Allergy symptoms from general to severe & bull; hello healthy

An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system overreacts to foreign substances that enter the body. Since the causes and severity vary, allergy symptoms can vary from person to person. Some have only a runny and itchy nose, there are also patients with severe reactions that can be life-threatening.

All of these symptoms are caused by the release of a compound called histamine. This substance affects the skin, respiratory system, and other systems that are sensitive to certain allergens (allergens). This is why allergic reactions often appear in more than one area of the body.

The most common allergy symptom

When you experience an allergic reaction, the symptoms that appear are influenced by many factors. The most determining factors include the type of allergy, how badly the body reacts to the trigger, and whether the body is prepared to face the allergen.

During childhood, the most common allergic reactions are atopic dermatitis (eczema) or a food allergy symptom. With age, these symptoms can develop into asthma or rhinitis (runny nose and congestion due to inflammation).

Eczema then begins to decrease in adolescence, as well as symptoms of food allergies. However, asthma and rhinitis can continue into adulthood or even for life. The severity usually varies from person to person.

Once you are an adult, an allergy may resemble other types of allergies, making it difficult to distinguish. You may need to undergo an allergy test to really determine what type of allergy you have.

In general, here are the signs of an allergy based on the type.

1.Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammation of the skin that appears as an allergic reaction. This condition usually affects the skin of the face, neck, arms and legs. In some people, atopic dermatitis can also affect the armpits and groin area.

Atopic dermatitis symptoms vary from person to person, but generally consist of:

Dry, thickened, cracked, or scaly skin.
Sensitive and swollen skin from frequent scratching.
Itching that gets worse at night.
Small lumps filled with fluid appear and become scabs when scratched.
Brown-gray patches appear, especially on the hands, feet, neck, chest, and skin folds.

These symptoms usually start to appear around the age of five and will subside over time. In some allergy sufferers, eczema can be chronic and may recur occasionally.

You can relieve the symptoms of eczema with over-the-counter or prescription drugs. If the eczema gets worse, causes skin infections, or is having an impact on your daily life, consult a doctor immediately.

The skin is the body's first protection against bacteria, allergens, and irritants. Eczema that is not treated properly can cause skin damage and reduce its ability to protect the body.

If left untreated, eczema can have long-term effects such as:

Infections of the skin due to frequent scratching. Scratching will damage the layers of the skin and cause a wound, which is why viruses and bacteria enter.
Neurodermatitis, which is the habit of unconscious scratching which actually makes the skin itch more. As a result, the skin may darken and thicken.
Dermatitis due to skin irritation in people who have to use harsh soaps, detergents, or disinfectants frequently.

Atopic dermatitis symptoms can get worse with use skin care, body wash, laundry soap, and other products that are not suitable for your skin. Taking too long bathing and scrubbing the body harshly also worsens the symptoms.

Additionally, certain foods and drinks including eggs, milk, and soy have the potential to make eczema worse. If you experience these symptoms after using or consuming certain products, stop using them immediately.

2. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a reaction on the skin as a result of direct contact with an allergen or irritant. This condition can affect any area of the body with varying degrees of severity, depending on the substance that triggers it.

Contact dermatitis is divided into two types, namely allergic and non-allergic contact dermatitis. Nonallergic dermatitis is the most common. This condition is caused by irritants that damage the protective layer of the skin.

Meanwhile, allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into contact with substances that trigger an excessive immune reaction. In some cases, this condition can also be caused by food, medication, or medical procedures such as surgery and dental work.

Symptoms of contact dermatitis appear on areas of the body that are in direct contact with the trigger. For example, those of you who are allergic to metal may feel symptoms on your wrist after wearing a metal watch.

If the cause is an irritant, the symptoms are most likely:

Open sores or fluid-filled blisters appear.
A wound appears that becomes sores when scratched.
Swollen skin.
The skin feels stiff or tight.
Cracked skin due to severe lack of fluids.

Contact dermatitis due to exposure to allergens causes similar symptoms, but there are other characteristics such as:

Itching or redness of the skin.
Skin feels burning.
The skin appears darker or thickened.
Dry, scaly, or peeling skin.
Fluid-filled blisters appear.
Become more sensitive to sunlight.
Swelling, especially of the eyes, face and groin area.

These symptoms usually appear within minutes to hours after being exposed to the allergen. The rash, itching, and redness of the skin can last 2-4 weeks depending on the severity.

You should consult your doctor if your symptoms start to interfere with your life or get worse. Consultation is also recommended if symptoms get worse, do not improve after three weeks, or appear on the face and intimate areas.

3. Respiratory disorders

Allergic rhinitis is a group of symptoms that affect the respiratory system. This condition is also known as hay fever and is one of the most common types of allergies. In some people, the symptoms can get worse during certain seasons.

