Ask a doctor - What exactly are allergic reactions anyway?

Q. What exactly are allergic reactions anyway?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Seconmedic Expert

Allergic reactions are an overreaction of the body's immune system to certain substances known as allergens. Allergens can be found in food, pollen, medications and animal dander. When a person comes into contact with an allergen, their body releases histamine and other chemicals that cause the symptoms we generally refer to as an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of allergy vary from person to person depending on their sensitivity levels but typically include sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and skin rash or hives. In more severe cases people may experience wheezing, paleness and even rapid swelling of airways leading to difficulty in breathing - a condition known as anaphylaxis.

Atopic dermatitis is another symptom of allergies that manifests itself through persistent itching and dryness in the skin which can often be mistaken for eczema or psoriasis. It is important to note that only a doctor can diagnose true allergies; so if you think you may have some kind of allergic reaction it’s important to seek medical advice from your doctor or visit an allergist who has been trained specifically in treating allergies.

When it comes to treatment for allergies one size does not fit all; different treatments apply depending on the type of allergy being treated as well as individual circumstances such as age, medical history and severity/frequency of symptoms experienced by the patient. In mild cases simply avoiding exposure (e.g keeping windows closed during pollination times) might help control symptoms while immunotherapy (eagerly referred to by many sufferers) remains one of central treatments used today for patients looking at long-term relief when tackling chronic conditions such as hayfever or asthma caused by airborne allergens amongst others.. Over-the-counter antihistamines are also helpful in providing relief from quick flares up when medicines prescribed by a doctor fail contain flare ups before they become serious emergencies – but only act temporarily suppresses responses rather than ‘curing’ them altogether . The effectiveness varies from one individual patient/allergy/ drug combination too - hence why it is important for every single case mentioned above where appropriate professional opinion should consulted along with careful explanation about how best handle its particular situation.