{"id":24485,"date":"2023-10-10T10:22:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T17:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/?p=24485"},"modified":"2024-06-28T12:30:53","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T19:30:53","slug":"allergies-causes-symptoms-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/allergies-causes-symptoms-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Allergies Can Begin at Any Age"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"article\">\n\t<header class=\"header\">\n\t\t<span class=\"type\"><\/span>\t\t<h1>Allergies Can Begin at Any Age<\/h1>\t\t<time>October 10, 2023<\/time>\n\t<\/header>\n\t<div id=\"block_348c8054c11bda82473c584ea0334ab9\" class=\"shs-block block-news-article entry-content\">\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<p>Many are familiar with the itchy eyes and sneezes of allergies. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the United States, affecting 100 million people each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Oregon, allergies are common, thanks to our mild climate and some of our beautiful trees and grasses, causing year-round problems for some residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-does-an-allergy-start\">How Does an Allergy Start?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The body\u2019s immune system has the important task of protecting the body from unknown intruders. As the immune system encounters these intruders, it creates antibodies to fight them off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen a person develops an allergy, the immune system identifies a particular allergen, such as pollen, as a threat, even though it isn\u2019t to most people. Then, when that person touches or inhales pollen, their immune system reacts as if under attack, resulting in allergy symptoms like itchy eyes and runny nose,\u201d said <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/patients-visitors\/find-a-doctor\/loranger-austin-1952857591\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Austin Loranger, MD<\/a>, of <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/find-a-location\/samaritan-medical-group-pulmonology-corvallis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Samaritan Medical Group Pulmonology \u2013 Corvallis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-allergies-can-begin-at-any-age\">Allergies Can Begin at Any Age<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOften, we first notice an allergy early in life, and sometimes, kids outgrow those allergies, but they can also be a lifelong problem,\u201d noted Dr. Loranger. \u201cConsequently, it is possible to develop allergies at any age.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Genetics play a role in allergies. Environment too, as certain areas of the country or certain times of the year can prompt a rise in allergens that cause difficulty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen a person moves to a new area, for instance, they may suddenly develop allergies because of their exposure to a new allergen \u2013 a different kind of tree or plant, perhaps,\u201d Dr. Loranger said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-common-allergens\">Common Allergens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the AAFA, there are seven common allergens in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pollen<\/strong> \u2013 Small granules that travel on the wind from plants, trees, grasses and weeds, pollen is a common trigger for seasonal allergies in spring, summer and fall, and in some areas like the Pacific Northwest, winter also.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Food<\/strong> \u2013 The AAFA says that more than 20 million adults and children in the U.S. have food allergies to common foods, such as cow\u2019s milk, soy, nuts, eggs, shellfish and wheat. Others may experience reactions or intolerance to foods like lactose, gluten or sulfites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pets<\/strong> \u2013 A person can be allergic to pets of all kinds, from dogs and cats to birds and horses. The common allergen is the protein found in the pet\u2019s dead skin cells (dander), saliva and urine, commonly found in fur, hair and feathers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insects<\/strong> \u2013 While most people who are stung or bitten by an insect (bees, mosquitos) will have mild reactions like pain or itching at the site of <a class=\"null\" href=\"https:\/\/www.samhealth.org\/about-samaritan\/news-search\/2019\/08\/13\/ease-the-pain-of-bee-stings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the sting<\/a> or bite, for those who are allergic to these insects, the symptoms can be life-threatening. The excrement of household pests that neither sting nor bite (dust mites, cockroaches) can also trigger allergies in people.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mold<\/strong> \u2013 Mold can grow on just about anything when moisture is present and produces spores that carry through the air and can be inhaled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Latex<\/strong> \u2013 A protein found in the sap of rubber trees grown in Africa and Southeast Asia, latex is a common ingredient in many products, such as balloons, rubber household gloves, medical gloves, condoms and contraceptives, dental products, bandages, foam mattresses and more. Allergy symptoms most commonly occur when a person comes into skin contact with latex.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Medications<\/strong> \u2013 Allergy-like symptoms to a medication are referred to as \u201cadverse reactions to drugs.\u201d A true drug allergy is rare.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-common-allergy-symptoms\">Common Allergy Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Allergy symptoms \u2013 even to the same allergen \u2013 can differ from person to person, ranging from mild to life-threatening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Runny or stuffy nose.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Itchy, watery eyes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sneezing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Coughing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hives or skin rash.