Symptoms of Common Allergies

There are many people suffering from allergies in the U.S. alone, and estimated of 50 million and their allergies are as diverse as their personalities and likings, from cats, dogs, fruits, and even smoke, allergies are very diversified. Some allergies are only seasonal, like those caused by pollen in spring and they don't have serious effects, but for many allergy sufferers, the symptoms are with the all year long. An allergy occurs when our body reacts exaggeratedly to a foreign stimulus. Generally our body reacts to protect us, but in the case of an allergy, the response is worse than whatever triggered it.

Allergies can produce many symptoms ranging from mild to very severe including sneezing, watery eyes, inflammation, rash, and headaches just to name a few. Some of these symptoms are not a cause of alarm and are considered only to e an annoyance, but in severe cases, allergies cause serious symptoms that need immediate medical attention. The symptoms can be triggered by certain foods, particles in the air, or the intrusion of a foreign particle in the body by other means.

There are many different allergies, but the most common are those produced by food or those of airborne causes. In the case of food allergies, a small group foods accounts for the vast majority of allergy cases, foods in this group include nuts, shrimps, fish and dairy products. Food allergies are very dangerous. When introduced to the body, the immune system goes crazy releasing chemicals and creating reactions that produce the symptoms.

Common symptoms of food allergies include swelling, stomach pain, vomit, eczema and diarrhea in mild cases. When the reaction is severe, the body falls into a state known as anaphylactic shock which can be deadly; blood pressure drops, we lose consciousness, and breathing becomes hard. Urgent medical attention is crucial for the patient's survival, and to avoid an allergic reaction, the only real and safe solution is to avoid the consumption of the food causing the problem.

Airborne allergies are even more common than food allergies, but their symptoms are very mild most of the time. Allergies can be sometimes confused with colds, because the symptoms are quite similar; they include watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and sour throat, but there are many medications in the market that help millions each year to fight their symptoms.

Another common type is skin allergies and they are triggered with direct contact of the allergen with the skin. Common allergens include metal jewelry, perfumes, soaps and deodorants that come in contact with the skin. The symptoms may include swelling, itching and burning, as well as redness, but they are just annoying and don't represent a serious threat.