A Guide to the Different Types of Allergies

Dealing with allergies is never fun, no matter if you sneeze when you’re near a cat or get hives when you eat peanuts.

Unfortunately, allergies are more common than you think. 40% of American children and 30% of American adults suffer from allergies.

One thing we all know is no two allergies are the same. That’s because there are different types of allergies. From seasonal to food allergies, here’s a breakdown of the most common allergies and how to prevent them.

Food Allergy

We get food allergies when our immune system triggers an abnormal response to certain types of food. These responses can range from swelling to hives. Some of the most common food allergies include milk and dairy products, peanuts, wheat, fish, soy, and even sulfites.

Keep in mind, people tend to confuse “allergy” and “intolerance.” With food intolerance, there’s a problem digesting the food. Lactose intolerance is the best example. 65% of the human population are unable to digest lactose, resulting in harmless yet embarrassing side effects such as gas.

Respiratory Allergies

If you have respiratory allergies, your immune system triggers a response when you breathe in certain particles. Seasonal allergies are the most common types of respiratory allergies.

For example, over 50 million in the United States have a pollen allergy. Pollen is most abundant in the spring and summer. When you breathe in pollen, your immune system recognizes the pollen as a dangerous substance, causing flu-like reactions.

Pollen and other season-specific allergies aren’t the only ones in this category. Dust, mold, and even fur from household pets can cause an allergic reaction.

Skin Allergies

Most of the allergy symptoms we face are on the skin, such as hives and rashes. But skin-specific allergies are one of the most common allergy types. When certain particles make contact with our skin, our skin will react negatively.

Contact Dermatitis is a common skin allergy. When a certain particle touches your skin, your immune system responds by sending allergens to the source, which usually results in a scalp rash.

Other common skin allergies include insect bites and stings, plants such as Poison Ivy or Oak, cosmetic and skincare allergies, metal and nickel allergies, and even an allergy to UV rays.

How to Treat and Prevent Allergies

If you know you have allergies, the best course of action is to avoid whatever is causing a reaction. But that isn’t always an option, especially if the food or product you use unknowingly contains the source of your allergies.

There are many medications available for food and respiratory allergies. For respiratory allergies, users may want to consider nasal sprays as well as oral medication. There are many ointments available for skin allergies.

New allergy treatment methods are always emerging. Visit a website like https://www.healthandallergyrelief.com/naet.html for more information.

Treat the Different Types of Allergies

There are many types of allergies in humans and they’re always a burden. When you can identify your allergy, you’ll be able to prevent and treat it.

Continue reading our website for more health advice.

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