Allergies occur when a person comes into contact with a substance called an allergen. Allergens can be many different things including mold, weeds, foods, insect venom and anything that can cause an adverse reaction in the allergic individual. When an allergic person comes into contact with an allergen through the nose, eyes, skin, respiratory tract or gastrointestinal tract, she can experience a multitude of unpleasant, painful or even life-threatening symptoms as a result. Most such reactions are quick to appear after contact with the allergen.
While there are many types of allergies and many of them are quite mild, there are some that are more serious and some that are more commonly seen. Some allergies affect a small area of the body while others affect the entire body. Anaphylactic shock is the most severe kind of allergic reaction and can be very serious and life-threatening. Hospitalization or immediate medical attention is often required in cases of anaphylactic shock.
In many cases, an initial reaction to an allergen can cause only a slight reaction while repeat exposures can increase in severity. Understanding what to look for and how to identify allergic reactions can help you recognize when you or someone else may be experiencing such a reaction.
Common Types of Allergies
The list of possible allergens runs the gamut. However, there are some common elements that are more likely to elicit an allergic reaction in people. Below are some of the more common and severe types of allergies.