What Are Allergens?

Allergens are substances that cause the body to produce an"VSports注册入口" allergic reaction. When you have allergies, your body mistakenly reacts to specific substances it detects as dangerous (allergens) by making antibodies to fight them. Allergic reactions are symptoms that result from your body creating these antibodies.

Allergens can be airborne or can arise from contact with your skin, from medications, or from food. Depending on the type, they may enter your body through your respiratory system, skin, or digestive tract. VSports app下载.

This article explains types of allergens, how they work, and their risks V体育官网. It also covers how to diagnose allergies and treat exposure to allergens. .

How Allergens Work (VSports手机版)

When you develop an allergic reaction to a substance, your body treats that substance (allergen) as a threat. Your body then produces an immune response against the allergen. Instead of producing a healthy immune response, it creates IgE antibodies against the allergens. V体育安卓版.

If you have allergies, your body's antibodies activate immune cells when you are exposed to an allergen V体育ios版. Those antibodies attach to specific cells in your body. In the future, when you come into contact with the same allergen, those cells release histamines, which produce symptoms like sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. .

The reason some people but not others develop allergies in response to specific allergens isn't fully understood, but allergies tend to "V体育平台登录" run in families. 

Types

Different types of allergens affect people in different ways. For example, some cause respiratory symptoms, while others result in skin rashes or gastrointestinal upset. Less frequently, they can also cause a life-threatening allergic reaction VSports注册入口. .

Airborne Allergens (V体育2025版)

Airborne allergens are those that you breathe into your respiratory system. Seasonal allergies and hay fever fall under this category. These types of allergies usually result in nasal allergy symptoms (allergic rhinitis) and/or eye symptoms (allergic conjunctivitis). V体育官网入口.

Common airborne allergens are:

• Pollen
• "VSports在线直播" Dust mites
• Pet dander
• Mold and mildew

Skin Allergens (V体育2025版)

Skin rashes are a typical response after allergens come into contact with your skin V体育2025版. These allergies are known as allergic contact dermatitis. Common allergens in this category include: .

• VSports - Nickel
• Latex (V体育安卓版)
• Plants
• Fragrances
• Topical medications
• Cosmetics

Food Allergens  

Food allergens can range from mild to severe. When they're severe, they can cause anaphylactic reactions, which can be fatal VSports.   .

Although it's possible to be allergic to any food, some foods are more common allergens than others. The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2021 adds sesame to a list of eight foods previously identified as major food allergens:

• Milk
• Eggs (V体育2025版)
• "VSports在线直播" Fish
• Shellfish
• Tree nuts
• "VSports最新版本" Peanuts
• Wheat
• VSports最新版本 - Soybeans

Medication Allergens

Drug allergens may cause skin rashes, wheezing, itching, and anaphylaxis. It's possible to have an allergic reaction to any medication. However, the most common drug allergens are:

• Penicillin and similar antibiotics
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as aspirin, Advil or Motrin, which are ibuprofens, or Aleve, which is a naproxen)
• Sulfa drugs (often used to treat urinary tract infections, bronchitis, or eye infections)
• Antiseizure medications (ASMs) (used to treat epileptic seizures)
• "VSports最新版本" Chemotherapy medication (used to kill cancer cells)

Symptoms

Exposure to allergens can result in a wide variety of symptoms. Pollen and other airborne allergies most commonly result in nasal and respiratory symptoms, while contact dermatitis often shows up as a skin rash. However, any allergen can cause any allergic symptoms.

Common allergy symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Congestion
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Cough (VSports app下载)
• Rash
• V体育2025版 - Headache
• VSports最新版本 - Nausea

Risks

Most of the time, allergens are a nuisance. However, exposure to them can result in more serious complications. Some risks of allergen exposure are:

• Asthma: This is a chronic lung condition in which the lungs react by closing when exposed to certain triggers. Having allergies is a known risk factor for developing asthma. 
• Severe allergic reactions: These might occur when you're exposed to an allergen. In addition, anaphylaxis can occur rapidly and without warning.
• Chronic infections: Certain infections, like sinus infections, are more common in people with allergies.

"VSports手机版" Allergen Tests

Allergists usually perform allergen testing in their offices. They may perform skin tests or blood tests to diagnose your allergies.

• Skin test: These tests involve pricking or scraping the skin with an allergen to see if there's a reaction. Another variation of a skin test is an intradermal test, in which your healthcare provider injects a minimal amount of allergen under the skin with a small needle.
• Blood test: Drawing blood to test for antibodies is another method of checking for allergies.

VSports app下载 - Treatment

There is a wide variety of treatment options for exposure to allergens. The best treatment is to avoid the allergen. However, sometimes that's not possible or reasonable. Typical allergy treatments include:

• Avoiding triggers
• Oral antihistamines
• Nasal corticosteroids
• Eye drops
• Decongestants that can be used for a few day (not for long-term use)
• Oral corticosteroids might be recommended in extreme circumstances for a limited period
• Allergy shots