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Allergic Reaction

Overview

Allergies are an overreaction of the body's natural defence system that helps fight infections (immune system). The immune system normally protects the body from viruses and bacteria by producing antibodies to fight them. In an allergic reaction, the immune system starts to fight substances that are usually harmless, such as dust mites, pollen, or a medicine. It fights them as though these substances were trying to attack the body. This overreaction can cause a rash, itchy eyes, a runny nose, trouble breathing, nausea, and diarrhea.

An allergic reaction may not occur the first time you're exposed to an allergy-producing substance (allergen). For example, the first time you are stung by a bee, you may have only pain and redness from the sting. If you're stung again, you may have hives or trouble breathing. This is caused by the response of the immune system.

Many people will have some problem with allergies or allergic reactions at some point in their lives. Reactions can range from mild and annoying to sudden and life-threatening. Most allergic reactions are mild. Home treatment can relieve many of the symptoms. A reaction is more serious when a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) occurs, when allergies cause other problems (such as nosebleeds, ear problems, wheezing, or coughing), or when home treatment doesn't help.

Allergies often occur along with other problems, such as asthma, ear infections, sinusitis, and sleep apnea.

Types of allergies

There are many types of allergies. Some of the more common ones include:

Food allergies. They are more common in children than adults. Food allergies are most common in people who have an inherited tendency to develop allergic conditions. These people are more likely to have asthma and other allergies.
Medicine allergies. Many prescription and non-prescription medicines can cause an allergic reaction. These reactions are common and unpredictable.
Allergies to insect venom. When you are stung by an insect, poisons and other toxins in the insect's venom enter your skin. It's normal to have some swelling, redness, pain, and itching at the site of a sting. An allergic reaction to the sting occurs when your body's immune system overreacts to the venom of stinging insects.
Allergies to animals. These are more likely to cause breathing problems than skin problems. You may be allergic to your pet's dead skin (dander), urine, dried saliva, or hair.
Allergies to natural rubber (latex). Some people develop allergic reactions after repeated contact with latex, especially latex gloves.
Allergies that develop from exposure to a particular inhaled substance in the workplace. These allergies may be called occupational asthma.
Allergies to cosmetics, such as artificial nails, hair extensions, and henna tattoos.

Seasonal allergies show up at the same time of the year every year. They are caused by exposure to pollens from trees, grasses, or weeds.

Allergies that occur for more than 9 months out of the year are called perennial allergies.

Year-round symptoms (chronic allergies) can occur from exposure to animal dander, house dust, or mould.

Health Tools

Check Your Symptoms

Are you concerned about an allergic reaction? Review health risks that may make any symptom more serious.

Yes

Allergic reaction concerns

Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:

Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.

Symptoms of infection may include:

Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or around the area.
Red streaks leading from the area.
Pus draining from the area.
A fever.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may include:

The sudden appearance of raised, red areas (hives) all over the body.
Rapid swelling of the throat, mouth, or tongue.
Trouble breathing.
Passing out (losing consciousness). Or you may feel very light-headed or suddenly feel weak, confused, or restless.
Severe belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

A severe reaction can be life-threatening. If you have had a bad allergic reaction to a substance before and are exposed to it again, treat any symptoms as an emergency. Even if the symptoms are mild at first, they may quickly become very severe.

Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example:

You may feel a little out of breath but still be able to talk (mild difficulty breathing), or you may be so out of breath that you cannot talk at all (severe difficulty breathing).
It may be getting hard to breathe with activity (mild difficulty breathing), or you may have to work very hard to breathe even when you're at rest (severe difficulty breathing).

Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:

Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS.
Long-term alcohol and drug problems.
Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease.
Medicines taken after organ transplant.
Not having a spleen.

Shock is a life-threatening condition that may quickly occur after a sudden illness or injury.

Adults and older children often have several symptoms of shock. These include:

Passing out (losing consciousness).
Feeling very dizzy or light-headed, like you may pass out.
Feeling very weak or having trouble standing.
Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. You may be confused, restless, fearful, or unable to respond to questions.

Shock is a life-threatening condition that may occur quickly after a sudden illness or injury.

Babies and young children often have several symptoms of shock. These include:

Passing out (losing consciousness).
Being very sleepy or hard to wake up.
Not responding when being touched or talked to.
Breathing much faster than usual.
Acting confused. The child may not know where he or she is.

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R 13.8.0.0

Information about Allergic Reaction

Self-Care

Here are some things you can do at home to help your allergies.

