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What are the risk factors and causes of allergy?
There is a genetic component to most allergies, which means allergies are hereditary and passed to children from their parents. The child inherits the tendency to be allergic, but not to any specific allergen. If a child develops an allergy, it is likely that at least one parent of the child also has allergies. Another recently identified risk factor that appears to contribute to the development of allergy is the act of being exposed to allergens at certain times when the body's defenses are low or weak, such as after a viral infection or during pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of allergy?
There is no single allergy symptom.
Allergy Symptom List
- Symptoms of allergic rhinitis occur when allergens touch the lining of the nose. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by congestion, itching and discharge from the nose and itchy, watery eyes.
- Symptoms of dermatitis result from exposure of the skin to an allergen. Allergy symptoms include itching, reddening, and flaking or peeling of the skin.
- Symptoms of urticaria or hives are characterized by itchy red bumps that can occur in clumps on the skin that can be either large or small. Hives are often triggered by infection, certain foods or medications. Foods commonly associated with hives include nuts, tomatoes, shellfish and berries. Medications commonly associated with hives include penicillin, sulfa, anti-seizure medications, and aspirin.
- Symptoms of asthma include coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing.
- Symptoms of food allergy may have severe and possibly life-threatening and include anaphylaxis and hives.
- Symptoms of anaphylaxis include a feeling of warmth, flushing, tingling in the mouth or a red, itchy rash. Other symptoms may include feelings of light-headedness, shortness of breath, severe sneezing, anxiety, stomach or uterine cramps, and/or vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, patients may experience a drop in blood pressure. Anaphylaxis can be fatal.
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