Despite food being one of the world’s most common allergies and the usual suspect in an allergic reaction, there are thousands of substances out there (both food and non-food related) that can trigger a range of allergic reactions. Most of these substances, or allergens, cause mild symptoms such as a rash, a blocked nose or itchy skin; yet some of them cause more serious symptoms such as nausea, cramps and hindered breathing.
If you’re suffering from allergic reactions and aren’t sure what’s causing them, here are some of the world’s most common allergies:
Grass and Pollen
Chances are, if it’s not you that has a runny nose and watery eyes during summer, you know someone that does. Grass and pollen allergies are easily one of the world’s most common allergies. In the UK alone, over 20% of the population suffers from hay fever – that’s over 13 million people. Although symptoms are very rarely serious, the minor symptoms can be frustratingly persistent.
Causes of Hay Fever
When pollen particles make contact with the cells in your lips, throat, nose and eyes, (as with any allergic reaction) the cells overreact and determine the pollen to be a threat. In defending against the perceived threat, your immune system begins to combat the pollen by releasing a variety of chemicals causing symptoms such as a runny nose and/or watery eyes.
Symptoms of Hay Fever
The symptoms of hay fever are usually mild and aren’t something to be overly concerned about. Symptoms include:
- Runny/blocked nose
- Watery eyes
- Itching
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Swollen eyes
- Fatigue
- Headache
Pets
With similar symptoms to hay fever, the saliva, urine and/or most commonly, the dander (dead skin cells) of an animal can trigger allergic reactions. Cats and dogs are the usual suspects when a pet triggers an allergic reaction, but any mammal, reptile or bird can trigger an allergy.
Causes of Pet Allergies
With cats and dogs, allergies are triggered primarily through their dander and saliva whilst with rodents, it’s usually always their urine. Due to a cat’s tendency to groom itself, saliva is often transferred to the fur making them a hotspot for allergens. With dogs, their tendency to lick people is a direct trigger of allergies. Alongside saliva, being in general proximity to a dog or a cat is a no-go for anyone who is allergic to their dander.
Symptoms of a Pet Allergy
The symptoms of a pet allergy are identical to hay fever. Sneezing, itching and watery eyes are the most common symptoms but most of the symptoms of a pet allergy include:
- Runny/blocked nose
- Watery eyes
- Itching
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Swollen eyes
- Fatigue
- Headache
Shellfish
Seafood in general can cause some pretty severe allergic reactions, but Shellfish is the most notorious one. The single most common food allergy in adults, allergies to Shellfish are usually always lifelong and affect a massive 2% of the U.S population alone. Typically, allergies develop during childhood, but Shellfish allergies are one of the few allergies known to have developed during adolescence and adulthood.
Causes of a Shellfish Allergy
There are two groups of shellfish – Crustaceans and Mollusks. Crustaceans include shrimps, crabs and lobsters whilst Mollusks include snails, mussels, scallops, oysters, squids, octopi and conches. Shellfish consist of a protein called tropomyosin which can be found in both Crustaceans and Mollusks. Since both groups of Shellfish share the protein, it’s uncommon to find someone who suffers allergic reactions from just one of the two groups.
Symptoms of a Shellfish Allergy
Symptoms typically surface within an hour of eating shellfish. These include:
- Hives
- Eczema
- Itching
- Difficulty breathing
- Nasal congestion
- Swollen lips
- Swollen tongue
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lightheadedness
If one or more of these symptoms arise after eating shellfish, it’s important to either visit an allergist, or book an appointment with your GP.
Dust Mites
Relatives of ticks and spiders, dust mites are tiny creatures that are too small to be viewed without a microscope. Unlike their relatives, dust mites live within dust and thrive in those conditions which cause buildups. Namely, these conditions are warmth and humidity, but it’s certain objects and items that pose a true threat due to them accommodating and allowing the buildup of dust. These include wooden furniture, upholstered furniture, computers, televisions, carpets, rugs and fireplaces.
Causes of Dust Allergies
As with most every allergy, a reaction to dust mites is (yet again) your immune system fighting off unknown intruders. Albeit, nine times out ten, your immune system has little to no reason to perceive so many harmless substances as threats, however, with dust mites, there are some suspicious behaviours which may justify a defensive reaction.
First of all, dust mites absorb water from humidity in the surrounding environment and feed on organic matter like recently shed skin cells. So although these behaviours aren’t harmful to humans, they’re not exactly inviting either.
Another cause for concern (even though it’s still relatively harmless) is that dust itself contains the decaying corpses and feces of former dust mites. Yet again, it’s not harmful per se, but it’s hardly hygienic.
Symptoms of a Dust Allergy
Almost identical to the symptoms of a common cold, symptoms of a dust allergy include:
- Runny/blocked nose
- Watery eyes
- Itching
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Swollen eyes
- Swollen lips
- Swollen tongue
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Hives
- Eczema
- Difficulty breathing
- Nasal congestion
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lightheadedness
In combating a dust allergy, the best place to start is with making sure the aforementioned items such as rugs, upholstered furniture and televisions are kept to a minimum. Besides this, there are some over-the-counter medicines available that’ll help to suppress your dust allergy.
Medications
Although drugs are rigorously tested for short-term and long-term health effects, with all the substances and chemicals found in prescription (and generic) drugs, it’s impossible to completely protect users from having allergic reactions. There a few types of medication that are known to cause allergic reactions, these are:
Penicillin
Penicillin is an antibacterial drug that is used to treat pneumonia, scarlet fever, syphilis, ear infections, skin infections, mouth infections, tooth infections and throat infections.Penicillin is a life-saving antibiotic that has been used for over 70 years. It is derived from a type of mould called Penicillium, which was first discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928. Fleming noticed that this mould had the ability to kill bacteria, and he began developing it into an antibiotic.
Penicillin became widely used during World War II, as it was effective in treating a variety of bacterial infections. It has since been used to treat millions of people around the world and has saved countless lives. However, when it comes to allergies to medication, Penicillin allergies are the most common allergies.
Symptoms of a Penicillin Allergy
- Hives
- Rash
- Itching
- Anaphylaxis (in severe cases)
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a medication that is used to relieve pain, inflammation, and fever. It is available over the counter and is commonly used to treat minor aches and pains. Ibuprofen can also be used to reduce fever. It works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are hormones that contribute to inflammation.
Ibuprofen is generally safe and effective, but it can cause side effects in some people. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, such as stomach pain, diarrhoea, and constipation. Ibuprofen can also cause kidney damage, so it is important to drink plenty of fluids when taking the medication. If you experience any serious side effects, stop taking ibuprofen and call your doctor immediately.
Symptoms of an Ibuprofen allergy
- Hives
- Rash
- Itching
- Anaphylaxis (in severe cases)
So while there are many different allergies that a person can have, there are a few that are much more common than others. The world’s most common allergies are typically environmental, such as pollen or pet dander. Other common allergies include certain foods, such as peanuts or shellfish. People with allergies can often find relief by avoiding their trigger, but in some cases, medication may be necessary. If you suspect you’re suffering from an allergy, contact your local pharmacy for advice, or book an appointment with an allergist.