- Food allergies: While any food can cause an allergic reaction, there are some foods that affect a larger number of people and are most commonly associated with food allergies. In children, the most common food allergens include milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts and fish. In adults it is more common to see shellfish, fish, some stone fruits including cherries, apricots or peaches, seeds and nuts/peanuts. Food allergies can be extremely serious in many children and adults. In some cases, such as severe peanut allergies, the allergic person can react after simply being touched by someone with the oil from the peanuts on their hands. Anaphylactic shock is a real concern for serious food allergies. Constriction of the airways and a loss of ability to breathe can become a medical emergency very quickly for people suffering from food allergies.
- Bee stings or other insect stings: While many insects can bite and cause mild to moderate reactions in most people, bees can be public number one for people who have an adverse reaction to a sting. The venom in bee stings can cause an allergic person to go into anaphylactic shock, which can result in death if let untreated. Severe swelling of the affected area of the body can be extreme and very painful. Anyone who has experienced a reaction to a bee sting should consult a physician for guidance on what to do if stung in the future. It isn’t uncommon for people to carry medications such as an Epipen with them to prevent severe and deadly reactions.
- Medications: Some people have allergies to the very medicines prescribed to help them with illnesses. While reactions can be mild to moderate, such as hives, rashes or dizziness, the potential for an allergic reaction to a medication to be severe is significant, especially if exposed to the cause again after the first time. Some patients will take a medicine and have a very mild reaction. However, if that same person takes the same medication again several days later it can cause a much more serious response. Once you know you are allergic to a specific medication, you should make sure that all of your medical records correctly reflect the information to avoid future prescriptions to the same or similar drugs.
- Plants and pollens: An extremely common seasonal allergy is plant or pollen based sensitivity. You will hear many people complaining about their allergies whenever the seasons are changing or in some cases, all year round. Ragweed is a common culprit in many areas and other weeds, flowers and plants produce unpleasant cold-like symptoms that can become very severe for some sufferers. People with asthma can experience more frequent or severe attacks when affected by these types of allergies and the results can be serious and even deadly. Severe allergies can cause sinus or upper respiratory infections, lead to cases of bronchitis or even pneumonia.
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The Most Common -- and Most Severe – Allergies
May 03, 2024
The Most Common -- and Most Severe – Allergies
