What are the types of allergy?

By Joel Escol

Allergy is a condition of the immune system that almost all people may have or have experienced at some point in their lives.

Though common, not all people may have the same type of allergy and the treatment to relieve the symptoms may also vary from one person to another.

Among the types of allergies that people may have are allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, food allergy, skin allergy, drug allergy, dust allergy, eye allergy, insect sting allergy, latex allergy, cockroach allergy, mold allergy and pet allergy. 

Allergic rhinitis is characterized by nasal irritation or inflammation which leads to congestion of the nasal passages. It can be seasonal or perennial.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis occurs during spring, summer or early fall and may be caused by sensitivity to pollens or mold spores. 

Among the signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis are stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing and itching. Some people may also experience itching of the eyes.

Allergic rhinitis may be caused by exposure to chemicals and cigarette smoke, changes in temperature, infections and other factors.

Sinusitis is characterized by inflammation of the sinuses and may be caused by bacterial infections, particularly viruses and fungi. 

Sinusitis looks like a normal condition. However, it can be life-threatening if the sinus cavity that is affected is located close to the brain or has already spread to the brain.

Almost all food may cause an allergy but the most common are nuts, shellfish, eggs and dairy products.

Meanwhile, skin allergies are characterized by rashes, the most common of which are eczema and hives or urticaria.

Eczema causes the skin to become red, itchy and irritated while hives appear as red bumps or welts in the body.

Among the drugs that may cause allergies are penicillin and sulfonamide. Some allergic reactions to these drugs may lead to anaphylaxis, a serious and life-threatening condition that needs immediate treatment.

Dust allergy is a type of reaction when a person is exposed to dust. It is characterized by runny or stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, and sneezing. If a person has asthma, exposure to dust may trigger the condition and causes wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

Eye allergy, also called as allergic conjunctivitis, is characterized by itchy, red, teary and watery eyes. This can be caused by airborne allergens such as weed and tree pollens, and grass.

Fur or hair of pets, molds, dust mites, perfume and cigarette smoke may also cause eye allergy.

Insect sting allergy is characterized by itchiness, swelling in the area bitten by the insects and other parts of the body, hives, difficulty breathing, hoarseness of voice, dizziness and may lead to cardiac arrest.

Health workers and those who always wear latex gloves are at risk of developing latex allergy, including those who are exposed to natural rubber latex. 

Other products that also contain latex include syringes, catheters, bandages, intravenous tubings, condoms, balloons, tires, baby bottles, pacifiers, handbags, waistbands and athletic shoes.

Latex allergy is characterized by hives, itching, stuffy or runny nose and asthma symptoms.

If you have any of these types of allergies, it is very important to consult a doctor who can give you the correct treatment.

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Joel Escol is an online media professional, Internet Entrepreneur and Network Builder. He has an allergy problem so that he shares to this blog how to properly treat allergy while you will have also the opportunity to earn in the process. Joel is now earning $1000 per month online.