Environmental Allergies: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Environmental Allergies: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Environmental allergies involve an overreaction of your immune system to things existing in your everyday work, home, and outdoor surroundings.

Here you'll learn more about what they are, what causes them, and your different treatment options.

What Are Environmental Allergies?

Environmental allergies trigger a response from your immune system to something in your surroundings that's not usually harmful.

Environmental allergy symptoms can vary from individual to individual.

They're a bit different than your typical food allergies since they're not a reaction to a food you ingested.

Environmental Allergies: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment In essence, they're a response to a trigger you come across in your surroundings or they can also be a trigger to something you inhale during your daily activities.

There are five primary types of environmental allergies. These are: • • • • •

Molds Trees Dust mites Weeds Grasses

These five environmental allergy types account for around 1.5 million days of school missed each year and around 28 million lost productivity days for adults. Worldwide, there's been a 100% rise in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis or "hay fever" in each of the last 30 years in developed countries.

Environmental Allergies: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment What Are the Common Symptoms of Environmental Allergies?

Environmental allergy symptoms can be similar to having a cold, but the same thing doesn't cause them. A cold is caused by a virus, whereas allergies are a reaction caused by a response from your immune system to a specific substance in your surroundings.

Some environmental allergy symptoms include: • • • • • • •

Shortness of breath Sneezing Itching Runny nose Fatigue Wheezing Headaches

Environmental Allergies: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment What Are the Causes of Environmental Allergies?

Allergies begin when your immune system accidently mistakes a substance that is normally harmless for a dangerous invader. Then your immune system begins producing antibodies that stay on alert for this certain allergen. When you become exposed to this allergen again, the antibodies release numerous immune system chemicals like histamine which triggers symptoms.

Some common triggers or causes of environmental allergies are: • Certain foods, especially tree nuts, peanuts, soy, wheat, shellfish, fish, milk, and eggs.

• Airborne allergens like animal dander, pollen, mold, and dust mites.

• Certain medications, especially penicillin-based antibiotics or penicillin.

• Insect stings, like from a wasp or bee.

• Latex or another substance you touch that causes allergic skin reactions.

Environmental Allergies: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Environmental Allergy Risk factors

You may be more likely of developing an allergy if you:

Are a child

Have a family history of allergies or asthma like hives, hay fever, or eczema Have asthma or another type of allergic disorder

What Are the Tests for Environmental Allergies?

Environmental allergies testing may include:

Skin Testing:

This is also referred to as a scratch test where your skin is exposed to tiny amounts of allergens and the test picks up environmental allergy triggers like pets, pollen, mold and dust mites.

Environmental Allergies: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Blood Testing:

Your blood is tested to measure how many immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies it has that are specific to specific allergens. While blood testing isn't as precise as skin testing, the doctor might use it in combination with skin testing in order to diagnose and treat your allergy.

Controlling your allergies effectively requires skill, patience and planning. An allergist has specialized training that allows them to come up with an effective treatment plan specific to your individual condition. This treatment plan is designed to help you live a normal and symptom-free life as much as possible.

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