6 Main Types of Allergies

If you have been living with your allergy symptoms all these while, then it is time to do something about them. Taking medications for them over a prolonged period of time is hardly a solution. What you can do first of all is to get an understanding of the various types of allergies so that you can determine an appropriate treatment plan. There are 6 main types of allergies. They include:

1. Food allergies. Food allergies are more common than you know of. Most people react to a common list of foods. This list includes soy, peanuts, wheat, shellfish, cow’s milk and berries. You can get minor symptoms of intolerance such as diarrhea and bloating, or an allergic reaction as severe as death.

2. Respiratory allergies. Most people think of allergies as respiratory allergies. These can be triggered and caused by many different allergens, including dust, mold, mildew, pollen, and more. The most common symptoms of a respiratory allergy are sneezing, coughing, runny nose, dry and itchy throat, and watery eyes. Seasonal respiratory allergies can also exist due to changes in pollen count and weather.

3. Asthma. Allergy-induced asthma cases are on the rise not just in the United States but all over the world. The sources for this are much the same as respiratory allergies, but the allergic response causes the air passages to become inflamed, resulting in wheezing and difficulty in breathing.

4. Skin allergies. Triggers of skin allergies include foods, stress, drugs, pollen, and insect stings. The allergic reaction shows up on your skin with hives, redness, a rash, swellings, or itchiness. Skin allergies can be quite difficult to get rid of. Some people are lucky enough to only have skin allergies in the first few years of their life, while others have them for almost their entire lives.

5. Drug allergies. The most common drug allergies include allergies to penicillin, codeine, and sulfa drugs. Allergy symptoms include hives, digestive problems, or a rash. In the most severe of drug allergies, anaphylactic shock can occur and this can be fatal. That is why it is so important that you report if you have any drug allergies to your physician and your pharmacist at the start of a medical consultation.

6. Insect sting allergies. This type of allergy occurs when an insect such as a bee, fire ant, wasp, hornet, or yellow jacket stings you and releases the poison into your body. Insect sting allergies can cause pain, itching and swelling at the site of the insect sting instantly. In the most severe cases, an anaphylactic reaction can also develop. Medical attention would be required immediately.

When you know what are the various sources and triggers of your allergies are, then you can easily determine if a new remedy or treatment would work for you or not. Additionally, it is important to know how to treat the various types of allergies and their symptoms so that you do not end up with an anaphylactic shock. Educating your family and friends is also helpful so that they can be prepared on what to do once they observe an allergic reaction in you.