Allergy is an exaggerated reaction of one’s immune system to a harmless foreign substance also known as an allergen, which is not bothersome to most people. This condition is known to create a lot of discomfort in patients. However, with proper allergy treatment, it can be managed well. It’s important to learn about different allergy signs and symptoms, causes, management options, and foods to eat to keep the symptoms under control.
Signs of allergy
Allergy is a chronic condition that makes the immune system behave differently to a harmless foreign substance. Some allergies are seasonal, like hypersensitivity to pollen and flower fragrance, while others are year-round, such as exaggerated immune reactions to some foods and treatment options. An allergen can be anything like pollen, dust mites, animal dander, food, fragrances, and more. The entry of these irritants into the body leads to the production of antibodies by the immune system, which accelerates the production of histamines and other chemicals. These chemical messengers cause the development of certain allergy signs and symptoms, such as:
- Inflammation
- Irritation
- Itching
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Runny nose
- Appearance of hives and rashes
- Swelling
The symptoms appear depending on the type of allergen as well as the severity of the reaction. Moreover, in severe cases, patients can even experience difficulty in breathing and swelling along the tongue, face, and lips, this condition is called anaphylaxis.
Causes
A range of factors can cause allergies, including lifestyle choices, environment, and genes.
- Lifestyle
People who lead a sedentary lifestyle or have a nutrition deficit food regime are more prone to suffering from an allergy as they usually have a poor immune system. - Environment
People who reside in an environment where the pollution levels are alarming or there is too much pollen or dust mites are at a higher risk of suffering from allergies. - Genetics
Allergy is also common in people who have a family history of the disease.
Treatments
Certain allergy treatment options prescribed by doctors, immunotherapy, and avoiding known allergens are some ways to manage the condition.
Foods that help manage allergy symptoms
When it comes to finding natural allergy remedies, some food items can help, provided the person does not have a food allergy. Specific foods are known to aggravate the reaction and make it worse, so it becomes important to keep track of what is being eaten. Some of the common foods to help with allergy are:
- Berries
It is important to include antioxidant-rich foods in one’s daily meals as they aid in lowering inflammation in the body. Berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are powerhouses of oxidation-inhibiting compounds. Additionally, one can even include nuts and leafy greens as part of their nutrition regime as these food items are also rich in antioxidants. However, some people might be allergic to nuts, so exercising caution before snacking on nuts is important. - Yogurt
The inclusion of probiotic-enriched foods like yogurt and kefir proves helpful in lowering the risk of allergies as these help boost the immune system. - Omega-3-rich food sources
Certain fish like salmon and mackerel, and nuts and seeds like walnut and flaxseeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These foods help in lowering inflammation and boosting respiratory health.
