Allergies Health Care Information

 

For those of us who suffer from allergies, we know how irritating or even dangerous they can be. We get allergies when our immune systems react to a foreign substance such as:

  • Airborne allergens like pollen, pet dander, dust mites and mold
  • Certain foods, particularly peanuts, eggs, milk, wheat and shellfish
  • Insect stings such as bee or wasp stings
  • Medications, particularly penicillin

Common symptoms can involve itchy eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing, a rash and itchy skin. More severe symptoms include anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening medical emergency that involves several of your body’s organs and can cause you to go into shock.

There are no cures for allergies, but the symptoms can be treated by avoiding your allergy triggers or using allergy medications. For severe allergies, your doctor may give you an emergency epinephrine shot to carry with you at all times.