Welcome to the April edition of the community education series. With Spring being upon us, along with nicer weather, we wanted to talk about the allergens that are coming back such as pollen and bees. We are going to discuss what allergens are, how they affect the body, and some basic treatments for them.
What is an allergen?
An allergen is a material or substance that triggers the immune system to react and treat it as an invader to the body. This chain of events is what causes the outward symptoms of an allergic reaction. There are some common allergens such as pollen, dust, pet hair, and bee stings.
How do allergens affect the body?
When the immune system senses the “invasion” of an allergen, it releases chemicals in the body called histamines that cause symptoms in the eyes, ears, nose, and throat usually. A skin rash can also develop based on how the allergen in introduced to the body. These same chemicals can also cause a severe reaction called an anaphylactic reaction that is life threatening if not treated quickly.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction
Symptoms can include one or more of the following:
Some of the above symptoms are relatively minor in severity. They serve as a warning that you are allergic to something in the area and the best way to avoid further symptoms is to remove yourself from the allergen present.
How to treat allergic reactions
Many symptoms of allergic reactions can be treated with over the counter antihistamines such as benadryl, allegra, zyrtec, etc. Other treatments include taking a cool cloth/paper towel and applying it to the skin/eyes if they are irritated. For more severe reactions, immediate medical interventions are needed such as Epi-pens. If you suspect any reaction that seems severe, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. While waiting for the ambulance, try to obtain what the person may be allergic to and have it ready to tell EMS when they arrive.
For more information, reference: