Allergic Reactions

Allergy is a common condition shared by many, regardless of age or gender. There are also different triggers to an allergy, which makes it a challenge to understand this condition. However, it is extremely important to know how you can treat allergic reactions when they happen.

Different Types of Allergies

The best way to differentiate allergy types is understand its cause or triggers. Here are just some of the most common ones:

• Food Allergy: There are different types of food that could trigger allergies in a person. However, its severity depend on various factors including the amount of food taken, exposure to the food, and the level of sensitivity by an individual.
• Insect Venom Allergy: This type of allergy is common in children and is triggered when bitten by a particular insect.
• Airborne Allergy: Also known as allergic rhinitis, this type of allergy is triggered by airborne allergens. When symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, nasal congestion and others are manifested, it typically comes with watery or red eyes.

Symptoms of Allergic Reactions

Symptoms of allergy vary depending on the type of allergy and from person to person. However, these symptoms exhibit general symptoms. For your guidance, these generic allergy symptoms are listed below. However, all these symptoms must not necessarily appear at once:

*Swelling on the specific area of the body being affected by allergy;
*Redness on the skin;
*Formation of itchy rash;
*Dizzy feeling or collapse;
*Difficulty breathing similar to asthma attack.

Practical Care for Allergic Reactions

Preventing further damage caused by allergies begin at home. A good knowledge on your specific type of allergy is vital in preventing severe allergic reactions. Here are some practical tips you should know:

• Avoid any possible triggers to allergic reaction. For example, if your allergy is caused by a particular kind of food, make sure to avoid it at all times.
• Do not wait until reactions from allergy turn severe. Seek medical help as soon as the first signs of allergic reaction shows up.
• For mild symptoms of allergies, nonprescription medicines for allergy often respond well. You must take these medications for only a few days, however.
• If you develop rashes from allergies, anti-inflammatory steroid cream such as hydrocortisone are often effective.

Using Medical Treatment

Once the allergen has been addressed, most people suffering from allergic reactions use medication as their choice of treatment. However, when anti-allergy medication is not enough, it might require therapy, especially for people suffering from anaphylactic shock. In cases wherein an individual have difficulty breathing, oxygen is introduced into the body. Or blood pressure is given a boost by introducing intravenous fluids.

Anaphylaxis or Severe Allergic Reactions

Anaphylaxis is the term used to refer to severe and extreme cases of allergic reactions. The condition is also referred to as anaphylactic shock that involves various systems within the body. Among the fatal effects of the development of a severe allergic reaction include circulatory collapse and life-threatening respiratory conditions.

Depending on a person's sensitivity to the triggers, a several allergic reaction might happen within minutes or a few hours following the initial exposure to allergens. There is also different substances that can cause extreme allergic reactions but the symptoms are pretty much the same. Your eyes or lips might suffer from severe swelling. In some cases, swelling can occur inside your throat to make breathing extremely difficult. Other symptoms include reduction in blood pressure, failure of internal organs, nausea, abdominal cramping, dizziness, loss of mental reflex, among others.

First Aid for Anaphylaxis

Once you notice any of the symptoms listed above or you observe someone suffering from them, quickly call for emergency help. Then, observe the following first aid procedures:

• Check the person if s/he might be carrying medications for allergic attack. It might be an auto-injector of epinephrine and make sure to follow instructions for proper usage. When you press the injection into the patient's skin, hold it in place for a few seconds before removing. Then, massage the area where you have injected for fast absorption of the medication.
• While the person is lying on their back, elevate the feet slightly such that it is higher than the head.
• If the person is wearing tight clothes, make sure to loosen it up.
• If you could find a blanket or a big piece of clothing, use it to cover the patient's body.
• If possible, avoid giving the patient any drink, especially if the patient is a stranger. It might contain allergens that might trigger more allergic reactions, if not choke the patient.
• If the person is either bleeding or vomiting, turn them over on their side to allow the vomit to come out and avoid the possibility of the patient choking.
• Check the patient for vital signs. If non-existent, begin administering CPR.