Allergy Types
Learn the types of allergies including food allergies, seasonal allergies, pet allergies, and many more.
Food Allergies
Food Allergies and Food Intolerance
Food allergies or food intolerances affect nearly everyone at some point. People often have an unpleasant reaction to something they ate and wonder if they have a food allergy.
Milk Allergy
If you suffer from a milk allergy, strictly avoiding milk and food containing milk and milk products is the only way to prevent a reaction, which can include immediate wheezing, vomiting, and hives.
Egg Allergy
Egg allergies — especially to egg whites — are more common in children than in adults and reactions range from mild to severe.
Wheat Allergy
If you are allergic to any wheat protein strictly avoiding wheat and wheat products is the only way to prevent a reaction, which can include stomach upset, eczema, allergic rhinitis, bronchospasm (asthma-like symptoms) and even anaphylaxis.
Nut Peanut Allergy
If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly avoiding nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts like cashews and walnuts, and food containing nuts is the only way to prevent a reaction.
Fish Allergy
If your doctor is able to identify exactly which type of fish causes your allergies, than you only need to eliminate that species of fish from your diet. For the majority of fish allergy sufferers, this is not an option and all fish must be avoided.
Shelfish Allergy
Learn about shellfish allergies and which foods to avoid.
Sulfite Allergy
Sulfites are a group of sulfur-based compounds that may occur naturally or may be added to food as an enhancer and preservative. The FDA estimates that one out of 100 people is sensitive to the compounds.
Soy Allergy
Soy allergies start with soybeans. Soybeans are legumes. Other foods in the legume family include navy beans, kidney beans, string beans, black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas (garbanzo or chichi beans), lentils, carob, licorice, and peanuts.
Casein Allergy
If a glass of milk or a slice of pizza causes swollen lips, hives, or other significant symptoms, you may have an allergy to casein, a protein in milk.
Seasonal Allergies
Spring Allergies
Spring is the time of year that we normally think of when it comes to seasonal allergies. As the trees start to bloom and the pollen gets airborne, allergy sufferers begin their annual ritual of sniffling and sneezing.
Summer Allergies
Although spring most readily comes to mind when we think of allergies, many of the same allergic triggers that can make us miserable in the spring persist into summer.
Fall Allergy
The allergy triggers might be slightly different, but they can be just as misery-inducing as the flower pollen that fills the air in the spring and summer.
Winter Allergies
Here are some common causes of winter allergies, and a few tips for managing your symptoms.
Pet Allergies
Dog Allergy
For a person with dog allergies, life in a dog-loving country isn't easy. Nearly 40% of U.S. households have a dog. Dog dander gets everywhere, including places where dogs have never set a paw.
Cat Allergy
Here are some answers — what you need to know about cat allergies, from causes to treatments.
Other Allergies
Hay Fever
Hay fever is an immune disorder characterized by an allergic response to pollen grains and other substances. Also known as allergic rhinitis, there are two types: seasonal, which occurs only during the time of year in which certain plants pollinate, and perennial, which occurs all year round.
Allergic Conjuctivitis (Pink Eye)
Pink eye caused by bacteria, viruses, or STDs can spread easily from person to person but is not a serious health risk if diagnosed promptly; allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
Hives (Urticaria)
Hives, also known as urticaria, are an outbreak of swollen, pale red bumps, patches, or welts on the skin that appear suddenly — either as a result of allergies, or for other reasons.
Allergies to poison lvy, Oak, And Sumac
Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that contain an irritating, oily sap called urushiol. Urushiol triggers an allergic reaction when it comes into contact with skin, resulting in an itchy rash, which can appear within hours of exposure or up to several days later.
Allergies to Insect Strings (Bee Stings)
Bee, wasp, yellow jacket, hornet, or fire ant stings are the insect stings that most often trigger allergies. However, most people are not allergic to insect stings and may mistake a normal sting reaction for an allergic reaction.
Mold Allergy
People with mold allergies, however, may have a reaction if exposed to too much of the fungus.
Pollen Allergy
For most people, a change of seasons signals the beginning of long, lazy days or cool, crisp evenings. But for the one in 10 Americans who suffers from pollen allergies, changing seasons can mean misery.
Sun Reactions of The Skin
Most people's skin will burn if there is enough exposure to ultraviolet radiation. However, some people burn particularly easily or develop exaggerated skin reactions to sunlight.
Aspirin Allergy (Salicylate Allergy)
Salicylates are chemicals found naturally in plants and are a major ingredient of aspirin and other pain-relieving medications. They are also found in many fruits and vegetables as well as in many common health and beauty products.
Cosmetic Allergy
Although cosmetics can help us feel more beautiful, they can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Certain ingredients used in cosmetics, such as fragrances and preservatives, can act as allergens, substances that trigger an allergic reaction.
Nickel Allergy
A nickel allergy is a skin reaction that develops after exposure to nickel or items containing the metal.
Drug Allergy
Many drugs can cause adverse side effects, and certain medicines can trigger allergic reactions. In an allergic reaction, the immune system mistakenly responds to a drug by creating an immune response against it.
Dust Allergy
Life with dust allergies — whether they're yours or a family member's — comes with a load of questions. For instance, might a dust allergy explain your child's never-ending cold symptoms?
Chemical Allergy
They promise to make your skin soft, your hair shiny, and your laundry springtime fresh, but for some people the chemicals in shampoos, cosmetics, and detergents trigger allergic skin reactions.
Pencillin Allergy
A penicillin allergy is an allergic reaction that occurs when your body's immune system overreacts to penicillin antibiotics.A penicillin allergy is an allergic reaction that occurs when your body's immune system overreacts to penicillin antibiotics.
