Allergies are a prevalent medical condition, especially during the spring, summer and fall. They can be caused by various triggers or allergens in external and internal environments. An allergy attack is triggered when an allergen contacts the body and activates the immune system, causing a cascade of chemical reactions to release histamines in the body, which results in allergic reactions.
Itchy, Watery Eyes
Eyes are constantly exposed to the external environment and allergens and irritants can cause allergic reactions in the eyes, including chemicals, pollens and animal dander. Allergy symptoms such as watery, itchy eyes can be treated with saline eye drops or over-the-counter antihistamines. The online website AllAboutVision.com cited several reports stating that approximately 50 percent of the U.S. population suffers from allergic symptoms and 75 percent of these cases are related to symptoms affecting the eyes.
Sinusitis and Congestion
Other common symptoms of an allergic attack are sinus congestion and sinusitis (inflammation or infection of the sinus lining). According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), more than 37 million cases of sinusitis-related complication are diagnosed annually. Congestion represents the early stages of an allergic response in the respiratory system due to the massive release of histamine molecules released from specific cells (mast cells) in the body. Sinus congestion can vary from mild to severe allergic episodes requiring emergency medical attention. Since sinus congestion affects the respiratory system, too, common allergy symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and blocked sinuses that cause tension headaches. In patients with severe congestion, other medical problems secondary to the congestion can result, such as secondary infections, vertigo and sinusitis.
Hives and Bronchoconstriction
Local allergic responses, such as itchy hives and red wheals (raised bumps on the skin), can occur when an individual sensitive to a particular allergen comes into contact with the stimulus, such as poison ivy. Besides tissue swelling, an allergic reaction can also include vascular constriction, or in cases involving the respiratory system, bronchial-constriction. An article published in the journal of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology reported that exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a condition prevalent in about 10 percent of the U.S. population and approximately 80 percent of asthmatic sufferers. Bronchoconstriction is a temporary condition where the airways narrow, restricting or reducing flow of oxygen into the lungs. Note: This can become a serious medical condition requiring immediate emergency attention.
Systemic Anaphylaxis
An emergency medical condition can occur in certain individuals when a stimulant or allergen enters the bloodstream triggering a severe allergic reaction known as systemic anaphylaxis. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of anaphylaxis can include weak pulse rate, nausea, rash and vomiting. This reaction can result in tissue inflammation in the body, potentially causing damage to multiple organ systems. Anaphylaxis if not treated immediately can result in permanent damage to the body and its functions, or may even result in death.
