Types Of Allergies

As allergies can spring from various sources, it is difficult to come up with a single treatment plan that covers every type of allergy. However, what you can do is to have a combination of treatment ideas for a plan to address your various allergy attacks. The different types of allergies include:

- Respiratory allergies. Most people think of allergies as respiratory allergies. These can be triggered and caused by many different allergens, including dust, mold, mildew, pollen, and more. The most common symptoms of a respiratory allergy are sneezing, coughing, runny nose, dry and itchy throat, and watery eyes. Seasonal respiratory allergies can also exist due to changes in pollen count and weather.

- Asthma. Allergy-induced asthma cases are on the rise not just in the United States but around the world. The sources for this are much the same as respiratory allergies, but the allergic response causes the air passages to become inflamed, which can cause wheezing and difficulty in breathing.

- Skin allergies. This type of allergy can be triggered by many different sources. The sources include foods, stress, drugs, pollen, and insect stings. The allergic reaction shows up on your skin with hives, redness, a rash, swellings, or itchiness. Skin allergies can be quite difficult to get rid of. Some people are lucky enough to only have skin allergies in the first few years of their life, while others have them for almost their entire lives.

- Food allergies. These allergens come from food. Most people react to a common list of foods. They include shellfish, cows milk, soy, peanuts, wheat, and berries. You can get minor symptoms of intolerance such as diarrhea and bloating, or an allergic reaction as severe as death.

- Drug allergies. The most common drug allergies include allergies to penicillin, codeine, and sulfa drugs. Allergy symptoms include hives, digestive problems, or a rash. In the most severe of drug allergies, anaphylaxis shock can occur and this can be fatal. That is why it is so important that you report if you have any drug allergies to your physician and your pharmacist at the start of a medical appointment.

- Insect sting allergies. This type of allergy occurs when an insect such as a bee, fire ant, wasp, hornet, or yellow jacket stings you and releases the poison into your body. Insect sting allergies can cause pain, itching and swelling at the site of the insect sting instantly. In the most severe cases, an anaphylaxis reaction can also develop. Medical attention would be required immediately.

It is recommended that you maintain a record of your observations as to the allergy symptoms you have. Then, consult a doctor and go for proper allergy tests. Getting the right diagnosis can help you determine what you can do to address the different types of allergies.