Most of us are familiar with allergies. They don’t all manifest the same way. However, they usually come with some form of itching, sneezing, red puffy eyes, stuffy nose, and/or rash. About one in five people in the U.S. have at least one noticeable allergy.
What Are Allergies?
Allergies are an immune system reaction that your body enacts to protect itself. The inflammation that leads to many allergy symptoms is a healing mechanism. However, in the case of allergies, that mechanism is triggered by something generally harmless. The mechanism then goes into overdrive, making it more of a hindrance than a help.
What Causes Allergies?
An allergy is caused by a trigger, which is the specific thing that kicks your immune system into overdrive. It could be anything from drinking milk to touching an animal to getting stung by a bee.
When you make contact with your trigger, your body makes a specific protein that attaches to the allergen in your body. It then releases histamine into your blood, which is what causes a lot of the allergy symptoms you are familiar with.
How Do We Treat Allergies?
Most allergens have mild to moderate symptoms and fade eventually after you remove the trigger from the environment. Anti-allergy medication like antihistamines can reduce the symptoms much more quickly. In some cases, however, a trigger can cause a person to go into anaphylactic shock. This is a dangerous condition in which your blood pressure suddenly drops and your airways narrow, possibly blocking normal breathing. Left unaddressed, it can result in serious complications and even be fatal. If you or your loved one is going into anaphylaxis, you need to call 911 immediately.
If you or someone close to you has severe allergies, you should carry an epinephrine auto-injector, or EpiPen®, available by prescription, with you at all times, and be prepared to use it at the first sign of symptoms.
BeWell Immediate Care for Allergy Treatment Near Whittier, CA
If you are experiencing skin reactions such as rashes or sinus allergies that cause congestion, cough, cold, sinus headaches, or red puffy eyes, our team at BeWell Immediate Care can help. Schedule a consultation online, or come right into our clinic at 12533 Washington Blvd., Suite B in Whittier now.
NOTE: If someone near you is going into anaphylactic shock, do not come to the clinic. Call 911 immediately.