Allergy Symptoms and Management

By Dr. S. P. Pradhan on 5th October, 2025

What is Allergy?

An allergy is our body’s response of the immune system to an external substance or agent, known as an allergen.

A person having allergy when comes in contact with certain allergens like pollen, dust, certain foods, insect stings, or pet dander; their immune system overreacts and releases chemicals like histamine. This causes the  allergic symptoms.

 Common Allergens

• Airborne: pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander

• Foods: peanuts, shellfish, eggs, milk, brinjal

• Medications: penicillin, sulfonamides

• Insect stings: bees, wasps

• Others: latex, certain chemicals or metals

Symptoms of Allergy

Respiratory or Airborne Allergies

Respiratory allergy is most common

• Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose

• Itchy, watery eyes

• Itchy throat

• Coughing

• Wheezing or shortness of breath

Food Allergies

Sometimes food allergy causes hypersensitivity

• Itching of mouth or throat

• Swelling of lips, face, tongue, or throat

• Red, itchy swellings on skin

• Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

• Anaphylaxis is the life-threatening reaction causing breathing difficulty and low blood pressure. Anaphylaxis is an acute, potentially fatal systemic allergic reaction with varied mechanisms and clinical symptoms. Although prompt recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis are imperative, both patients and healthcare professionals often fail to recognize and diagnose early signs and symptoms of this condition. Clinical manifestations with common signs are cutaneous symptoms, including urticaria, angioedema, erythema and pruritus. Immediate intramuscular administration of epinephrine into the anterolateral thigh is first-line therapy and it can be life saving in anaphylaxis.

Insect Sting Allergies

Insect sting can also cause allergy at the site

• Redness, pain, or swelling at sting site

• Itching elsewhere

• Difficulty in breathing or swallowing in severe reactions

Medication Allergies

• Rash

• Itching

• Swelling of face or throat

• Breathing problems

• Dizziness or fainting (in anaphylaxis)

Seek immediate medical help or call doctor if you notice:

• Trouble breathing or respiratory distress

• Swelling of the tongue or throat

• Feeling faint or dizzy

• Rapid heartbeat

Treatment

1. Avoid the allergen whenever possible. When go outdoor in a polluted environment try to wear mask.

2. Antihistamines to relieve  symptoms. Anti-histamines block the allergic reaction by blocking the release of chemical mediator histamine. Examples- Antihistamines like cetirizine, levocetirizine, loratidine block the symptoms of allergy.

3. Nasal sprays  for localized relief of nasal congestion.

4. Allergy shots or immunotherapy for long-term control. Those persons having persistent allergy benefit from immunotherapy.

5. Epinephrine for severe allergic reactions or type-3 hypersensitivity reaction. It is given as intramuscular injection for severe allergic reaction.