Allergy in adults occurs in some people when certain substances in the environment react in their body. These substances are known as allergens. Examples of allergens include dust mites, pets, pollen, insects, ticks, molds, food and active ingredients in some medicines.
How Do Allergy Diseases Develop in Adults?
Even people who spend their childhood and adolescence without allergic disease complaints can have allergic complaints for the first time in adulthood. Developing allergies that begin in adulthood – from seasonal allergies to food allergies – is possible no matter how old you are.
Most adults diagnosed with allergies have probably had an allergic attack they did not remember before in their lives.
What are the Symptoms of Allergic Disease in Adults?
Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
Sneezing and itchy, runny, or stuffy nose
Itchy, red, watery eyes
Wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cough
Itchy rashes
Swollen lips, tongue, eyes, or face
Abdominal pain, feeling sick, vomiting, or diarrhea
Dry, red, and chapped skin
Diagnosis in Allergic Diseases
Doctors diagnose allergies in three steps:
Personal and medical history. Your doctor will ask you questions to fully understand your symptoms and possible causes. Be sure to take notes and bring your previous notes. Be prepared to answer questions about your family history, the types of medications you take, and your lifestyle at home, school, and work.
Physical examination. If your doctor thinks you have allergies, he will pay attention to your ears, eyes, nose, throat, chest and skin during the examination. This examination may include a lung function test to determine how well you are pulling air out of your lungs. You may also need x-rays of the lungs or sinuses.
Tests to identify allergens. Your doctor may do a skin test, patch test, or blood test. No single test alone can diagnose an allergy. Test results are just one of many tools to help your doctor make a diagnosis.
Allergens
Several different allergens are responsible for allergic reactions. The most common are:
- Pollen
- Dusts
- Foods
- Insects
- Animal epithelia
- Mold
- Medicines
- Latex
Allergy Diseases in Adults
When the immune system compound a normally harmless substance with a dangerous substance, it can cause the onset of allergies. The immune system then produces antibodies to the allergen in question. Again, when exposed to the allergen, these antibodies can release a number of immune system chemicals, such as histamine, that cause allergy symptoms, and allergy in adults occurs in some people when certain substances in the environment react in their body. These substances are known as allergens. diseases may begin in adults.
Allergic Rhinitis (Allergic Rhinitis)
Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is an allergic response to specific allergens. Pollen is the most common allergen in seasonal allergic rhinitis. Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
– Sneeze,
– Itchy, stuffy or runny nose,
– Cough, sore throat and itching,
– Watery and itchy eyes
– Frequent headaches, extreme tiredness
– Hives
Usually one or more of these symptoms can be felt immediately after contact with an allergen. Some symptoms, such as recurrent headaches and fatigue, can only occur after prolonged exposure to allergens.
Eye Fever
When the eyes are exposed to substances such as pollen or mold spores, they can become red, itchy, and watery. These are signs of allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eyes caused by an allergic reaction to substances such as pollen or mold spores. Inside the eyelids and lining the eyeball is a membrane called the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is susceptible to irritation by allergens, especially during allergic rhinitis.
Allergic Asthma
Allergic asthma is asthma caused by an allergic reaction. It is also known as allergy-induced asthma. Difficulty breathing during allergy season can be a sign of allergic asthma. Allergic asthma sufferers often begin to feel symptoms after inhaling an allergy such as pollen. Some people may develop breathing problems from breathing allergens. This is known as allergic asthma. It occurs when the respiratory tract is swollen as part of an allergic reaction.
Urticaria (Hives)
Hives, also known as urticaria, are itchy, raised welts found on the skin. It is usually red, pink, or flesh-colored and sometimes hurts or sinks. In most cases, exposure to a drug, food, or environmental irritant causes hives. In most cases, urticaria is an acute (temporary) problem that can be alleviated with allergy medications. Most rashes go away on their own.
Drug Allergy
A drug allergy is an allergic reaction to the active ingredient in the drug. The immune system, which fights infection and disease with an allergic reaction, reacts to the drug. This reaction can cause symptoms such as rash, fever and difficulty breathing. True drug allergy is not common. Less than 5 to 10 percent of negative drug reactions cause actual drug allergy. Other conditions that occur are side effects of the drug.
Insect Allergy
Most people who are bitten by an insect will have a minor reaction. This reaction may include some redness, swelling, and itching at the sting area. Normally, it passes within hours. However, for some people, insect bites can cause a violent reaction or even death. When a person with an insect allergy is stung for the first time, their immune system can produce a relatively small amount of IgE antibody targeted to that insect’s venom. Again, the IgE antibody response is much faster and stronger if stung by the same species of insect. This IgE response leads to the release of histamine and other inflammatory chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.
Bee Allergy
Bee poisoning means a serious body reaction to the venom as a result of a bee sting. Usually, there is no serious reaction in bee stings. However, if allergic to bee stings or multiple bee stings have been experienced, a severe reaction such as poisoning may occur. Bee poisoning requires immediate medical attention. The Hornet and yellow jackets bite with the same venom and can cause the same body reaction.
Food Allergy
Food allergy is when our body’s immune system develops an abnormal response to a food. Foods that most trigger allergic reactions in adults include tree nuts such as fish, shellfish, peanuts, and walnuts. Allergic reactions can be mild or, in rare cases, cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Atopic dermatitis is caused by a skin reaction on the skin. The reaction causes ongoing itching, swelling and redness. People with atopic dermatitis may be more sensitive because their skin lacks some proteins that protect the skin’s water barrier. People with atopic dermatitis often have asthma or seasonal allergies. There is a history of allergies such as asthma, allergic rhinitis or eczema.
Adult Allergy Testing
Allergy tests are divided into skin tests and blood tests.
Tests can be done for common allergens such as plant pollen, molds, dust mites, animal epithelias, insect stings, and various foods such as peanuts, eggs, wheat, shellfish and milk. The test can also be used for some drugs such as penicillin. There are two types of skin tests:
The prick test is immersed in the surface of the skin with a small amount of allergen. The test is done on your back or inside your arms with several allergens tested at once. If you are allergic, you may experience redness and swelling at the test area.
Intradermal testing injects the allergen with a very fine needle under the first few layers of the skin. This type of skin test can be used when the result of a prick test is unclear.
Skin tests are more sensitive than blood tests, but an allergist can also use blood tests to diagnose allergies. Some situations that require a blood test are as follows:
- If you are using a drug that could interfere with allergy test results.
- If you have very sensitive skin or a serious skin condition,
- If you have previously had a reaction to an allergen and you have been advised not to be exposed further
After taking blood, the sample is sent to the lab to look for antibodies to specific allergens that indicate whether you have allergies. It takes several days to get blood test results.
Allergy Treatment in Adults
If you feel like you can’t avoid allergens, there are many medications available to help you control allergy symptoms. Decongestants and antihistamines are the most common allergy medications. They help reduce nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing and itching. Other medicines work by preventing the release of chemicals that cause allergic reactions. Corticosteroids are effective in treating inflammation in the nose.
An allergist will assist you in determining which medications are best for you and how often and how much you should use – eliminating or minimizing any side effects.
Depending on the type of allergy you have, you can train your body to be less allergic. Immunotherapy is a preventive treatment for allergic reactions to substances such as grass pollen, house dust mites, and bee venom. Immunotherapy involves administering increasing doses of the substance or allergen to which the person is allergic. Increasing doses of the allergen make the immune system less sensitive to the substance, possibly causing the production of a “blocking” antibody that reduces allergy symptoms when the substance is encountered in the future. Immunotherapy also reduces inflammation that characterizes rhinitis and asthma.