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tingling or itching in the mouth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swelling of lips, tongue, throat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wheezing or trouble breathing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-symptoms-become-severe\">When Symptoms Become Severe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMost people who struggle with allergies experience the more common symptoms. However, it is possible to have a severe allergic reaction requiring immediate medical response. If you have allergies, it is important to understand anaphylaxis and prepare for it, just in case,\u201d Dr. Loranger said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnaphylaxis happens when the immune system floods the body with chemicals in reaction to an allergen, sending the body into shock. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, swelling, a rapid, weak pulse, skin rash or drop in blood pressure, all of which can lead to serious complications, if not treated with epinephrine (Epi pen) as quickly as possible,\u201d explained Dr. Loranger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-treatment-for-allergies\">Treatment for Allergies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe most effective way to prevent allergies is to avoid the allergen \u2013 stop eating the food, for example, or limit time around the pet \u2013 but that isn\u2019t possible with all allergens,\u201d Dr. Loranger said. \u201cTreatment then, is mostly about <a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/common-allergic-reactions-and-treatment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">managing symptoms<\/a>, usually with over-the-counter antihistamines and\/or prescription medication.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In some cases, immunotherapy may be needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cImmunotherapy involves exposing the immune system to small amounts of the allergen by injections or drops, and then gradually increasing that exposure amount over time until the immune system recognizes the allergen as not dangerous,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Loranger explained. Dr. Loranger recommends seeing your primary care provider, especially if your allergy symptoms seem to worsen over time, or if remedies that previously worked no longer do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere are many reliable medications to treat allergy symptoms, and if one doesn\u2019t work for you another might, so I suggest you seek help from your doctor rather than suffer,\u201d Dr. Loranger said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To find a primary care provider or clinic near you, visit samhealth.org.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/patients-visitors\/find-a-doctor\/loranger-austin-1952857591\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Austin Loranger, MD<\/a>, sees patients at Samaritan Medical Group Pulmonology \u2013 Corvallis. He can be reached at <a class=\"phone-link\" href=\"tel:541-768-1261\">541-768-1261<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/find-relief-from-seasonal-allergies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get tips<\/a> for relieving seasonal allergies.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<aside>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/hives-urticaria-on-back-CO.jpg\" class=\"attachment-cta size-cta wp-post-image\" alt=\"A close up of a woman&#039;s back with hives on her skin.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/hives-urticaria-on-back-CO.jpg 360w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/hives-urticaria-on-back-CO-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/hives-urticaria-on-back-CO-120x100.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><figcaption>Hives (or urticaria) can include itching and swelling of the skin into raised welts called wheals. These can spread and join together forming large patches of raised skin. If you notice your allergic response worsening over time, it\u2019s important to tell your provider.<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mechanism-of-allergic-response-CO.jpg\" class=\"attachment-cta size-cta\" alt=\"Illustration showing the mechanism of allergic response.\" \/><figcaption>The immune system responds to an antigen by signaling mast cells, found throughout the body, to release histamine. In turn, histamine boosts blood flow in these areas causing inflammation and excess mucus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\t\t<\/aside>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Austin Loranger, respiratory specialist with Samaritan Medical Group Pulmonology \u2013 Corvallis, provides insight on allergies and when to seek medical advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":25938,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_shs_workflow_notes":"","_shs_exclude_from_navigation":false,"_shs_promote_article_on_blogs":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"news-topics":[293],"news-types":[270],"services":[260],"specialty":[85],"class_list":["post-24485","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","news-topics-wellness","news-types-feature-article","services-pulmonary-care-rehabilitation","specialty-pulmonology"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24485","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24485"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24485\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24485"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24485"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24485"},{"taxonomy":"news-topics","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-topics?post=24485"},{"taxonomy":"news-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-types?post=24485"},{"taxonomy":"services","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/services?post=24485"},{"taxonomy":"specialty","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specialty?post=24485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}