What are the most common allergies?
The most common allergies include:
Certain foods
Food allergies develop when your body releases a specific antibody to a particular food. An allergic reaction occurs within minutes of eating the food, and symptoms can be severe. Symptoms may include:
- Itching all over your body (generalized pruritus).
- Itching in just one certain part of your body (localized pruritus).
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Hives.
- Swelling around your mouth, including your throat, tongue or face.
If you have an IgE-mediated food allergy, symptoms may also include anaphylaxis. It may present as any one of the above symptoms or a combination of the above symptoms. It usually occurs within 30 minutes of ingesting a food you’re allergic to.
In adults, the most common food allergies are:
In children, the most common food allergies are:
- Milk.
- Eggs.
- Wheat.
- Soy.
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts.
Inhalants
Inhalant allergies are airborne substances that you inhale (breathe in). They include allergens that may affect you throughout the year (perennial allergens) and seasonal allergens.
Inhalant allergy symptoms include:
- Runny nose.
- Stuffy nose.
- Itchy nose.
- Sneezing.
- Itchy eyes.
- Watery eyes.
If you have asthma, inhalant allergies can also trigger or worsen your symptoms, including wheezing and shortness of breath.
Perennial allergens include:
- Pets. Pet allergens include certain proteins in animal fur, skin (dander), urine (pee) and saliva (spit).
- Dust mites. Dust mites are tiny, eight-legged relatives of spiders. They’re too small to see with your eyes. They live in dust and the fibers of household objects, such as pillows, mattresses, carpets and upholstery.
- co*ckroaches. co*ckroaches are reddish-brown insects that are 1.5 to 2 inches (in) long. The proteins in their feces (poop), spit, eggs and dead body parts can cause allergic reactions.
- Molds. Molds are tiny fungi (plural of fungus). They have spores that float in the air, like pollen. Common mold allergies include Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Alternaria.
Seasonal allergies include pollens. Pollen is microspores from trees, grass or weeds that appear as a fine dust on surfaces or float in the air. Tree pollens generally appear in the spring, while weed pollens generally appear in the fall.
Medications
Certain medications can cause an allergic reaction. The medicines may be herbal, over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription.
Common medications that cause allergies include:
Symptoms include:
- Rash.
- Hives.
- Itching.
- Shortness of breath.
- Swelling.
Latex
Latex allergies develop after repeated contact with natural rubber latex.
Common natural rubber latex products include:
- Rubber gloves.
- Balloons.
- Condoms.
- Bandages.
- Rubber balls.
The most common reaction to latex is skin irritation (contact dermatitis). It manifests as a rash on the area of skin that touched the latex. It may develop within minutes of exposure to latex. Other symptoms may include:
- Hives.
- Runny nose.
- Itchy nose.
- Difficulty breathing.
Venoms/stinging insects
Stinging insects can inject venom, which is a toxic substance. The venom in insect stings can cause an allergic reaction. The most common stinging insects that cause allergic reactions include:
- Bees.
- Fire ants.
- Hornets.
- Wasps.
- Yellow jackets.
Venom symptoms are consistent with anaphylaxis. They may include:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Hives.
- Swelling in your face, mouth or throat.
- Wheezing.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Rapid pulse.
- Dizziness.
- Drop in blood pressure.
Can allergies cause a fever?
No, allergies can’t cause a fever.
What causes allergies?
Allergies develop when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance or protein.
Are allergies contagious?
No, allergies aren’t contagious. You can’t spread your allergies to another person.
FAQs
As more antibodies are produced, they cause the mast cells to release histamine, which produces allergy symptoms such as a stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. These help to remove the invading pollen. Medications called antihistamines can be used to help relieve severe allergy symptoms.
What is the fastest way to get rid of an allergic reaction? ›
First Aid
- If the person develops an itchy rash, apply cool compresses and an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.
- Watch the person for signs of increasing distress.
