pathoscribe

Written by Yong-Lin Hu | Art by Maya Wen

Sniffling, sneezing, itching, and nausea are all extremely common symptoms of a widespread phenomenon: allergies! In fact, nearly 20 percent of Americans are impacted by allergies.

In the presence of an allergen, the body will overreact and create antibodies to attack them, leading to physical reactions that may inflame the skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive system, which differ depending on the allergen. Allergic reactions can vary in severity, from mild discomfort through hives or swelling lips to life-threatening symptoms, generalized as anaphylaxis. The duration of an allergic reaction also depends on the reaction. Still, it will typically resolve within a few hours, as long as there is no continued exposure to the allergen. Medications, such as those administered by EpiPens, treat serious allergic reactions by rapidly dropping blood pressure, reducing swelling, and improving breathing. While they are quick-acting, they are not long-lasting, meaning additional doses and further medical aid may be required. EpiPens are usually injected into the thigh. 

Allergies are not contagious, but are something you are born with, or can later on develop in life. Those born from parents with allergies have a higher likelihood of developing them. Allergies can be formally diagnosed by consulting allergists, where they may utilize a skin test, patch test, or blood test to confirm. A skin test is done by lightly pricking or scratching the skin, then placing small amounts of allergen on the surface. If there is hypersensitivity, a small reaction will occur within 15 minutes, typically indicated through redness, itching, or hives. In a patch test, a small amount of allergen will be injected into the outer layer of the skin. In a blood test, a blood sample will be taken and sent into a laboratory, where the suspected allergens will be added, and the amount of antibodies produced will be measured. This is usually the last resort, since it has a high rate of false positive tests. At this point in time, there are no tests to determine allergy severity.

Being some of the most common allergies, peanut and cat allergies are often widely recognized, but the limits of allergies span much farther than most realize, ranging from food, medicines, inhalants, insect bites or stings, and latex.

Common dietary restrictions that stem from food allergies include milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, shellfish, and other tree nuts. Note that celiac disease is not a gluten allergy, but rather an intolerance. To protect those with food allergies, the FDA enforces labeling requirements of all ingredients and to specifically list common allergens. Furthermore, new developments are being made for food allergy prevention. However, they currently cannot be cured with treatments, though some food allergies can be grown out of. In fact, a reported 60 to 80% of individuals grow out of milk and egg allergies, while nuts or shellfish allergies tend to be lifelong.

Common medicinal allergens include insulin, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; eg. ibuprofen), antibiotics (eg. penicillin), and chemotherapy drugs. In these cases, alternate medication or treatment routes may be offered. For inhalants, common sources include mold, pollen, dust mites, and pets (eg. dander, saliva, fur, pee). In this case, asthma may be induced through allergens, but asthma itself is a separate disorder. Latex allergies develop with exposure to rubber latex, such as through rubber gloves, balloons, and bandages. It most commonly leads to skin irritation, also known as contact dermatitis. Finally, some insects, when biting or stinging, release venom, which may cause an allergic reaction. The most common sources include bees, hornets, fire ants, and spiders.

Works Cited:

“Allergies.” Cleveland Clinic, 16 Dec. 2016, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8610-allergies. 

“Allergies – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 24 Aug. 2024, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351497. 

Program, Human Foods. “Food Allergies.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/food-allergies#:~:text=Food%20allergies%20occur%20when%20the,fatal%20respiratory%20problems%20and%20shock. Accessed 22 Sept. 2024. 

“Allergy Diagnosis.” Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, 8 Aug. 2022, https://aafa.org/allergies/allergy-diagnosis/#:~:text=Your%20doctor%20may%20do%20a,doctor%20in%20making%20a%20diagnosis. 

“EpiPen Injection: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-20017/epipen-injection/details. Accessed 22 Sept. 2024.