Allergies affect millions of people across the United States. They occur when your immune system reacts to a substance that it mistakenly identifies as harmful. These substances are known as allergens, and they can be found in many everyday products, from food to the air we breathe.
At our Allergy Resource Hub, we’re here to help you understand the most common allergens, the difference between allergens and sensitivities, and how to manage them effectively.
Allergens are substances that cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitized to them. This reaction occurs when your immune system overreacts to a harmless substance, triggering symptoms such as sneezing, swelling, difficulty breathing, and skin rashes.
Common allergens can come from many sources and affect different parts of the body—respiratory, skin, or digestive systems. They can be seasonal or year-round, depending on the type of allergen.
Alpha Gal is a sugar (galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose) found in most mammals with the exception of humans, apes, and monkeys. Alpha-gal can be found in many products made from mammals including some medications, cosmetics, vaccines, gelatin, and milk products. Although it was
Pollen: One of the most common seasonal allergens, pollen is released by trees, grasses, and weeds. Common triggers include ragweed, birch, cedar, and oak trees. Pollen can travel for miles, affecting those with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Dust Mites:
Peanuts: One of the most common and potentially life-threatening food allergens, peanut allergies often appear in childhood. Tree Nuts: Includes almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, and more. People allergic to tree nuts must avoid all varieties, as cross-contamination is common. Dairy:
Bee and Wasp Stings: An allergic reaction to insect stings can be life-threatening for some individuals. This includes reactions to the venom from bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets. Ants: Fire ants, in particular, can cause severe allergic reactions. Their
Penicillin and Antibiotics: Many people have allergic reactions to medications, particularly antibiotics like penicillin. Reactions can range from mild rashes to severe anaphylaxis. Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These include medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, which can cause allergic reactions in
While allergies and sensitivities share similar symptoms, they are distinct conditions. Here’s how they differ:
In short, while both conditions can cause discomfort, allergies can lead to more serious health risks, including anaphylaxis, while sensitivities are often milder.
Symptoms
Allergic reactions can manifest in a variety of ways. Skin symptoms may include tingling or itching around the mouth, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Other common symptoms include wheezing, nasal congestion, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and fainting. Respiratory symptoms may include shortness of breath, coughing, hoarseness, and chest tightness, while cardiovascular reactions can involve irregular pulse and changes in blood pressure. Nervous system symptoms can include anxiety and confusion.
Medical Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose allergies using skin tests or blood tests.
Medical Treatment
The most effective way to manage allergies is by avoiding known triggers. Antihistamines are often used to treat mild reactions, though they may cause drowsiness. For more severe allergies, steroids may be prescribed. Epinephrine injections, like the EpiPen, are crucial for treating anaphylactic shock.
How We Can Help
Acupuncture has long been used to alleviate allergy symptoms, and at our center, we offer a distinctive treatment developed by Dr. Nader Soliman. His patented Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT) is a revolutionary acupuncture approach that uses a single needle and only one treatment per allergen. This method has proven to be exceptionally effective in providing relief from allergy symptoms, surpassing all other known acupuncture techniques.
