What Are The Most Common Allergy Symptoms and How to Fight Them

Are your eyes watery? Is your throat itching? Is your nose constantly running and you are sneezing?....& you feel .....your world is messed up.... These are most likely symptoms of an allergy attack. In fact, these are the most common allergy symptoms.

           Allergy 

What is an allergy?

An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to exposure to certain foreign substances. It is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in nonallergic people. 

In allergic individuals, allergy symptoms are triggered by an overly sensitive immune system response. When you inhale tiny, airborne mold spores, your body recognizes them as foreign invaders and develops allergy-causing antibodies to fight them.  

After the exposure has passed, you still produce antibodies that "remember" this invader, so that any later contact with the mold causes your immune system to react. This reaction triggers the release of substances such as histamine, which cause itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and other mold allergy symptoms. 

Additional allergy symptoms include skin rashes, swollen lymph nodes, and a plethora of other uncomfortable conditions indicating that you are allergic to something in your environment. It could be seasonal allergies, food allergies, or just dust allergies. Either way, you should speak to your Doctor about undergoing medical testing if these symptoms persist. Either you are suffering from allergy symptoms, or you are merely sensitive to certain irritants in your home like smoke or may be cleaning chemicals etc.

For most of the peoples, allergies are seasonal and mild, requiring nothing more than getting extra tissue or taking a decongestant occasionally. For a few others, the allergy is to a known food, and as long as they avoid the food, no problem. 

But for legions of others adults, allergies are so severe it interferes with their quality of life. The allergens -- whatever it is that sets off the symptoms -- may affect them more severely than others and may be harder to avoid. Defining "severe" allergies, and pinpointing how many people are affected, is difficult even for allergists. 

The prevalence of allergic conditions has increased significantly over the last two decades and continues to rise. Approximately 10% to 30% of individuals in the industrialized world are affected by allergic conditions, more than 50 million people in the United States alone and this number is increasing. -- the poor souls who sniffle, sneeze, and get all clogged up when they face there nemesis the allergen (or allergens) that set them off. 

Allergy-producing substances are called "allergens." Examples of allergens include pollens, dust mites, molds, animal proteins, foods, even medications and better home insulation is also to be blamed although it keeps you safe from nasty weather like rain or snow and helps to maintain a stable environment friendly temperature & humidity but it also keeps air trapped within your house, thereby making it easier for allergic contaminants to bother you.

No matter what the reason, you need to get medical information if you believe that you are suffering from the symptoms of allergy. Once confirmed, follow the below steps to either control or entirely eliminate your allergic reactions:

1. Most people suffer allergy symptoms because of pets. Pets can be your best friends but, if you have allergies or asthma, they can also be your worst enemy. Pets shed dander, a combination of dead skin cells and hair (or feathers), which can trigger allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to the allergens. If you are suffering allergic reactions because of pet hair (dog allergy or cat allergy are the most common), then start by not allowing your pet(s) to sleep on your bed, or even in your bedroom. Next, make certain you bath your pet often, and vacuum your home at least twice a week.

2. Many individuals also suffer from symptoms of allergy due to dust mites. Start by wrapping your pillows and mattress with a plastic cover. This will kill the tiny creatures inhabiting these areas. If this will be too uncomfortable (having plastic over your bed and what not), then at least wash your sleeping items in very hot water with lots of detergent. or you can use pillow and mattress covers made from a tight-weave fabric that keeps out dust and mites. Avoid carpet, upholstered furniture, and heavy drapes that collect dust. Avoid furniture covered with fabrics. Also vacuum all your furniture and carpet at least once per week.

3. A lot of people are unaware that they are having allergy symptoms because of food. The most common food allergies are from eggs, chocolate, and nuts. If you are able to identify the food giving you allergy symptoms, then try to find alternative substitutes. Instead of chocolate, for instance, choose potato chips.

4. If you are one of many who suffer an allergic reaction to bad water, then try staying indoors as much as possible during rainy/windy days. If you must venture outside, then take antihistamines to reduce your allergy symptoms.

5. If you want to entirely eradicate an allergy symptom, you can seek out 'sensitization injections'. Although they take years to work, these injections will gradually reduce your symptoms to allergy until they are no more. Unfortunately, they are expensive and very time-consuming. You will have to come in for an injection almost every single month for three to five years.

In fact almost everybody suffers from allergic reactions to some substance in the air and environment. First you need to identify the allergic contaminant. Then, you must either remove it or decrease it.