Allergy shots are given to increase your tolerance to allergens that cause allergy symptoms. At the beginning, allergy shots will be administered once or twice a week for several months. The dose is increased each time until a maintenance dose is reached. Side effects of allergy shots include itchy eyes, shortness of breath, runny nose, tight throat, redness, swelling, and irritation. Read more: Allergy Shots Article
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Allergies Quiz: Symptoms & Home Remedies
What are the causes of allergies? This online quiz challenges your knowledge of common food and household allergens,...
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The Most Common Food Allergies for Kids and Adults
What common food allergens cause the most problems for adults and children? See this list of common food allergies and learn to...
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Top 13 Ways to Tame Eye Allergies
Eye allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, cause itchy eyes and other allergic symptoms. Avoiding allergens and using medicated...
QUESTION
Allergies can best be described as: See AnswerRelated Disease Conditions
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Pregnancy (Week by Week, Trimesters)
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary by stage (trimester). The earliest pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue, and bloating. Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. Eating a healthy diet, getting a moderate amount of exercise, also are recommended for a healthy pregnancy. Information about the week by week growth of your baby in the womb are provided.
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What Are the Four Types of Allergic Reactions?
Allergists recognize four types of allergic reactions: Type I or anaphylactic reactions, type II or cytotoxic reactions, type III or immunocomplex reactions and type IV or cell-mediated reactions.
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Hives (Urticaria & Angioedema)
Hives, also called urticaria, is a raised, itchy area of skin that is usually a sign of an allergic reaction. The allergy may be to food or medications, but usually the cause of the allergy (the allergen) is unknown.
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Itch (Itching or Pruritus)
Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
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Mold (Exposure) Symptoms, Tests, and Treatment Cure
Mold exposure may cause symptoms in people who are sensitive to molds. Symptoms of mold allergy include sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, coughing, redness of the eyes, and rash. Prevent mold growth by keeping indoor humidity low, between 30%-50%, using bathroom fans when showering, repairing plumbing leaks quickly, and using an air conditioner during humid seasons.
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Allergy (Allergies)
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
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Indoor Allergens
Indoor allergens are substances that can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Common sources of indoor allergens include dust mites, cockroaches, molds, pets, and plants. Avoiding indoor allergens is one way to reduce allergy and asthma symptoms.
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Asthma
Asthma is a condition in which hyperreactive airways constrict and result in symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Causes of asthma include genetics, environmental factors, personal history of allergies, and other factors. Asthma is diagnosed by a physician based on a patient's family history and results from lung function tests and other exams. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting bronchodilators (LABAs) are used in the treatment of asthma. Generally, the prognosis for a patient with asthma is good. Exposure to allergens found on farms may protect against asthma symptoms.
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How Long Does an Allergic Reaction Last?
Allergic reactions may last for varying lengths of time. They may take a few hours to a few days to disappear. If the exposure to the allergen continues, such as during a spring pollen season, allergic reactions may last for longer periods such as a few weeks to months.
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Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time, and can be fatal. Causes of anaphylaxis can be food allergy, latex allergy, allergy to insect or but stings/bites, asthma, or other materials or conditions. Symptoms include flushing, itching, hives, anxiety, rapid or irregular pulse. Severe symptoms may be throat and tongue swelling, swallowing, and difficulty breathing. Some disorders appear similar to anaphylaxis such as fainting, panic attacks, blood clots in the lungs, heart attacks, and septic shock. If you think that you may be having an anaphylactic reaction, seek emergency care or call 911 immediately.
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Peanut Allergy
Peanut allergies causes signs and symptoms that include hives, itching, redness, and a rash. Severe reactions may cause decreased blood pressure, lightheadedness, difficulty breathing, nausea, and behavioral changes. Someone with a peanut allergy should have an EpiPen with them at all times.
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Children's Cough Causes and Treatments
Children's cough causes include infection, acid reflux, asthma, allergies or sinus infection, whooping cough, and exposure to irritants. Treatment for a child's cough include cough medicine for children over the age of four.
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Sinus Infection vs. Allergies
Both sinus infections and allergies (allergic rhinitis) cause symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose and fatigue. Sinus infection (known as sinusitis) is inflammation of the sinuses, caused by infection from bacteria, viruses, and/or fungi (molds). Allergic rhinitis occurs when certain allergies cause nasal symptoms. When a person with allergies breathes in an allergen, such as pollen, dust, or animal dander, symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, itching, sneezing, and fatigue occur.
