Allergies are nothing to sneeze at. They can be downright debilitating. Ask anyone who battles with congestion, itchy eyes and headaches, and they’ll tell you attest to the chronic discomfort caused by unruly allergies.

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.

• 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.

Sign of an Allergic Reaction

The symptoms of an allergic reaction vary from person to person and case to case. The range of reactions is varied as well. Symptoms for a mild reaction can be of the same type but less intense than those of a moderate or severe reaction. It is good to know what signs to look for in yourself or someone else if you suspect an allergic reaction is occurring.

• Mild reactions: Most mild allergic reactions will resolve themselves without medical intervention and can symptoms can be relieved with home remedies and self-care. Some typical signs of a mild allergic reaction include itching, red and watery eyes, stuffy nose, rashes or hives.
• Moderate reactions: In many moderate reactions the affected individual may experience abdominal pain, coughing spells, dizziness, gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea or nausea, swelling, redness of the face or heart palpitations.
• Severe reactions: Severe allergic reactions can be serious and life threatening. Swelling of the tongue or eyes can occur, the person may be unable to breathe or swallow, chest tightness or wheezing may be present, vomiting may occur and the person may lose consciousness.

Many allergies can be controlled or prevented once you are aware of their existence. If you have experienced what you believe are signs of an allergic reaction, you should discuss your symptoms with your physician so you can create a plan for preventing another potentially dangerous situation or plan for medical intervention if it happens again.

If you suspect you or someone else is experiencing moderate to severe allergic reaction symptoms, seek medical help as soon as possible. If the person loses consciousness or can’t breathe, call 911 and ask for emergency medical personnel to come and help you.