An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly reacts to certain, usually unharmful substances called allergens. These allergens could be in the form of pollen, pet dander, dust, and even specific proteins in foods like honey, milk, and nuts. While many individuals have mild reactions, severe reactions may require an emergency hospital visit. This article lists the causes and symptoms of an allergy and how to manage it with treatment and home remedies.

Causes of an allergy
An allergy essentially occurs when your immune system considers certain harmless substances (allergens) a threat and produces a particular chemical called histamine to counter them. An increase in histamine levels leads to different symptoms, which help us identify the allergy.

What causes one’s immune system to unnecessarily react to allergens and behave abnormally? While many factors may be involved, research says that allergies could be hereditary in some cases. Also, the triggers, or allergens, could vary from person to person. Some might be allergic to foods like nuts, soy, citrus, wheat, and fish; others might be allergic to airborne particles like pollen, dander, and dust. A few people also develop allergies to penicillin and other compounds in prescription treatments.

Symptoms of an allergy
Your symptoms depend on the type of allergy and the allergen which causes it. Here are some examples:

• Hay fever or allergic rhinitis (caused by airborne particles) has symptoms like sneezing and runny nose
• Food allergies cause swelling of the tongue, lips, throat, and anaphylaxis
• Allergies due to compounds in prescriptions cause hives, tightening of the chest, and skin rash
• Sting allergies cause anaphylaxis, tightening of the chest, itchiness, and swelling

While some symptoms are mild and not easily identifiable, others are severe, demanding immediate attention.

Treatments for allergies
There is no specific cure for an allergy, and many outgrow the condition with time. Treatment only helps manage the symptoms of an allergic reaction. You can consult a specialist and choose treatment based on your allergy type, cost, and convenience. Some available treatment options are mentioned below:

Antihistamines
As mentioned, the body produces high amounts of a chemical called histamine during an allergic reaction. Antihistamines help lower the levels to prevent allergies or manage them when symptoms begin to show.

Decongestants
When exposed to allergens in the air, such as dust and pollen, some individuals may develop nasal allergies characterized by nasal congestion and shortness of breath. Decongestants in the form of tablets and nasal sprays provide short-term relief.

OTC creams
Over-the-counter lotions and creams help relieve symptoms like red and itchy skin. Skin-related symptoms could show up in any form of allergy, including food allergy and bee sting allergy.

Immunotherapy
This is a form of desensitization treatment for those persistently developing allergies and having severe reactions. The therapy involves exposing the patient to small doses of the allergen in a specialized clinic by a doctor. It is done over some time to get the body acclimatized to the allergen. The aim is to ensure that your body does not consider the allergen a threat, thus preventing a reaction.

Besides the above, doctors recommend steroids to reduce inflammation in severe cases.

Home remedies
Doctors ideally treat allergies with the help of the above treatments. But, you can use home remedies to prevent flares and build a healthy immune system. Home remedies are cost-effective and provide results if followed persistently. Expert-recommended home remedies include avoiding exposure to allergens, using air filters, saline nasal irrigation, eating probiotic-rich foods, having vitamin C supplements, and adding eucalyptus oil while washing clothes. It is advisable to consult with a doctor before following these practices.

The best way to prevent an allergy is to monitor your environment and avoid problematic allergens. But first, visit a doctor to determine the possible allergen as self-diagnosing can have severe repercussions. After a proper test and consultation with a doctor, you will be in a better position to choose among the available treatment options.