Avoid contact with whatever is causing the itching.
If you know what's causing the itching or hives, then you can try to stay away from the irritant.
Treat a sore throat.
A sore throat may be caused by post-nasal drip. Adults and children who can gargle can try gargling with warm salt water at least once each hour to help ease throat soreness.
Treat hay fever or seasonal allergies.
Use saline washes to help clear a stuffy nose. Or take an allergy medicine that's specific to your symptoms.
Look out for mould.
Allergies that are worse in damp weather may be caused by mould. Mould produces spores that move, like pollen, in outdoor air during warmer months. During winter months, indoor moulds can also be a problem.
Be aware of indoor allergies.
Dust, vacuum, and mop often. Use HEPA filters on air cleaners and your vacuum. Clean or replace filters regularly.
Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets weekly. Use detergent, hot or warm water, and a dryer if possible.
Don't forget about animal allergies.
When allergies are worse around pets or animals, symptoms may be caused by your pet's dead skin (dander), urine, dried saliva, or hair.
Try antihistamines.
An antihistamine medicine, such as loratadine (Claritin), may help relieve itching, redness, and swelling. Don't give antihistamines to your child unless you've checked with the doctor first. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Try lotions or creams.
Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream applied to the skin may help relieve itching.

When to call for help during self-care

Call 911 if any of the following occur during self-care at home:

New or worse trouble breathing, wheezing, or tightness in the chest.
New or worse swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, or mouth.

Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:

New or worse hives.
New or worse skin swelling.
New or worse belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
New or worse signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, pus, or a fever.
Symptoms occur more often or are more severe.

Learn more

Preparing For Your Appointment

Credits

Current as of: September 25, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Click here to learn about Ignite Healthwise, LLC

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.

Allergic Reaction

Overview

Allergies often occur along with other problems, such as asthma, ear infections, sinusitis, and sleep apnea.

Types of allergies

There are many types of allergies. Some of the more common ones include:

Food allergies. They are more common in children than adults. Food allergies are most common in people who have an inherited tendency to develop allergic conditions. These people are more likely to have asthma and other allergies.
Medicine allergies. Many prescription and non-prescription medicines can cause an allergic reaction. These reactions are common and unpredictable.
Allergies to insect venom. When you are stung by an insect, poisons and other toxins in the insect's venom enter your skin. It's normal to have some swelling, redness, pain, and itching at the site of a sting. An allergic reaction to the sting occurs when your body's immune system overreacts to the venom of stinging insects.
Allergies to animals. These are more likely to cause breathing problems than skin problems. You may be allergic to your pet's dead skin (dander), urine, dried saliva, or hair.
Allergies to natural rubber (latex). Some people develop allergic reactions after repeated contact with latex, especially latex gloves.
Allergies that develop from exposure to a particular inhaled substance in the workplace. These allergies may be called occupational asthma.
Allergies to cosmetics, such as artificial nails, hair extensions, and henna tattoos.

Seasonal allergies show up at the same time of the year every year. They are caused by exposure to pollens from trees, grasses, or weeds.

Allergies that occur for more than 9 months out of the year are called perennial allergies.

Year-round symptoms (chronic allergies) can occur from exposure to animal dander, house dust, or mould.

Health Tools

Check Your Symptoms

Self-Care

Are you concerned about an allergic reaction? Review health risks that may make any symptom more serious.

Yes

Allergic reaction concerns

Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:

Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.

Symptoms of infection may include:

Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or around the area.
Red streaks leading from the area.
Pus draining from the area.
A fever.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may include:

The sudden appearance of raised, red areas (hives) all over the body.
Rapid swelling of the throat, mouth, or tongue.
Trouble breathing.
Passing out (losing consciousness). Or you may feel very light-headed or suddenly feel weak, confused, or restless.
Severe belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example:

You may feel a little out of breath but still be able to talk (mild difficulty breathing), or you may be so out of breath that you cannot talk at all (severe difficulty breathing).
It may be getting hard to breathe with activity (mild difficulty breathing), or you may have to work very hard to breathe even when you're at rest (severe difficulty breathing).

Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:

Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS.
Long-term alcohol and drug problems.
Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease.
Medicines taken after organ transplant.
Not having a spleen.

Shock is a life-threatening condition that may quickly occur after a sudden illness or injury.

Adults and older children often have several symptoms of shock. These include:

Passing out (losing consciousness).
Feeling very dizzy or light-headed, like you may pass out.
Feeling very weak or having trouble standing.
Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. You may be confused, restless, fearful, or unable to respond to questions.

