Everything’s going well, you are chilling on a warm spring day when you start sneezing and you feel a little light-headed. Why does this happen? Well…have you heard of allergies before? I am 90% sure that you have; maybe you, your friends, or your family members have an allergy. But what does this mean? When you hear it, the first things that come to mind are probably sneezing or itchy eyes. And this is because these are 2 of the most common reactions to allergies. Of course, there is more than that to it, so let’s explore the “allergy world” together!
Firstly, let us take a look at the main reason these problems occur. An allergy appears when your immune system, which has the role to protect you from microbes, reacts to harmless substances. The body thinks you are in danger so it starts to produce antibodies. It memorizes the substances you need to be protected from, so if your organism thought pollen or dust are a threat, well… they will always be one. There is no way to treat an allergy after you develop it. And this answers another question: Can you be born with allergies? Well, yes. Once your body has produced antibodies against a specific substance, you are stuck with it for life. There is no escape. Keep in mind that you are at a higher risk to develop one if it runs in the family.
What are the symptoms and why do some people have it worse than others? Everybody’s experience with allergies is different. The most common symptoms, though, are cough, itchy/ watery/ red eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, scratchy or sore throat, and throat clearing. A severe allergic reaction can develop within seconds of exposure to an allergen. Anaphylaxis is a form of allergic reaction that causes life-threatening symptoms such as swelling of the airway, failure to breathe, and a rapid decrease in blood pressure. If you have an allergic reaction like this, seek medical attention right away. Without treatment, it can result in death within 15 minutes.
Since the symptoms overlap, you might be wondering how to tell if you have an allergy or if it's either a cold or the seasonal flu. In case you think you might be developing an allergy, you should talk to a doctor, who will provide skin and blood tests. This is the most effective way to diagnose allergies.
As for treatment, in most cases, over-the-counter antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl - this is one of the most used for treating this condition), can be effective for controlling mild allergic reactions. Emergency medications, such as an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), are often used by people with suspected allergies. Since it expands the airways and increases blood pressure, epinephrine is known as a "rescue drug."
Lastly, after you are sure you have an allergy, I can tell, from experience, you’ll start preventing contact with the allergen. An additional tip is to always carry your EpiPen or medication, it can be life-saving, trust me!
All things considered, stay safe, that’s the most important thing; even if you have an allergy or not, your health is very important. Just try and avoid things that can harm you in any way!
Editor- Raul Spânu & Maria Lorena Badea
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