- Get medical help. For a mild reaction, a health care provider may recommend over-the-counter medicines, such as antihistamines.
What Can I Do About Allergic Reactions? If the symptoms are severe and you have an epinephrine autoinjector, use it as directed right away and call 911 for emergency medical help. If the symptoms are mild, give an antihistamine by mouth such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl or a store brand).
What is the best medicine to treat allergies? ›
Antihistamines: You can take an OTC antihistamine every day to prevent allergy symptoms. If you don't want to take one every day, it is recommended that you start taking antihistamines 2-4 weeks before allergy season starts. Nasal steroid sprays: Nasal steroid sprays are the top choice for year-round allergies.
How do you get rid of allergy symptoms fast? ›
Try an over-the-counter remedy
- Oral antihistamines. Antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a stuffy or runny nose, and watery eyes. ...
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays. These medications improve nasal symptoms. ...
- Cromolyn sodium nasal spray. ...
- Oral decongestants.
A nonprescription oral antihistamine, such as loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, others), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy, others) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl Allergy, others), may help relieve itching. Consider whether you might prefer a type that doesn't cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about options. Apply cold.
What is the fastest allergy relief? ›
Decongestants: These offer the fastest relief. Nasal spray options should work within about 10 minutes, and oral options work within 30 to 60 minutes. Oral antihistamines: These are another quick-relief option. Many work within about 1 to 2 hours.
How long can an allergic reaction last? ›
Some allergic reactions may take two to four weeks to resolve, even with appropriate treatment. Mild allergic reactions, such as hives, hay fever, or nasal congestion, may resolve within a few hours to a day either with treatment such as medication or allergy shots or subside naturally.
What to do for allergies when nothing works? ›
You can't avoid the triggers.
- Change the filter in your home's heating and cooling systems often.
- Keep doors and windows closed.
- Stay indoors when it's dry and windy or at the times of day when pollen counts are highest.
- Run the air conditioning in your car and at home.
- Try a dehumidifier in rooms that get swampy.
Anaphylaxis needs emergency first aid. The first line treatment is injection of adrenaline (epinephrine) into the outer mid-thigh. Do not allow the person to stand or walk. Give further doses of adrenaline if there is no response after 5 minutes.
For example, you may have moved to a new area where you're now exposed to plants and trees you haven't encountered before. If you're spending more time working at home during the pandemic, you may have been exposed to dust mites. Maybe you added a furry friend to your family, and you're now surrounded by pet dander.
How to flush food allergens out of your system? ›
If symptoms are severe, that means administering epinephrine. There is no way to flush food allergens out of your system. Rather, you need to avoid ingesting the food that triggers your allergy. And if severe symptoms occur, you need to treat the symptoms, with epinephrine.
What are the three stages of an allergic reaction? ›
These stages include:
- Stage 1. Your symptoms are mild. You might not know yet if you're having an anaphylactic reaction. ...
- Stage 2. Your symptoms are now worse and on more of your body. ...
- Stage 3. As your symptoms get worse, you may have trouble breathing. ...
- Stage 4. Your symptoms are now life-threatening.
Your provider might suggest nonprescription or prescription medication in the form of pills or liquid, nasal sprays, or eyedrops. Immunotherapy. For severe allergies or allergies not completely relieved by other treatment, your provider might recommend allergen immunotherapy.
What are 3 ways allergies can be treated? ›
Your allergy treatment plan may include three treatment types: avoiding allergens, medicines, and/or immunotherapy (allergens given as a shot or placed under the tongue).
Do allergies need treatment? ›
Overview. Some allergy problems – such as a mild case of hay fever – may not need any treatment. Sometimes your allergies can be controlled with the occasional use of an over-the-counter medication. However, sometimes allergies can interfere with your day-to-day activities or decrease your quality of life.
What is the new treatment for allergies? ›
Omalizumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to IgE, has shown promise for the treatment of food allergy in numerous small trials.
