The Main Symptoms of Allergies and How to Treat it

Allergic reactions occur when the immune system is working overtime. For some people, certain substances do not agree with their bodies. The immune system then tries to get rid of foreign substances from the body and in the process, the person has an allergic reaction. It could be a reaction can be mild or severe. Some people may only react to a substance while another may react to many substances.

The main symptoms of allergy
The most common signs of allergies are runny nose with watery eyes and itchy eyes. Typically the skin starts to itch and people may also suffer from sneezing fits.

Different people show different symptoms when they react to allergens. For some, rashes or ulcers may appear on the skin. Hives are also common on the skin and itching is comprised of the swollen area with a pale center. In some cases, fluid can leak from the blood vessels and causes swelling under the skin, called angioedema. This can lead to asthma or other breathing problems.

How to Diagnose and Treat Allergies
Allergies are caused by allergens. The first step is to identify these allergens. Many people who are prone to allergies if someone else in their family also suffers from allergies. Your doctor will ask if anyone else in your family suffers from allergies. If you can identify the allergens that trigger their allergies, it may be easier to find the cause of your allergy.

One way to find allergens is to figure out when allergy appears most frequently and how often it happens. For example, the season does it get worst and if it comes just after you eat certain foods. Another way to find the allergen is to do a skin test. In this case, your skin is pricked with a needle. A diluted solution of various types ranging from dust to extract the drug to food or pollen is then placed drop by drop on the skin. The skin will react and turn on if allergic to any of these substances.
Someone usually says to stop all antihistamines for a certain period before the skin test done.

The best way to avoid an allergic reaction is to try and avoid the allergen. It is important to stay away from food or environmental conditions which can trigger allergies. It is very important for pregnant women. Antihistamines are also often prescribed for allergic reactions. They do not prevent the production of histamine in the body but they block the effects.