Branch | What are allergies?
Imagine your body as a bustling city filled with hardworking workers and helpful security guards. Everything runs smoothly until unwanted intruders, disguised as harmless substances, try to invade the city. These sneaky intruders are called allergens. They can be like mischievous pranksters, trying to disrupt the peace in your body. When your body encounters these allergens, it's as if the security guards mistakenly sound the alarm and activate a frenzy of defense mechanisms. They start producing special chemicals called histamines, which act like little messengers spreading the news of the invasion.
The histamines cause chaos and make things go haywire. Your nose might start running like a leaky faucet, and your eyes may water like a never-ending waterfall. Itchy sensations may take over your skin, as if a bunch of ants are tickling you. Your body goes into high alert, fighting a battle against harmless substances, just like brave soldiers defending their city from imaginary enemies. This is essentially what allergies do to your body. Harmless proteins found in allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, pollen, etc.) cause your body to release tons of histamine, a chemical that triggers a cascade of inflammatory responses in various tissues and organs, leading to the characteristic symptoms of an allergic reaction. Luckily, if you understand what happens when you undergo an allergic reaction, it can be easier to overcome and recover from one if one happens to you.
Leaves | Overcoming an allergic reaction
Since allergies are so well-researched, we understand most of the bodily processes that happen when we undergo an allergic reaction. Here are the 4 most common ways people overcome allergic reactions or even eliminate the allergy entirely.
Antihistamines: Antihistamines work by blocking the action of histamines, the chemicals released during an allergic reaction. They help relieve symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and watery eyes by reducing the effects of histamines on the body. The most common antihistamines that you can buy over the counter are:
Claritin
Zyrtec
Allegra
Benadryl
While all of these antihistamines share similar properties, they all differ slightly, so it is important to see which solution works best for your body and needs.
americanprofile.com Nasal Corticosteroids: Nasal corticosteroids are medications that reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. They work by suppressing the immune response and reducing the release of inflammatory substances, providing relief from nasal congestion, itching, and sneezing. Some common Nasal Corticosteroids include:
Flonase
Rhinocort
Nasonex
Nasacort
Epinephrine (EpiPen): Epinephrine is a life-saving medication used in severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis. It works by constricting blood vessels, opening up airways, and reducing swelling. Epinephrine acts quickly to reverse the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction but should only be used in extreme emergencies. EpiPens should only be injected into the middle of your outer thigh (upper leg), through clothing if necessary.
jjkellercompliancenetwork.com Allergen Immunotherapy: Allergen immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots, is a long-term treatment option for allergies. It works by exposing the body to small amounts of the allergen over time, gradually building up tolerance. This process helps the immune system become less reactive to the allergen, reducing the severity of allergic symptoms.
Conclusion
While allergies can seem like a completely negative thing, the underlying message that they represent is important and overlooked; our bodies are marvels of protection. Every time someone experiences an allergic reaction, while they may feel itchy, tired, or swollen, they can also be assured that their body is working its hardest to keep them safe. For in the realm of allergies, better to be safe than sorry, honoring the resilience and dedication of our extraordinary defenses.