An Allergic Reaction Can Be Mild Or Severe

 
It may come as a surprise to you but you have likely had an allergic reaction at some point in your life without knowing it. Allergies affect many different people and since there are so many different things that we can be allergic to the likelihood of having a reaction is high. While there are many cases of serious allergic reactions that can affect multiple major body functions the majority of them are much more mild. The typical reaction to something like hay fever consists of a runny nose, scratchy throat, red eyes, and even a dry and itchy patch on your skin. Since these symptoms are similar to a common cold, many allergic reactions go unnoticed.

Many times a more mild reaction won't require any special treatment at all. If you can deal with the symptoms without affecting your quality of life you may opt to not take any type of medication. There are some over the counter medications that can provide temporary relief from the allergy symptoms but it's always advised to talk to your doctor before taking any new medicine. You should, however, get tested by your doctor or allergist to determine the exact cause so you can discuss any possible treatments.

Some Severe Allergies Require Close Monitoring

If you have been found to have a serious allergy then you may be required to carry epinephrine or an epi-pen. This can be quickly injected during an emergency to combat the effects of the allergen until you can reach medical help. Some foods like peanuts can give people serious reactions, so those people who are allergic are candidates to carry one. A doctor can help determine if it makes sense to carry one.

Immunotherapy or allergy shots are another available treatment that your doctor may recommend. They basically consist of a series of shots that condition your body to not react to the allergen when exposed. The downside is their effectiveness only lasts a couple years so you will likely need to periodically repeat the treatment. Many allergy sufferers like taking shots because they eliminate the need for buying medication when their symptoms flair up.

Without a doubt the best way to avoid an allergic reaction is to eliminate your exposure to the allergen altogether. It might mean avoiding cats and it might mean monitoring all the ingredients in the food you eat everyday. Whatever you need to do is worth it as you won't experience any allergy symptoms going forward. This may be harder than it sounds, depending on the allergen as you sometimes have no control over your environment. For example, if you are allergic to pollen (hay fever) you will have a hard time going outside during the hot and dry summer months. In this case, avoiding a reaction may become impossible so you will need to just control your symptoms as needed.

 

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