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Fitness
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs that fit any age or lifestyle.
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What Are the Best Treatments for Allergic Conjunctivitis?
Learn what medical treatments can ease allergic conjunctivitis symptoms and help speed up your eye allergy recovery.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
- Beta Blockers (Drug Class, List of Brand and Generic Names)
- Ondansetron (Zofran) vs. promethazine (Phenergan)
- Claritin (loratadine) vs. Zyrtec (cetirizine)
- Vistaril (hydroxyzine) Side Effects, Warnings, and Interactions
- Dymista (azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate)
- Does Immunotherapy Work for Allergies?
- Side Effects of Periactin (cyproheptadine)
- Quzyttir (cetirizine)
- Side Effects of Auvi-Q (auto-injectable epinephrine)
Prevention & Wellness
- Pill Might Prevent Life-Threatening Allergic Reactions
- FDA Warns of Malfunction in Device Used to Stop Allergic Reactions
- Allergy Med Singulair to Get 'Black Box' Warning Over Psych Side Effects: FDA
- First Treatment for Peanut Allergy Approved by FDA
- Experimental Injection May Protect Against Peanut Allergy
- Sinus Infections: What You Need to Know
- Should You Try Allergen Immunotherapy?
- Health Tip: Effects of Allergy Medication
- Can EpiPens Still Work After Freezing?
- FDA Extends EpiPen Expiration Dates to Tackle Shortage
- 4 Ways to Protect Your Child From Allergic Reactions at School
- Health Tip: Caring for Your Epi-Pen
- Tick-Caused Meat Allergy on Rise in U.S.
- Health Tip: Things to Consider Before Allergy Shots
- Many With Severe Allergies Don't Carry an EpiPen: Study
- Health Tip: Create a Food Allergy Plan
- Be Smart When It Comes to Spring Allergies and Asthma
- Health Tip: Taming a Pollen Allergy
- Affected by the EpiPen Shortage? Here's What to Do
- Health Tip: Understanding Allergy Blood Testing
- Now's the Time to Tackle Springtime Allergies
- How to Fight Fall Allergies
- Arm Yourself Against Insect Sting Allergies
- A Sufferer's Guide to Easin' Sneezin' Season
- Climate Change May Worsen Sneezin' Season
- Global EpiPen Recall Now Includes U.S.
- Ready for Spring Allergies?
- FDA Approves New Treatment for Dust Mite Allergies
- Health Tip: Could Allergy Shots Help You?
- Immunotherapy Not a Quick Fix for Hay Fever
- Health Tip: Manage Allergies
- Easing Your Child's Allergies
- Health Tip: Easing Eye Allergies
- Spring Allergies? Don't Assume It's Only Pollen
- Allergy Shots Still Effective for Seniors
- How to Avoid July Fourth Allergy Flare-Ups
- Under-the-Tongue Hay Fever Pills Offer Little Benefit: Study
- Tips for Managing Spring Allergies
- Spring Allergies Coming Into Bloom
- Babies Who Eat Peanuts Early May Avoid Allergy
- Sizing Up Your Options for Hay Fever Relief
- Yoga May Not Help Ease Asthma, Study Suggests
- Winter's Polar Vortex Ushers in Spring's 'Pollen Vortex'
- Got Hay Fever? New Tablets vs. Allergy Shots
- FDA Approves Under-the-Tongue Hay Fever Pill
- Spring Pollen Allergies
- Could Mothers' Allergy Shots in Pregnancy Lower Kids' Risk?
- Watch Out for Backyard Allergy Triggers
- 5 Things Kids Should Tell Their Asthma Doctor
- Your Summer Cold May Actually Be an Allergic Reaction
- Health Tip: Pondering Allergy Shots?
- Health Tip: Control Pet Allergies
- Springtime Allergies More Severe, Last Longer Now, Experts Say
- Oral Allergy Treatment May Ease Asthma, Hay Fever, Study Finds
- Many Allergic to Fire Ant's Sting Don't Get Preventive Shots
- Acupuncture May Help Ease Hay Fever
- The 10 Worst Places for Fall Allergies in 2012
- That May Not Be a Cold, Could Be Fall Allergies
- Relieve Ragweed Allergies Without Shots
- Mild Winter Heralds Early Sneezin' Season
- Carbon Dioxide Gas May Treat Nasal Allergies
- Little Insects, Big Allergic Reactions
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