaction is not itself a sign of an allergic reaction. However, it can mean that you have had a large exposure to insect venom, so you may be more likely to develop allergy newly after you have a large reaction. If you have a large reaction, you and your doctor may decide to do skin tests once your rash has cleared, to see if you have evidence of allergy to insect venom. If you have a true allergy, hives and itching may develop throughout the body. Emergency medical attention is necessary if symptoms of anaphylaxis develop, such as throat tightening or itching, dizziness and trouble breathing; call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Deaths from insect stings are uncommon but do happen. It is essential for people with insect allergies to prepare for a dangerous reaction. Ask your health-care provider if you should have an EpiPen, which you can use to administer epinephrine yourself, even before emergency medical help arrives.

Persistent redness or swelling around an insect sting or bite may be a sign of infection and should be evaluated by a health-care provider. Infections tend to be more painful than itchy and may be accompanied by pus around the sting or by fever. Red streaks in the skin near the sting should alert you to the possibility of a serious infection that is spreading quickly; you should seek medical attention right away.

Environmental Allergies

Environmental allergy refers to any allergy to pollen, dust mite deposits, mold, proteins, cockroach exposure, or animal dander. Allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis are common types of reactions to these allergens. The fact that they are called “environmental” allergies highlights that it is important for you to control your surroundings where you live and work, in order to minimize your allergen exposures.

Once you learn that you are allergic to something in the environment, your health-care provider can teach you how to avoid or minimize contact. In addition, you can learn how to eliminate the things in your home or work environment that harbor these allergens.