What Causes an Allergic Reaction?
Many different substances can cause an allergic reaction, such as foods, ingredients in medications, and environmental elements.
You could also have a contact reaction from something that touches your skin. Somebody who has very sensitive skin might have an issue with a perfume, deodorant or soap that can cause a localized allergic reaction.
How Do You Know If You’re Having an Allergic Reaction?
Many times, people will start to notice the development of a rash, known as hives.
Hives are red welts on the skin that are itchy, sometimes the size of a nickel or a quarter. Some people also might feel a little scratchiness in their throat or tingling on their lips. These are typical mild allergic reaction symptoms.
When Does a Reaction Become Serious?
When bodily systems other than the skin are affected, the reaction becomes severe. For example, if you start with a scratchiness in your throat—but then it develops into wheezing and you’re having trouble breathing, it’s time to seek medical attention. Gastrointestinal upset is also another sign, such as cramping or diarrhea.
If there are other physical symptoms in conjunction with a rash, that’s a medical emergency that needs immediate treatment. These symptoms may be signs of anaphylaxis, which can cause anaphylactic shock and may be fatal. Anaphylactic symptoms are:
- rash
- abdominal cramping and diarrhea
- feeling lightheaded or faint
- breathing difficulties – such as fast, shallow breathing or wheezing
- clammy skin
- a fast heartbeat
- confusion and anxiety
- collapsing or losing consciousness
If you have any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room.
Treatment for Allergic Reactions
Mild symptoms are typically treated with over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl, or other brands of diphenhydramine. Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Allegra (fexofenadine) work well for environmental allergies, like when people experience hay fever. However, they often aren’t as effective when somebody is having an allergic reaction.
Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical System advise that diphenhydramine is the best choice when treating a mild allergic reaction. Topical steroids, like cortisone creams, are also helpful for contact allergic reactions. On the bottle or tube, look for “cortisone 10” or “hydrocortisone.” It is important to note those products have the same purpose and the same ingredients. They will help with some of the localized allergic response, like swelling or itchiness at the site.
In the case of a more severe reaction (e.g., peanut allergy, bee sting) an EpiPen may be prescribed to help with symptoms until emergency care can be secured.
If someone is having an allergic reaction and isn’t sure what to do, an urgent care clinic is a good place to start. If they are having trouble breathing, gastrointestinal distress or loss of consciousness, call 9-1-1 immediately. Find a University of Maryland Urgent Care clinic near you.
Preventing Allergic Reactions
Prevention is of the utmost importance when it comes to allergies. One of the best preventive measures is to know what you’re allergic to and try to avoid those materials.
If you see possible symptoms and are unsure, you can seek allergy testing either through your primary care doctor or an allergist to try to identify what those triggers are. This testing can provide patients with a roadmap of foods, substances or products to avoid and a plan of action.
Listen to a Podcast about Allergic Reactions
To listen to an in-depth conversation on this topic with Scott Burger, DO, Interim Chief Medical Officer of University of Maryland Urgent Care, listen to the podcast below, download on your favorite streaming station or listen at https://radiomd.com/umms/item/45955.
More to Read
- How to Know if You’re Having an Allergic Reaction to Antibiotics
- Contact Dermatitis: Is Your Laundry Detergent Causing a Skin Rash?
- When Is Allergy Season? That Depends on Your Allergy
- 8 Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
