Pin-Pointing Common Allergy Sites

Article contributed by:

Raffles Medical Group

Did you know that an allergy is a disorder of the immune system?  Allergic reactions occur when your immune system react to allergens, usually harmless environmental substances.  These reactions are acquired, predictable and rapid.
 
Many allergens, such as dust or pollen, are airborne particles.  In these cases, symptoms arise in areas that are in contact with the air, such as the skin, eyes, nose and lungs.  Dr Wong Wei Mon, Senior Physician at Raffles Medical, shares with us the common sites where allergy symptoms manifest on our body.
 
Eyes

The symptom of itching usually indicates an allergic reaction.  This is true of allergic conjunctivitis, where the primary symptom is itching of the eye.  In addition, you may also experience redness and tearing of the eyes, runny nose and blurred vision.
 
Nose and Airways

Allergic reactions can be mild, as in the case of allergic rhinitis, where the symptoms are irritation of the nose, sneezing, blocked or runny nose. Allergies can also play a major role in conditions such as asthma.  Inhaled allergens can lead to asthmatic symptoms such as shortness of breath (dyspnoea), coughing and wheezing.  This is due to the narrowing of the airways (bronchoconstriction) and the increased production of mucus in the lungs.
 
Mouth

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a type of food allergy typified by a cluster of allergic reactions in the mouth in response to eating certain (usually fresh) fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
 
Allergic reactions in OAS sufferers usually occur very rapidly, within minutes of eating a trigger food.  The most common reaction is an itching or burning sensation in the lips, mouth, and / or pharynx.  Occasionally, there may be a swelling of the lips, tongue, and uvula and a sensation of tightness in the throat.
 
If a sufferer swallows the food and the allergen is not destroyed by the stomach acids, there is a good chance that there will be a reaction from histamine release later in the gastrointestinal tract.  Vomiting, diarrhoea, severe indigestion, or cramps may then occur.
 
Once you’ve identified your potential OAS triggers, you’ll need to avoid them in their raw state.  Often just peeling or cooking the food will reduce the effects.  At times, an antihistamine can effectively relieve the symptoms.
 

Skin
Our skin is the largest organ in our body.  Is there any surprise that this is a common site for allergy symptoms?  Common skin allergy conditions include eczema and hives.

 
Eczema is a term used for a group of skin conditions having several things in common: dryness, itchiness, inflammation and thickening of skin, and recurrence.  Scratching can actually trigger eczematous rashes.  It is a vicious cycle as initial mild itching makes you want to scratch.  However, scratching damages the skin, worsens inflammation, irritates surface nerves, and leads to an even more intense itch than what you had before.

 
Some cosmetics or laundry detergents can also make certain people break out in an itchy rash.  If it happens to you, you may be allergic to the chemicals in these products.  Dyes, household cleaners, and pesticides used on lawns or plants can also cause allergic reactions in some people.

 
Digestive Tract

Eosinophils are a subgroup of white blood cells which have a role in the protective immunity against certain parasites but also contribute to the inflammation that occurs in allergic disorders.
 
Eosinophilic disorder is a condition where there is high numbers of eosinophils as a result of inflammation of the digestive tract.  The condition is caused by allergies to many foods and can be triggered or exacerbated by airborne allergies.
 
Esoinophilic gastroenteritis is often misdiagnosed as acid reflux or chronic heartburn because they have similar symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, choking, cramping, diarrhoea and weight loss.

Allergic Reaction in Multiple Sites

Some types of allergies produce multiple symptoms, and in rare cases, an allergic reaction can become very severe.  This severe reaction is called anaphylaxis.
 
Signs of anaphylaxis include difficulty in breathing, difficulty in swallowing, swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat or other parts of the body, and dizziness or loss of consciousness.

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Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group

Dated: July 2011

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