Types, Reactions and Management of Allergen Disorders

There are many different types of allergic disorders. Common allergens include ingestants, inhalants, contactants, and injectants.

Ingestants are typically foods or medications. One of the most common medication allergen is Penicillin. The common reactions to ingestants include rashes, angioedema, asthma and gastroenteropathy.

Inhalants are typically allergens like animal dander, pollens, house dust and spores or molds. The usual reactions to inhalants are rhinitis problems, pneumonitis hypersensitivity, breathing distress such as asthma and eye irritations.

Contactants are allergens that actually are applied to you or make contact with you directly such as cosmetics, chemicals, topical medications, hair dyes and latex. The common side effects to contactants include skin irritations, urticaria, eye irritations and in rare cases anaphylaxis.

Injectants are allergens that are introduced into your body such as bee venom and medications. The most common reactions to injectants include urticaria, angioedema and in some cases anaphylaxis.

Hypersensitivity to certain allergens can produce severe reactions if not life threatening reactions.

There are many types of allergies, however some of the most common are:

Allergic rhinitis which unfortunately produces many of the same side effects as sinus problems and therefore many people relate rhinitis issues as being a sinus infection. However the two while may have some of the same complaints are different and are often treated differently.

Allergic rhinitis symptoms are sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, eye irritations and nasal discharge normally watery in nature. Treatment is antihistamines, nasal decongestants, corticosteroid sprays, allergen avoidance and in some cases allergy eye drops.

Contact dermatitis symptoms include itching of the skin, burning sensation, redness and rash. Treatment includes allergen avoidance, topical antihistamine creams, corticosteroid ointments and creams.

Food allergy symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, itching, wheezing, rashes and cough. Treatment usually includes avoidance of food allergens and medications to control symptoms until the allergen reaction subsides.

Urticaria symptoms include itching, swelling, superficial skin layers wheals and redness. Treatment for urticaria includes topical or oral antihistamines and corticosteroids.

Angioedema symptoms include swelling, itching deeper tissue redness and irritations including mucus membranes. Treatment normally includes epinephrine, aminophylline and in some cases intubation to keep airways open.

Dermatitis medicamentosa symptoms include bright red rash, itching, fever, headache, malaise and arthralgias. Treatment commonly includes discontinuing immediately any medication in question, antihistamines and corticosteroids.

I have been a nurse for many years however I suffer from many different allergens that bring on not only the normal allergen type reactions of sneezing, itching, eye irritations and some breathing problems but in some cases allergens can cause my migraines. Allergen exposure for migraine sufferers can be devastating. In some instances migraines are triggered by certain irritants and in my cases allergens such as inhalants substantially increase my risk for developing full blown migraines and quickly.

References for this article include:

health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/lymphatic/lymph-system2.htm
www.4to40.com/health/index.asp
www.drbuscher.com/allergies/inhalant-allergy