Are allergies harmful?

If you are one of those who sneeze, cough or itch for no good reason at all, congratulations! You have allergies. It’s like your body has finally found a new way to rebel against itself. But then the question comes up: are allergies harmful? Can they kill us or something? In the next 2000 words, we will explore everything about allergies and answer this question once and pollen!

What Exactly Are Allergies?

Allergies occur when our immune system mistakes a harmless substance such as food particles, dust mites or pollen as an attacker called allergen (cue superhero music). As soon as your immune system detects it (yikes!), it sees it fit to release histamine and other chemicals that cause irritation in various parts of the body including lungs, throat, nose, skin etc.

The Different Types Of Allergies

Just like there are different types of foods in the world (oh believe me honey!), there are also different types of allergy reactions which can surprise you anytime:

Food Allergy – When Your Favourite Diet Betrays You

Yes I know how much you savor that peanut butter sandwich with jelly jam but what if your immune system is triggered by peanuts? A food allergy reaction result in intense symptoms including hives (itchy rash), stomach cramps, vomiting or even Anaphylaxis shock.

Skin Reactions That Make Us Wonder Why We Ever Went Outside On A Sudden Sunny Day

Ever wondered why mosquitoes only bite certain people at picnics? It might be because some people’s bodies promise them enough attention from mosquitoes already with chronic skin conditions like eczema and contact dermatitis causing inflammation on their skins (I hope they don’t turn into red angry kangaroo).

Hay Fever – Making Everyone ‘Miserable’ Like Mr Bean

Now before you say I am being unkind, hay fever is a reaction that triggers off when pollen allergies come flying around! Symptoms can range from the type of boy/girl you get attracted to (ahem..sniff sniff good smell) or simply resemble the symptoms of any other allergic reaction. Yeah hay fever makes us miserable and snappy (be warned!).

Asthma – Breathing Troubles Caused By More Than Emotional Turmoil

Can’t breathe because your parents nag? No relation here 🙁 Asthma is an allergy caused by environmental irritants such as pet dander, dust mites or even air pollutants. If wheezing and shortness of breath comes coupled with intense migraines that make you question everything; welcome to the world of asthma attack!

When Allergies Play ‘Mystery Guest’ From Hell

Now as much as we may be jumping overboard thinking we can differentiate all types of allergens out there, there are times when human body gets confused about what it actually hates/needs in life:

  • Cross-reactivity: Sometimes our body tends to collaborate its response towards one allergen into another substance similar in shape or structure. So if someone might have peach allergy; birch tree bark’s proteins would react badly too.
  • Idiopathic allergies: For those who didn’t like their science homework back then, this means ‘unknown cause’. Basically when our bodies react negatively without any legitimate reason which only adds mystery more than anything else.

What Can Be Done Against These Body Rebels?

Oh well let me tell you some easy peasy things that’d make you feel only slightly less frustrated dealing with them:

Go Out But With Shield And Armour!

Make sure wherever you go outside especially at seasonal changes:

  • Cover up most exposed parts (T-shirts don’t count).
  • Wear a mask;
    (When did COVID masks become statement pieces though?!)

Come on, it’d be useful against allergic rhinitis any way!

  • Check pollen count before going out:

You wouldn’t want to actively hunt for your allergies when levels are high;
(Unless you’re THAT person who can really ‘persevere’))

Increase Seasonal Fruits Consumption

This might make it easier and more manageable to fight seasonal allergies. Increased vitamin C from fruits such as citrus or strawberries boost our immune system while adding important antioxidants needed by the body.

DIY Good For All Body Therapies

A few easy home remedies that could make you less of a walking sneeze dispenser:

  • Gargle with salt water:

    It causes mucus in throat tissues to thin down!

  • Use nasal sprays:

    Nasal sprays decrease nasal congestion and thus difficult breathing
    (Throwing away those decaying ones first should be prioritized here.)

So Are These Rebels Harmful?

The question we came up with in the beginning? Not so simple! There can’t be a universally applicable answer; some people’s immune systems remain unaffected while others experience life-threatening symptoms. Even death due to anaphylaxis has happened after severe allergic reactions but let’s not freak ourselves out (c’mon there’s cheesecake that needs eating!)

Keeping the difference between proper treatment and being over-cautious is crucial: Avoidance of what one is allergic toward doesn’t necessarily fix the issue i.e., avoidance of all protein ever because someone had IBS irritation once on eating porridge (ouch!) Since many food items contain proteins present in other foods too causing light triggers, patients suffering from this condition need testings where diagnosis comes around by detecting IgE specific immunoglobulin.

Conclusion:

Having allergies isn’t just restricted to regular coughs or blocked noses as people think them to normally feel like – they could actually become pretty dangerous (cue old school Bollywood suspense music). Nevertheless, with an understanding of what causes your allergies and how to prevent these unwanted reactions; allergy management is quite possible.

Perhaps one of the benefits of living in modern times is medication has become greatly available alleviating allergic symptoms efficiently but maintaining mindfulness by always being cautious will remain key!

Stay safe out there from those imaginary yet powerful super-villains also known as allergens!

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