Allergy affects the lives of millions of people daily considering it is simply triggered by common dust, dander, pollens, and other airborne particles. Food can also cause severe allergy in some people as caused by fish, peanut and other types of seafood. Typically, allergies are easy to overcome by taking over-the-counter drugs such as anti-histamines. However, anti-histamines act as a relief for mild to moderate allergy symptoms. Severe allergy usually calls for medical attention since a life-threatening situation known as anaphylaxis can happen.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening since its manifestation include constriction of air passageways which makes it very difficult to breathe. Also, blood pressure suddenly drops since anaphylaxis shocks the body’s system but it can also cause fatal damage to other parts of the body. Allergic reactions such as swelling, eczema, itching, vomiting and shortness of breath seem to be ordinary at first. Later on, the body reacts with violent spasms when the person cannot breathe anymore. The only rapid and possible treatment when the body goes into anaphylactic shock is a shot of epinephrine. However, this can mean urgent medical attention since a doctor or health professional would only be the only one to properly administer this treatment. Remarkably, severe allergy reactions happens because the body’s dysfunctional immune system overreacts to itself.
Severe allergy can happen even if people are just exposed to traces of allergens. Limited exposure to allergens can also lead to anaphylaxis such as :
• Over-the-counter drugs and prescribed medications
• Insect stings caused by bees, ants, wasps
• Food and certain by products ( shellfish, nuts, soy,dairy)
• Blood from transfusion• Rubber ( latex)
Aside from the given list, there are still many types of allergens that can possibly cause severe allergy depending on the body’s immune system. Some precautions must be taken by people with severe allergy such as carefully choosing food to eat especially when dining out since some restaurants may contain ingredients like peanut which can trigger allergy. A slight exposure to pollen during changing of seasons can also trigger severe allergy so vacuuming and housecleaning is a way of prevention. In truth, severe allergy can be controlled by people too. People with severe allergy just need to be extra careful in many things.