What Is An Allergy And Why Do You Need to Get Tested?

Max Lab

Nov 16, 2022

What is an Allergy?

An allergy is your body’s reaction to a substance or condition. It happens when your body produces and releases histamine or histamine-like substances. In simple terms, an allergy is what causes your immune system to overreact to a substance, which is otherwise harmless to most people. These substances are called allergens and are found in dust mites, certain food items, pollen, insects, moulds, etc. These foreign substances or antigens trigger the immune system to create immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that can cause a range of allergic symptoms, such as rashes, runny noses, watery eyes, minor headaches, and other types of skin allergies.

The creation of these antibodies usually occurs at exposure when antigens are inhaled, swallowed, injected, or come in contact via mouth, eyes, and skin. The body’s immune system responds not due to the harmful nature of these antigens but because these substances are picked up by the antigen-presenting cells and alert the immune system of a foreign presence. It causes the activation of the nearby immune white blood cells called lymphocytes, which include killer cells, T, and B cells. T cells usually wipe out any traces of the antigen, but in cases where antigens enter the body of a non-allergic person, B cells transform into plasma cells that create antibodies. These antibodies, with the help of mast cells and basophils, attach themselves to the antigens and the release of histamine occurs, which causes allergies.

Though there are different types of allergic reactions, and they can depend on the severity of an attack, some cases could be life-threatening and need urgent attention.

What Are Allergic Reactions?

Different antigens cause the immune system to react differently; the symptoms that the person is experiencing are what are called allergic reactions. Despite that, an allergy can cause a fever as well, along with some other symptoms. These are some common symptoms of allergy that most people experience after the reaction:

• Itchy, watery eyes and nose
• Running or Blocked nose
• Rashes
• Stomach Cramps
• Swelling and Redness on certain body parts
• Coughing, Wheezing or difficulty breathing

Though these reactions usually go away on their own, it is best to get an allergy test done to determine what types of allergies you may have.

The 5 Stages of an Allergic Reaction

There are 5 stages of an allergic reaction. Knowledge of the 5 stages of an allergic reaction can help understand the reason behind certain symptoms and with allergy management.

Stage 1: Exposure

The first stage of an allergic reaction is exposure, which may happen through ingestion, inhalation, and contact with the skin.

Stage 2: Sensitisation

This stage is when the immune system of the body ‘learns’ how to recognise the particular allergen. This is done by the immune system producing specific antibodies, called Immunoglobulin (IgE).

Stage 3: Mast Cells Activation

Subsequent exposure to the allergen leads to the IgE antibodies binding to the allergen, which are attached to the mast cells, triggering the cells to start releasing certain chemicals.

Stage 4: Histamine Release

Histamine is released by the mast cells, which causes increased mucus secretion, vasodilation, bronchial constriction, and other symptoms that are associated with allergies and allergic reactions.

Stage 5: Onset of Symptoms

In this stage, people start noticing the symptoms of allergic reactions. Depending on the individual and the allergen, the symptoms can range from mild to severe. An allergy can cause a fever, itching, or skin rash, or it may even lead to severe anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical intervention.

Types of Allergic Reactions:

• Skin allergy - Eczema, Contact Dermatitis, Hives, Angioedema
• Food allergy - Vomiting, Stomach cramps, weak pulse

Types of Allergy Tests and When to Take Them

There are various types of allergies and, as a result, various allergy tests that your doctor may order you to take depending on what your symptoms are for the diagnosis of the allergy. While it is simple to detect allergies, through allergy screening tests, determining the causes requires test results. Types of allergy tests:

• A skin prick or patch test, in which a small amount of the allergen is applied to your skin to see how it reacts. This is a commonly used allergy testing process.
• Blood tests are performed to look for specific allergens responsible for triggering the immune system and causing all the symptoms.

These tests are usually followed by a special diet in which you avoid or eat less of a food to which you may be allergic to see if your symptoms improve. It is also called a preventive mechanism to cope with allergies. Screening for an allergy for a diagnosis is important to determine the right allergy management and treatment plan.

Medical Intervention Techniques for Allergy Management

Staying abreast of one’s allergic reactions that require medical attention is important.

• Get Immediate Medical Assistance: If someone is showing signs of anaphylaxis, they need immediate medical attention. Administering epinephrine or adrenaline can reverse the symptoms that can otherwise be life-threatening.
   
• Monitoring: The vital signs, like the blood pressure and heart rate should be monitored regularly. Another possible sign of a severe allergic reaction that should be watched closely is respiratory distress.
   
• Managing Symptoms: Medication can be administered as suggested by the doctor to alleviate the symptoms of the allergic reaction. The symptoms may include swelling, itching or rashes, and the medication may include bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and antihistamines.
   
• Education: If this is the first time that someone is experiencing an allergic reaction, they may need to go for allergy screening and diagnosis once they have been stabilised. After diagnosis, the individual must be told about their allergy, given tips to avoid the identified allergen, and equipped with the tools they need for future allergy management. In case they had a severe reaction, they must also be prescribed an autoinjector for epinephrine and trained on using it.
   
• Support: It is also important to ensure that they have emotional support to help them deal with the anxiety and stress that may come with an allergic reaction.

What Are the Treatments Available for Allergies?

After an allergy profile test that measures the IgE antibody in your blood, your specialist could prescribe an allergy management plan explaining the precautions and further treatments you might require. These allergy management plans and treatments usually include:

• Avoiding things that you are allergic to.
• Taking anti-histamines to relieve the extent of symptoms.
• Emergency medicines for severe allergic reactions.
• Immunotherapy, performed under the supervision of a specialist, involves slowly exposing the patient's immune system to better prepare it in fighting against the allergy.

Allergies are also often inherited, and an allergy testing process can help you figure out what is triggering your symptoms so that you can find ways to minimise or avoid them. The treatment and management plan for an allergic reaction is based on the type of reaction one has and how severe it is. Treatment may include emergency medical intervention for severe allergic reactions and medication for mild reactions, along with long-term strategies for allergy management and prevention.