What is Allergic Reaction

Author: stbotanica | Posted: 06.10.2008

An Allergic reaction is your bodies' natural response to substances that your body is highly sensitive to. Some people's bodies react differently to different substances, which is why everyone is not allergic to the same thing(s). There are also varying degrees of allergic reactions that vary from mild reactions, such as a small rash, to severe reactions that can be fatal.If you have ever had an allergic reaction it was caused by your exposure to an allergen. Allergens are substances that can promote the production of histamine in our bodies. This histamine is what causes the uncomfortable symptoms that come about when we encounter allergens.The most common symptoms of an allergic reaction include:* Severe nasal congestion* Sneezing* Runny nose* Rashes* Red and itchy eyes* Clear nasal discharge* Hives* Slight swellingThere are many different kinds of allergens that trigger mild allergic reactions in many people, but the most common allergens include:• Dust* Pollen* Mold spores* Animal danderSymptomshere are also common symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. If you or someone you know experiences any of the following symptoms seek medical attention right away:* Severe swelling* Abdominal pain* Difficulty breathing* Difficulty swallowing* Vomiting* Lightheadedness* Loss of ConciousnessThe following things are the most common cause of severe allergic reactions:• Insect bites* Insect Stings* Animal bites* Food allergies* Allergies to medicationDifferent Types of Allergic ReactionsAllergies are quite common today with practically everyone suffering from some form of allergy or the other. It is the overreaction of the immune system to antigens like bee stings, some food, insect stings or pollen that triggers an allergy. There are different types of allergic reactions that manifest itself in different ways in the body.Allergies are generally mild with mild symptoms that go within a few days of getting rid of the trigger of the allergen. Occasionally, there are cases of people suffering from anaphylaxis which is a life threatening condition where there is difficulty in breathing and loss in consciousness.One type of allergic reaction is seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. This is an allergic response to pollen and other microscopic substances that exist at certain times of the year. There are also conditions where allergic rhinitis works out to be perennial, or year round.However, these kinds of allergic reactions may not actually require any treatment. The question is: How uncomfortable are you when the problem arises? People can have occasional allergic reactions due to changing seasons, or certain kinds of food, or even to some types of medication without it being a major problem. If your allergies progress to a more severe level than that, then a treatment that can help fight allergy attacks may be required.Allergic reactions can occur suddenly and in some cases can be very serious. Any person who has suffered from allergies in the past should consider carrying around epinephrine. An epi-pen can stop allergies as soon as they began. It is like a shot of adrenaline. If you have a big attack and your airway starts to close up, epi-pen can actually save your life.

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