Allergies that cause wheezing may not always produce breathing obstructions that are severe. Whenever the respiratory system is involved in an allergic reaction, however, the possibility for anaphylaxis, a critical metabolic disturbance, exists.
Allergens that are ingested through the respiratory or digestive systems, as opposed to absorption by the skin, are most likely to create the conditions for breathing problems. An inflammatory response can block air flow, affecting inhalation and exhalation. Excess accumulation of mucus in the airways contributes to the obstruction that produces wheezing allergy symptoms.
Food Allergy
When an allergen in a food enters the body, it may first affect the mouth, tongue and throat. An allergic reaction to a fruit, for instance, may cause the inside of the mouth, the tongue and/or the throat to swell. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) relates that this can lead to difficulty swallowing and breathing problems. People with allergies to milk, nuts or shellfish may experience these allergy symptoms. An acute reaction to a food may include anaphylaxis, a dangerous respiratory and cardiovascular condition. The National Institutes of Health report that wheezing is one sign of anaphylaxis.
Insect Sting Allergy
Wheezing is not a normal sign of an insect sting, but indicates an allergic reaction to insect venom, which can be life threatening in some people. The entire body can be affected when a bee, fire ant, wasp, or hornet injects its venom into the bloodstream through the small blood vessels in subcutaneous tissue. According to the Cleveland Clinic, wheezing is one of several insect allergy symptoms that may precede shock, loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest in extreme situations.
Drug Allergy
Breathing problems also arise from ingesting a drug allergen. These symptoms, including wheezing, may be distinct and finite or part of the progression of anaphylactic shock. The UMMC notes that drug allergies are not the same as drug side effects, although the two conditions may share symptoms. Drugs that are known to produce allergies include antibiotics, anticonvulsants and some insulin medications.
Allergic Rhinitis
Wheezing is an extreme allergy symptom of hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis. The histamines produced by the body during an allergic reaction to pollen cause fluids to enter and block the sinuses, throat and nasal passages. Severe blockages can give rise to labored breathing, of which wheezing is a sign. The UMMC notes that many allergic rhinitis patients also suffer from asthma. The two conditions together raise the risk for breathing problems that include wheezing.
