Imagine listening to your favorite playlist when a song you can’t stand suddenly starts playing. You immediately hit skip because it doesn’t belong there.
Our immune system can make a similar mistake.
Instead of ignoring something harmless, it treats it like a dangerous threat. Pollen, dust, pet dander, certain foods, or even medicine can trigger an unnecessary alarm. Our body may respond with sneezing, itchy eyes, skin rashes, hives, swelling, or, in severe cases, difficulty breathing.
The surprising part is that allergies are not a sign that we’re unhealthy. We can eat nutritious food, stay active, exercise regularly, and still develop an allergy. Our immune system isn’t weak. It simply overreacts to something most people tolerate without any problem.
Why do some people have allergies while others don’t?
Scientists are still trying to fully understand why. However, these factors are known to increase the risk:
• Genetics. If one or both parents have allergies, our chances of developing them are higher, although it’s never guaranteed.
• Environment. Exposure to pollen, dust, smoke, pollution, and other allergens may influence whether allergies develop.
• Immune system differences. Every immune system is unique. Some are simply more sensitive than others.
• Timing and exposure. Some people can eat the same food for years before suddenly developing an allergy later in life.
Could it be an allergy?
Watch for these clues:
• Symptoms begin soon after exposure, such as eating a certain food, taking a medicine, touching a plant, or being around a pet.
• The same trigger causes similar symptoms repeatedly.
Common symptoms:
• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
• Hives (raised, itchy welts)
• Skin rash or itching
• Swelling of the lips, face, or eyelids
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
For example, we eat shrimp and within 30 minutes develop hives and swollen lips. If the same reaction happens again after eating shrimp, that’s a strong clue of a shrimp allergy.
The only way to confirm an allergy is through a healthcare professional, who may recommend an allergy history, a skin prick test, or a blood test.
What commonly triggers allergies?
Some allergy triggers are more common than others, including:
Foods
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts, such as almonds, cashews, and walnuts
• Shellfish, such as shrimp, crab, and lobster
• Fish
• Eggs
• Milk
• Soy
• Wheat
Airborne allergens
• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Mold spores
• Pet dander
Medicines
• Penicillin and other antibiotics
• Aspirin and ibuprofen
Insect stings
• Bees
• Wasps
• Hornets
• Fire ants
Other common triggers
• Latex
• Nickel
Pollen is the most common trigger of environmental allergies worldwide. For food allergies, peanuts and shellfish are among the leading causes of severe allergic reactions.
Can we prevent allergies?
Unfortunately, there is still no foolproof way to prevent allergies. However, once we know our triggers, we can avoid them, manage our symptoms, and lower the risk of serious reactions.
Most allergic reactions are mild. However, some can become life threatening. If we experience swelling of the throat, severe difficulty breathing, or fainting after exposure to a possible allergen, we should seek emergency medical care immediately.
We can’t guarantee a life without allergies. But by learning our triggers and preparing for them, we can keep living life without missing a beat.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