Commonly asked questions about Allergies
Allergy is an atypical immune response produced by the body when it comes in contact with any foreign substance like pollen grains, dust, food, fur, etc. Answers to various commonly asked questions will provide a better understanding of allergic reactions.
Can allergies be cured?
Allergies cannot be cured. However, you can treat and control allergic symptoms. You need to keep a tab on what’s exactly triggering an allergic response. Maintain a diary to figure it out. Allergy medicines will surely reduce your symptoms.
How to know if it is cold or allergy?
Both cold and allergies can produce similar symptoms.
Check for patterns: Both can produce symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, tiredness, and headaches. Cold symptoms mostly appear one at a time: first, you sneeze, then you have a runny nose, and then the symptoms subside. An allergic reaction occurs all at once.
Look at the timing: Cold symptoms within seven to ten days. An allergy will last till your body is in contact with an allergen.
Look at nasal discharge: Colds often produce yellowish nasal discharge. This indicates an infection. The discharge is clear, thin, and watery in allergic reactions.
Season: Colds are more common during the winter season. Allergies are likely to occur during spring to fall when plants are pollinating.
Check your temperature: You can have a fever with a cold, but with an allergy, you do not get a fever.
Is there any connection between stress and allergies?
Yes, there is a link. Stress does not produce allergies, however, it can worsen an existing reaction by elevating the levels of histamine in your blood. This endogenous chemical substance can produce allergy-like symptoms.
What can trigger an allergic reaction?
Allergens such as pollens, pet dander, insect bites or stings, certain foods like nuts, fish or milk, certain plants, medicines like aspirin or penicillin are most likely to produce allergy reactions.
How is an allergic reaction triggered?
Our body produces antibodies when it comes in contact with any foreign substance. The antibodies, which are the part of body’s immune system binds to the allergen and then to mast cells and basophils, type of white blood cells that protect the body from any infection or foreign substance. These white blood cells trigger the release of an endogenous chemical substance known as histamine, which is responsible for producing allergic reactions.
What are the various allergy medicines available in the market?
Allergy medicines belonging to a class of drugs such as Antihistamines, decongestants, corticosteroids are widely used for treating allergies. Among all allergy medicines, drugs belonging to the class of antihistamines are most commonly prescribed. These include Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec, etc.
Do allergy medicines have side effects?
The most commonly observed side effects with allergy meds include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, abdominal discomfort, etc. Generally, all allergy medicines are well-tolerated.
Should you take allergy medicine every day?
Consult your physician regarding the same. You may need to take it every day during the pollen season.
The above answers to commonly asked questions will help the readers to understand more about allergic reactions.