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are sometimes mistaken for a cold because they are so similar. You may experience symptoms such as:

sneeze,
watery, itchy, red eyes
a runny or stuffy nose due to a build-up of mucus,
itchy nose, roof of mouth, or throat,
the skin under the eyes appears swollen, as well
sluggish body.

Some allergy sufferers also feel mucus running down the back of their throat. Watery mucus may not cause any harm, but thickened mucus can get stuck in your throat and cause a cough.

If allowed to continue, allergic reactions in the respiratory tract can make the sinuses swell, inflamed, and full of mucus. The sinuses are the cavities in the skull that connect the bones in the skull and the nasal cavity.

The swollen sinuses will press on the inside of the head and trigger new symptoms in the form of a headache. Sneezing, itching, and sinus headaches can gradually disrupt sleep and daily activities.

This is a sign that you need to consult a doctor. You should also get checked out if your symptoms get worse, persist for weeks, or don't go away after taking the medicine.

There are various kinds of drugs to relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis, both in the form of drinking tablets and nasal sprays (nasal spray). If these medicines do not work, discuss with your doctor to find a solution.

4. Digestive system disorders

Allergic reactions can cause disturbances in the digestive system. This collection of symptoms usually appears within a few minutes of consuming foods that cause allergies, but not a few experience it after a few hours.

People with food allergies sometimes experience not only digestive problems, but also symptoms in the respiratory system or skin. In rare cases, an allergic reaction can be severe and lead to a dangerous condition called anaphylactic shock.

In addition, food allergies are often misidentified as food intolerance or poisoning. This is why if you are worried that you have a similar condition, monitor any symptoms you experience and note what triggers them.

Food allergies can cause mild to severe disturbances. Even though you are currently experiencing only mild disorders, the symptoms can get worse if you continue to eat allergy-triggering foods or drinks.

As much as possible, try to avoid foods or drinks that you suspect are allergens. Look for safer alternative foodstuffs to reduce the risk of allergic complications in the future.

Like other types of allergies, food allergies can also be treated with medication. You need to carry this medicine with you if you have a food allergy. However, contact your doctor immediately if the allergic reaction does not decrease after taking the drug or if:

The nose, tongue, or throat is so swollen that it is difficult for you to breathe.
Blood pressure drops suddenly.
Heart rate increases dramatically.
Lightheaded or passed out.

Severe allergy symptoms that need to be aware of

In rare cases, allergies can cause a dangerous reaction called anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis can occur within seconds or minutes after you develop an allergic trigger. If left unchecked, this condition will endanger lives.

Anaphylactic shock affects multiple body systems simultaneously, so symptoms can vary widely. The most common symptoms include:

Swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat.
Severe shortness of breath.
Drastic drop in blood pressure.
Heart palpitations, but with a weak beat.
Reddish rash on the skin.
Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Nausea and vomiting.

Anaphylaxis is an emergency condition that must be treated immediately. The reason is, swelling of the throat can cause stopping breathing which is fatal. A sudden drop in blood pressure is also dangerous for vital organs.

Therefore, allergy sufferers who are prone to anaphylaxis usually carry epinephrine injections. Epinephrine works by preventing inflammation of the airways so that you can breathe normally.

However, you still have to be alert to monitor any symptoms even after injecting epinephrine. Immediately visit the nearest hospital to get further tests and anticipate the symptoms that may come back.

An uncommon allergy symptom

Everyone's body deals with allergies in different ways. Depending on your health condition, you may also show symptoms that other sufferers may not experience.

Although not common, allergies can also cause the following conditions.

1. Often feel tired

The body releases histamine compounds when exposed to allergens. Histamine not only causes allergic reactions, it also makes you tired faster. In addition, your energy can also be drained when you experience inflammation due to allergies.

2. Lack of sleep

Allergy triggers do not directly cause sleep deprivation. It is the persistent symptoms that prevent you from sleeping well. This condition is usually experienced by allergy sufferers who often feel itching or nasal congestion.

3. Decreased appetite

The discomfort in the throat due to the build-up of mucus can reduce some people's appetite. When ingested, the stomach also can't get rid of this mucus and it interferes with your appetite.

4. Constantly coughing or clearing your throat

If you have a lot of mucus in your throat, this condition may make you cough or clear your throat more often. This is the body's normal response to secrete annoying mucus and can gradually become a habit.

5. Suddenly another allergy appears

At first, you may not be allergic to perfume, acids, pollutants, or most fruits. However, during allergy season, your body experiences inflammation due to the allergens around you. This condition puts you at risk for other allergies.

Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system when the body is exposed to allergens. Such an immune system response is actually useful against germs or certain substances that can cause damage in the body.

However, allergic reactions are very disturbing and dangerous for some sufferers. If you have severe allergies or cannot be treated with common medicines, try to consult a doctor for a solution.