Shock is a life-threatening condition that may occur quickly after a sudden illness or injury.

Babies and young children often have several symptoms of shock. These include:

Passing out (losing consciousness).
Being very sleepy or hard to wake up.
Not responding when being touched or talked to.
Breathing much faster than usual.
Acting confused. The child may not know where he or she is.

C undefined
R 13.8.0.0

Information about Allergic Reaction

Self-Care

Preparing For Your Appointment

Here are some things you can do at home to help your allergies.

Avoid contact with whatever is causing the itching.
If you know what's causing the itching or hives, then you can try to stay away from the irritant.
Treat a sore throat.
A sore throat may be caused by post-nasal drip (Figure 1). Adults and children who can gargle can try gargling with warm salt water at least once each hour to help ease throat soreness.
Treat hay fever or seasonal allergies.
Use saline washes to help clear a stuffy nose. Or take an allergy medicine that's specific to your symptoms.
Look out for mould.
Allergies that are worse in damp weather may be caused by mould. Mould produces spores that move, like pollen, in outdoor air during warmer months. During winter months, indoor moulds can also be a problem.
Be aware of indoor allergies.
Dust, vacuum, and mop often. Use HEPA filters on air cleaners and your vacuum. Clean or replace filters regularly.
Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets weekly. Use detergent, hot or warm water, and a dryer if possible.
Don't forget about animal allergies.
When allergies are worse around pets or animals, symptoms may be caused by your pet's dead skin (dander), urine, dried saliva, or hair.
Try antihistamines.
An antihistamine medicine, such as loratadine (Claritin), may help relieve itching, redness, and swelling. Don't give antihistamines to your child unless you've checked with the doctor first. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label (Figure 2).
Try lotions or creams.
Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream applied to the skin may help relieve itching.

When to call for help during self-care

Call 911 if any of the following occur during self-care at home:

New or worse trouble breathing, wheezing, or tightness in the chest.
New or worse swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, or mouth.

Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:

New or worse hives.
New or worse skin swelling.
New or worse belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
New or worse signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, pus, or a fever.
Symptoms occur more often or are more severe.

Learn more

Figure 2 - Reading medicine labels

1

Example of an over-the-counter Drug Facts label

slide 1 of 7

slide 1 of 7, 1,

Information about over-the-counter drugs can be found on labels attached to the product. Sometimes there is more information on or inside the product packaging.

2

Example of the Active Ingredient section of an over-the-counter Drug Facts label

slide 2 of 7

slide 2 of 7, 2,

An ACTIVE INGREDIENT is the part of the medicine that affects your body in a particular way. If the medicine is a sleeping aid, the active ingredient is what makes you sleepy. If it is a cream for rashes, the active ingredient is what helps relieve the symptoms. A product can have more than one active ingredient. "Generic" medicines have the same amount of the same active ingredients as more expensive brand-name medicines, and they work just as well.

3

Example of the Uses section of an over-the-counter Drug Facts label

slide 3 of 7

slide 3 of 7, 3,

The USES section explains what the product is used for, as well as the symptoms it's approved to treat.

4

Example of the Warnings section of an over-the-counter Drug Facts label

slide 4 of 7

slide 4 of 7, 4,

The WARNINGS section tells you what to be aware of before using this product, including what substances or activities to avoid, possible side effects, and what to do if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

5

Example of the Directions section of an over-the-counter Drug Facts label

slide 5 of 7

slide 5 of 7, 5,

The DIRECTIONS show the recommended dosage of the product. This includes both how much to take and how often to take it.

6

Example of the Other Information section of an over-the-counter Drug Facts label

slide 6 of 7

slide 6 of 7, 6,

The OTHER INFORMATION section explains how to store the product. It may also remind you to use the product by the expiration date (located on the package, or on the side or bottom of the medicine bottle).

7

Example of the Inactive Ingredients section of an over-the-counter Drug Facts label

slide 7 of 7

slide 7 of 7, 7,

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS in medicine are the parts that have no effect on your body at the amounts used. Inactive ingredients may help preserve the product, affect its colour, or put the active ingredient into a shape or consistency that's safe, effective, and easy for you to take or use.

Current as of: September 25, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Preparing For Your Appointment

Credits

Health Tools

Current as of: September 25, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

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Health Tools

Check Your Symptoms

Self-Care

Preparing For Your Appointment

Credits

Allergic Reaction

Overview

Types of allergies

Related Videos

Health Tools

Check Your Symptoms

Self-Care

Preparing For Your Appointment

Credits