All about allergy

Call your health care provider if you experience any of the following: Symptoms that do not improve with self-treatment Fever that does not subside Nasal secretions that are colored, thickened, or bloody Sore throat that gets worse Earache or ear discharge Go to the hospital emergency department if you experience any of the following in [...]

The usual symptoms of hay fever include the following: Sneezing Runny nose (clear, thin discharge) Congested («stuffy») nose Postnasal drip Sensation of plugged ear(s) Watery, bloodshot eyes Itching of nose, soft palate, ear canal, eyes, and/or skin Fatigue Trouble sleeping Allergy journal

Hay fever, like all allergic reactions, is caused by allergens, foreign «invaders» that enter your body by inhalation, by swallowing, or through your skin. In hay fever, the allergens are airborne substances that enter your airways (mouth, nose, throat, and lungs) via your breathing and the linings of your eyes and sometimes ears via direct [...]

Most likely you or someone you know has allergies. The telltale itchy, puffy, watery eyes and red, stuffy nose signal changes in the seasons in homes and workplaces across the country. What these people suffer from is allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. The medical name for this condition refers to stuffy and itchy nose («rhin-»), [...]

Author: Jatinder Singh, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, St Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Coauthor(s): Mark Clark, MD, Associate Program Director, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, St Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Editors: Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM, Research Director, [...]

Most people with food allergies do well if they are able to avoid their trigger foods. With time, many people lose their antibodies to the foods to which they once were allergic to, or «outgrow» the allergy. This is most likely to happen if the trigger food is identified and eliminated from the diet. This [...]

The only sure way to prevent future food allergies is to avoid eating a trigger food. Take care because a trigger can be present in many different foods; only a trace amount can cause a reaction. Learn to read food labels carefully and know which ingredients you should avoid. When eating in restaurants, ask what [...]

Be sure to let your primary health care provider know about the reaction later if he or she was not involved in your treatment. An allergy specialist (allergist) can determine the difference between true food allergy and food intolerance. The allergist will ask you about the sequence of events that led to the reaction and [...]

The choice of medication and how it is given depends on the severity of the reaction. Epinephrine This drug is given only in very severe reactions (anaphylaxis). Epinephrine is injected and acts as a bronchodilator (dilates the breathing tubes). It also constricts the blood vessels, increasing blood pressure. Another medication with similar effects may be [...]

In a severe reaction, the first priority is to protect your airway (breathing) and your blood pressure. Your health care provider will make sure that your airway is open and that you are getting enough oxygen. Oxygen may be given through a tube into the nose or by face mask. In severe respiratory distress, mechanical [...]

For localized hives or other mild skin reactions Take cool showers or apply cool compresses. Wear light clothing that doesn’t irritate your skin. Take it easy. Keep your activity level low. To relieve the itching, apply calamine lotion or take over-the-counter antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlor-Trimeton). For all other reactions, especially [...]

After getting advice from your health care provider, some mild allergic reactions may be treated at home. Any worsening of symptoms requires medical attention.   Allergy journal

Generally a food allergy is identified by signs and symptoms. Medical professionals are trained to recognize hives, swelling patterns, rashes, and other symptoms associated with allergic reactions. You will be asked questions about your medical history and possible triggers of the reaction. Blood tests and other tests are needed only under very unusual circumstances, such [...]

If you experience symptoms of food allergy, call your health care provider right away for advice. He or she may recommend that you go to a hospital emergency department. If you are unable to reach your health care provider and are concerned about your symptoms, go to the emergency department. Severe reactions, including symptoms such [...]

A person with a food allergy can have symptoms beginning as soon as 2 minutes after eating the food, but reactions may take 1-2 hours to appear. Occasionally, symptoms abate quickly, only to recur in 3-4 hours. The most common symptoms include the following: Itching of the skin followed by hives, a rash of raised, [...]

An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an allergen, in this case a food protein. The white blood cells produce an antibody to this allergen, called immunoglobulin E or IgE. When this antibody comes in contact with the particular food protein, it promotes production and release of certain chemicals called «mediators.» [...]

For someone with a food allergy, eating or swallowing even a tiny amount of a particular food can cause symptoms such as skin rash, nausea, vomiting, cramping, and diarrhea. Because the body is reacting to something that is otherwise harmless, this type of allergic reaction is often called a hypersensitivity reaction. Rarely, a severe allergic [...]

Author: Samuel M. Keim, MD, Program Director, Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center Editor: Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor, eMedicineHealth.com Author: Kevin Hanson, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine. Coauthor: Samuel M Keim, MD, Program Director, Associate Professor, Department of [...]

Most people who have mild to moderately severe allergic reactions to a drug do very well. With treatment and stopping of the drug, most people will be much better within 48-72 hours. Most people also do well after a severe drug allergy if they are evaluated promptly by a medical professional and treatment is started. [...]

There is no known way to prevent drug allergies. You can reduce your risk by taking as few medications as possible. The more exposure your body has to medications, the greater the likelihood of a drug allergy. Always tell any new health-care provider you see about your allergies and the types of reactions you have [...]

Follow up with your health-care provider after an allergic reaction to a drug. At this follow-up appointment, he or she can evaluate your recovery from the reaction and adjust any medications. If you do not respond to the treatment prescribed for your drug allergy, it is important that you see a medical professional for re-evaluation. [...]

Generally, treatment of a drug allergy falls into three categories: Mild allergy (localized hives and itching) Treatment is aimed at caring for the symptoms and stopping the reaction caused by the drug. Medications prescribed may include antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) You may be advised to stop taking the medication that caused the allergy. Moderately [...]

For hives or localized skin reactions, perform the following: Take cool showers or apply cool compresses. Wear light clothing that doesn’t irritate your skin. Take it easy. Keep your activity level low. To relieve the itching, apply calamine lotion or take nonprescription antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlor-Trimeton). For more severe reactions, [...]

After getting advice from your health-care provider, some mild allergic reactions may be treated at home. Allergy journal

Generally a drug allergy is identified by signs and symptoms. Medical professionals are trained to recognize hives, swelling patterns, and rashes associated with allergic reactions. You will be asked questions about your medical history and possible triggers of the reaction. Blood tests and other tests are needed only under very unusual circumstances.

Always contact the health-care provider who prescribed the medication for advice. If the symptoms are mild, such as itching and localized hives, the provider may switch you to a different type of medication, recommend that you stop the medication, or, if appropriate, prescribe antihistamines to relieve your symptoms. If you cannot reach this provider for [...]

Drug allergies may cause many different types of symptoms depending on the drug and the degree of exposure to the drug (how often you have taken it). These are the most common reactions: Skin reactions: A measles-like rash Hives-Slightly red, itchy, and raised swellings on the skin, which have an irregular shape Photoallergy-Sensitivity to sunlight, [...]

An allergic reaction is caused by the body’s immune system overreacting to the drug, which is viewed as a chemical «invader,» or antigen. This overreaction is often called a hypersensitivity reaction. The body produces antibodies to the antigen and stores the antibodies on special cells. The antibody in an allergic reaction is called immunoglobulin E, [...]

Allergic reaction is an uncommon and unwanted side effect of medication. Several different types of allergic reactions to medications can occur. Reactions to drugs range from a mild localized rash to serious effects on vital systems. The body’s response can affect many organ systems, but the skin is the organ most frequently involved. It is [...]

Author: Paul A Janson, MD, Instructor, Tufts University School of Medicine; Director, EMT/RN Consultants; Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Lawrence General Hospital. Coauthor(s): Mary Buechler, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Deaconess-Glover Hospital. Editors: Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM, Research Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Francisco [...]