Severeallergies.net

Severe Allergies

Severe allergies are what happens when a person’s body recognizes a foreign substance as an attack on the body. This can be any number of things such as pollen, medicines, or even food. When the substance is identified as a potential threat, the body releases extra IgE antibodies to take care of the problem. In turn, these antibodies stimulate mast cells to release certain enzymes and chemicals into the bloodstream. The primary chemical released is histamine and it can affect the throat, lungs, eyes, skin, or gastrointestinal tract. A severe food allergy can be developed to any number of products, but is most common with milk, eggs, soy, tree nuts, shellfish, peanuts, wheat, or fish. Although many people grow out of these severe food allergies, for some it remains a lifelong battle.

It is unknown why some people suffer from allergies and others have no problems at all, but it can be because of inherited disorders such as Crohn’s disease. The difference between regular allergies and severe allergies is that with the severe variety, food does not even have to be ingested. If a person only touches the food or breathes in particles, a severe food allergy can occur. The action of the histamine on the body can produce mild to severe allergy symptoms. The mild reactions are generally limited to the following areas: skin (hives, facial swelling, eczema), gastrointestinal system (cramps, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea), respiratory system (asthma, watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose), and cardiovascular system (faintness, feeling lightheaded). Symptoms that may require medical intervention are difficulty breathing, lowered blood pressure, and fainting. These symptoms usually occur when two systems of the body are attacked, commonly known as anaphylaxis. In some cases,severe food allergies can even cause death.

If a person feels like they may have an allergy to a particular food, the best course of action is to consult a local doctor to have some tests run. The physician will first search for other conditions that may be the cause of reactions instead of allergies. An allergist will then perform a skin test. The skin test is done by pricking sections of the skin and adding a liquid extract of common foods that cause allergic reactions. In addition, regular blood tests may be done to detect abnormalities.

Although there is no known cure for allergies, many medications and treatment options exist to provide relief to sufferers. Antihistamines have been proven effective in treating many severe allergy symptoms. Also, persons who are prone to allergy-induced asthma issues should always carry a bronchodilator in case of attacks. If a doctor has prescribed epinephrine, then this medication should also be carried at all times. In certain cases, the administration of epinephrine can be the difference between life and death. Of course, the best way to avoid reactions is always to avoid the foods that trigger them. Having severe allergies can be very difficult, but a person that learns how to recognize and deal with them can easily lead an otherwise normal life.

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