Recently, people have increasingly begun to experience increased sensitivity to certain stimuli. Moreover, signs of allergies in adults are found in contact with both synthetic substances and completely ordinary products and materials. This condition causes a lot of inconvenience, but to solve this problem is still possible.
How to distinguish allergies from other diseases
The first signs of an allergy are often similar to the symptoms of various diseases. However, in order not to confuse them, it is necessary to conduct a small independent study. Firstly, it is important to remember whether similar symptoms occurred when exposed to a specific irritant, when staying in similar conditions or eating certain foods. For greater certainty, you can take a remedy for allergies. If there is a disappearance of symptoms, then this may already indicate the presence of an increased sensitivity of the body. But a more complete picture can be obtained by contacting a specialist for help. It is he who can conduct tests, the result of which will indicate the presence of an allergy or its absence.
The main symptoms of hypersensitivity
Signs of an allergy in adults can be either local or general. The first category includes rhinitis (clear discharge from the nose, its swelling, redness), conjunctivitis (eyes begin to itch, tears flow, swelling of the organs of vision is possible). Respiratory organs often suffer, shortness of breath appears. In some patients, allergic otitis media occurs. You can also observe the manifestation of allergies on the face: the skin is covered with spots, rashes, itching. Well, labored breathing, itching, swelling are considered common signs. If all the symptoms are pronounced, then we can talk about anaphylactic shock.
Why allergies are becoming more common
First of all, you need to understand the mechanism of development of an allergic reaction. When a foreign protein enters our body, the immune system fights against an unexpected guest. At the same time, data on the type and structure of the allergen are stored in her memory. Re-penetration of a substance causes a violent reaction, which is characterized by its hyperactivity. As a result of this, signs of allergy in adults are manifested. Experts do not name the specific cause of the occurrence, but they identify a number of factors that can lead to the development of the disease. First of all, these are the chemicals around us. We meet her everywhere: in food, in the air, in everyday life. The total use of synthetic products for washing, cleaning does not leave not only harmful, but also beneficial microorganisms.
In addition, the whole environment is saturated with fragrances, dyes and other potential allergens. Antibiotics, which are widely used in breeding chickens, pigs, only exacerbate the situation. Another point that scientists highlight is the state of stress.
What types of allergies exist
Depending on what caused the hypersensitivity of the body, the following types of disease are distinguished. One of the most common is food allergies. Seasonal or the so-called spring allergy is also common. Flowering of various plants, their pollen can cause many problems for people with increased susceptibility.
Another subspecies is the body's reaction to the cold (or, conversely, to the sun's rays). Atopic dermatitis is manifested by constant rashes on the skin, itching. Do not forget about drug allergies. Knowing which drugs are capable of provoking a body reaction can simply save a life. The danger of allergies is that Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock can develop. In the first case, laryngeal edema can cause choking. In the second, there is a slowdown in breathing, pressure drops. If these signs of allergy in adults are recorded, then in such situations emergency assistance is needed.
Food allergy
Since we eat food every day, the development of sensitivity to certain foods can significantly affect the quality of life. Almost every product can become an allergen. But there is a list of the most common food allergens. These include chicken eggs, chocolate, tomatoes, citrus fruits. Also, people prone to this disease should be careful with honey, milk, strawberries, nuts. Allergic reactions can cause seafood. Wheat, cereals are also potentially unsafe products. The signs of a food allergy are as follows: nausea, disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, all kinds of skin reactions, headache, including migraine, inflammatory processes in the colon, gastric mucosa.
The treatment of food allergies is one thing - this is an exception to the diet of a certain product. However, you can find alternatives. If you are allergic to chicken egg protein, then eating a yolk is quite safe. With prolonged boiling of milk (25 minutes or more), harmful allergens are destroyed.
Seasonal allergy
If the approach to the treatment of food sensitivity is clear and relatively simple, then with a seasonal allergy, this is different. During the period of active flowering of certain plants, the well-being of allergy sufferers sharply worsens. Spring allergy is manifested by a stuffy nose, conjunctivitis, sneezing and other similar symptoms. The main problem is that it is simply impossible to lock yourself in the house and sit there for several weeks. Therefore, to relieve the condition, specialists prescribe special drugs. In addition, during the period of active distribution of pollen, it is important to adhere to certain rules: picnics and long walks in nature should be postponed until later, after coming from the yard, you need to wash and change clothes. Doctors recommend washing clothes as often as possible, because many allergens settle on them. Wet cleaning should be done daily.
Allergic reactions to drugs
Sensitivity to the components of certain drugs is a fairly common allergy. Itching, characteristic signs on the skin, rhinitis, shortness of breath, fever - this is an incomplete list of symptoms of this disease. In this case, the medicine does not have the desired effect, and its administration even in micro doses can cause serious consequences. To prevent this condition, all allergic reactions should be noted on the first page of medical records. It is extremely dangerous if you are allergic to medications yourself to prescribe any treatment for yourself, since a reaction can also occur to components of other medicines and tablets that are similar in structure.