What Are Colds and Allergies?
Colds are caused by hundreds of different viruses. When one of these viruses gets into your body, your immune system attacks it. Some of the effects of this immune response are the classic symptoms of a cold, such as congestion and coughing.
The germs that cause colds are contagious. You can pick them up when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or shakes hands with you. After a couple of weeks, at the most, your immune system fights off the virus and you should stop having symptoms.
Allergies are caused by an overactive immune system. For some reason, your body mistakes harmless substances — such as dust or pollen — for germs and attacks them. Your body releases chemicals such as histamine, just as it does when fighting a cold. This can cause swelling in your nasal passages, a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing. Allergies are not contagious, although some people may inherit a tendency to develop them.
Differences Between Colds and Allergies
Characteristic |
Cold |
Allergy |
Duration |
3-14 days |
Days to months — as long as you are exposed to the allergen |
Time of Year |
Most often in the winter, but possible at any time |
Any time of the year — although the appearance of some allergens are seasonal |
Onset of symptoms |
Symptoms take a few days to appear after infection with the virus |
Symptoms can begin immediately after exposure to the allergen |
Symptom |
Cold |
Allergy |
Cough |
Often |
Sometimes |
Aches |
Sometimes |
Never |
Fatigue |
Sometimes |
Sometimes |
Fever |
Rarely |
Never |
Itchy, watery eyes |
Rarely |
Often |
Sore throat |
Often |
Sometimes |
Runny or stuffy nose |
Often |
Often |
Although there are some differences, cold and allergy symptoms overlap quite a bit. The most important difference is that colds usually don't last longer than 14 days. If you still have symptoms after two weeks, see your doctor. These may be allergy symptoms or a sign of another problem.
Symptoms of Allergies
General Allergy Symptoms
When you have an allergic reaction there may be a combination of the following allergy symptoms:
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sneezing
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wheezing
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nasal congestion
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coughing
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itchy, watery eyes
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runny nose
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itchy throat
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stomach ache
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itchy skin
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hives
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fatigue
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irritability
Allergy symptoms occur when your immune system overreacts to an allergen—something that usually is harmless, such as plant pollen, dust mites, molds, insect stings or food. If you have an allergy, your immune system acts as if the allergen were dangerous, releasing a chemical called histamine that causes allergy symptoms.
If the allergen is something you breathe in from the air, your reaction will most likely affect your eyes, nose and lungs. If it's something you eat, it may affect your mouth, stomach and intestines. Food allergies also can cause skin rashes or even asthma symptoms.
The symptoms of an allergic reaction can vary, depending on which substance (allergen) you are allergic to.
If you are allergic to substances in the air – such as pollen, animal dander and dust mites – the symptoms usually include:
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rhinitis – sneezing and a blocked, itchy or runny nose
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conjunctivitis – itchy, red, streaming eyes
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asthma – wheezing, breathlessness and a cough
If you are allergic to a certain food or medication, symptoms can include:
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urticaria (hives) – a raised, itchy, red rash
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swelling – usually affecting the lips, tongue, eyes and face
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abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea
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atopic eczema – the skin becomes dry, red and cracked
Sensitisation
The symptoms of an allergic reaction do not happen the first time you come into contact with an allergen, but at a later point of contact.
This is because the body’s immune system has to develop sensitivity to the allergen before you can become allergic to it. In other words, your immune system needs to recognise and memorise the allergen (for example, pet hair or pollen) and then make antibodies against it. This process is known as sensitisation.
The time taken to become sensitised to an allergen varies from days to years. Some people stop in the sensitisation phase, as they experience symptoms, but never fully develop an allergy.
Anaphylaxis
In very rare cases, an allergy can lead to a severe allergic reaction, called anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.
Most allergic reactions occur locally in a particular part of the body, such as the nose, eyes or skin. In anaphylaxis, the allergic reaction involves the whole body and usually happens within minutes of coming into contact with a particular allergen.
The symptoms of anaphylactic shock can include any or all of the following:
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swelling of the throat and mouth
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difficulty swallowing or speaking
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difficulty breathing
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a rash anywhere on the body
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flushing and itching of the skin
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stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting
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a sudden feeling of weakness, due to a fall in blood pressure
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collapsing and becoming unconscious
How Can You Learn What Type Of Allergens Affect You?
The most common method doctors use to identify specific allergies is a skin test. By scratching the skin, or making an injection just underneath it, the doctor can observe your body's reaction to various allergens.
This skin test cannot classify all allergies, however it does cover major categories, such as common respiratory allergies, penicillin, food, and insect stings. Being aware of your allergy could prevent a future allergic reaction that could be life threatening.
The children of those with allergies have a greater chance of having allergies themselves. As a result, doctors often learn about a patient's allergies based on family and personal medical records.
Finally, doctors find clues in the recent activities patients engage in by asking a battery of questions to gauge allergy information. For example, to determine whether your reaction is a result of food, airborne or chemical allergens, the doctor might ask, “Have you eaten anything unusual recently?”, “Have you been working or exercising vigorously outdoors?” or “Did you come into contact with anything which might have irritated your skin and eyes?” Your doctor will likely ask if you suffer from asthma, since allergies increase the risk of an asthma attack.
Prevention and Treatment of Colds and Allergies
Because the causes of cold and allergy symptoms are quite different, preventing them requires different strategies.
To prevent allergy symptoms, avoid substances you're allergic to, called allergens. So if you're allergic to pollen, for instance, avoid going outside on days when the pollen count is high. Here are some common allergens:
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Pollen
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Mold
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Animal dander
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Dust mites
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Cockroaches