To help you get on top of your allergies, we’ve put together an in-depth guide which answers common allergy questions, including:
- What is an allergy?
- Allergic reaction symptoms
- Allergies and the immune system
- Children and allergies
- Are allergies dangerous?
- Allergic reactions: triggers, treatments and prevention
- Antihistamines for allergic reactions
What is an allergy?
An allergy is when your immune system has a hypersensitive reaction to normally harmless substances such as pollen , dust, mould , or animal dander. These substances are called allergens and they can be hard to avoid.
Some allergens are airborne (such as pollen and dust) meaning they can be breathed in through your airways. Some substances will trigger an allergic reaction if they make contact with your skin or are ingested in some way (such as latex or food allergies).
Allergies are not contagious, and you can develop them at any point in your life – even if you’re an adult who has never suffered from allergies before! You may be more likely to develop an allergy if you have a family history of them. If you have a pre-existing condition like asthma or eczema, this may be triggered by your allergies.
Allergic reaction symptoms
Allergic reactions can vary from person to person. Some common allergy symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Respiratory problems like wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness
- Coughing
- Red eyes
- Urticaria ( hives ) or a rash
- Dermatitis
- A runny nose
- Itchy face, eyes, nose and mouth
- Vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea
- Swelling
- A rash
- Allergic rhinitis
Allergies and the immune system
The role of your immune system is to react when foreign substances such as bacteria and proteins enter the body. In people with allergies, the immune system overreacts to allergens, causing the cells of your immune system to activate. The cells may then release antibodies like histamine to try and remove the allergens from your body.
Histamine binds to receptors on cells in your blood vessels, causing them to enlarge. This includes cells in your nasal tissues, causing redness, swelling, itching and secretion changes in an attempt to remove the allergens from your body. This is what causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Children and allergies
Up to 40% of children in the UK have been diagnosed with an allergy of some sort. 10-15% of children in the UK suffer from hayfever, and around 1 in 12 suffer from a food allergy.
Allergy symptoms in children can be hard for both child and parents, especially when it comes to managing them or avoiding certain allergens. Learn more about managing children’s allergies on our blog, or download our annual allergy guide for families to take control of allergy and hay fever symptoms.
Are allergies dangerous?
Allergic reactions can vary in severity from person to person, and often you may find yourself suffering from only very mild symptoms such as itching, sneezing or wheezing. This can depend on your sensitivity to certain allergens.
Some people's allergies can trigger anaphylaxis shock, which is a severe allergic reaction that requires emergency medical attention. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include the swelling of the tongue, throat and lips, difficulty breathing, a wheeze, dizziness and collapse.
If you suspect that you are having an anaphylaxis reaction, you should use your epinephrine /adrenaline pen (also called an autoinjector) if you carry one, then call 999.
Allergic reactions: triggers, treatments and prevention
Some of the most common allergens that can trigger an allergic reaction are:
- Pollen from weed, trees and grass ( hayfever )
- Pet dander (dead flakes of skin from your pet)
- Pet proteins (for example from your pet’s saliva or urine)
- Dust
- Mould
- Latex (for example latex gloves or balloons)
- Certain kinds of food (common examples are nuts, eggs, milk and shellfish)
- Insect bites/stings (such as bee stings)
- Dust mites
- Certain drugs or medicines (for example some antibiotics)
Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for allergies, but you can manage your symptoms or take proactive steps to minimise them through prevention. The best way to minimise allergic reactions is to avoid the allergens that trigger them – but this can be easier said than done.
If you’re suffering from some of the symptoms listed above but aren’t sure what’s causing them, try keeping a diary to track when and where reactions occur. This may help to give you a better idea of what to avoid.
There are several ways you can treat and manage allergic reactions if prevention fails, such as:
- Taking antihistamines (for example, Clarityn)
- Using lotions and creams like emollients to relieve itching
- Using decongestants to relieve a blocked nose
- Nasal steroid sprays like Clarinaze Allergy Control Nasal Spray, which provides prescription-strength relief from nasal congestion, sneezing and itchy or runny nose.
You should only use one product to treat nasal symptoms - for example, either a decongestant or a steroid - and you should not use both at the same time.
Antihistamines for allergic reactions
Antihistamines are medications that work by blocking the action of the histamines that cause the allergic response. They are readily available in pharmacies and supermarkets, and you don’t need a prescription from your doctor to buy them.
Clarityn Allergy Tablets contain the active ingredient loratadine, a second-generation antihistamine that is non-drowsy in 98.8% of users. Clarityn provides prescription strength, 24-hour relief from allergy symptoms caused by over 150 airborne allergens, including pollen, pet dander, mould and dust. For children aged 2+, why not try Clarityn Allergy Syrup, which provides 24-hour relief from allergy symptoms to let kids be kids all day long.
