An allergy occurs when your body’s immune system sees a particular substance as harmful. What are the types of allergies? It reacts by causing an allergic reaction. Substances that cause allergic reactions are allergens.
There are many types of allergies. Some allergies are seasonal and others last year-round. Some allergies can last a lifetime.
It is important to work with your doctor to come up with a plan for managing your allergy. Avoiding your allergen is the best way to prevent an allergic reaction.
What are the Types of Allergies?
Drug Allergy
True allergies to medications occur only in a small number of people. Most drug reactions are not allergic, but are side effects of the properties of the drug. Diagnosis of the cause of the drug reaction is usually based solely on the patient’s history and symptoms. Sometimes a skin test is done for drug allergy.
Food Allergy
There are different types of allergic reactions to foods. There are differences between IgE mediated allergies, non-IgE mediated allergies and food intolerances.
Insect Allergy
Bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and fire ants are the most common stinging insects that cause an allergic reaction.
Insects that do not sting can also cause allergic reactions. The most common are cockroaches and insect-like dust mites. Allergy to these two insects may be the most common cause of year-round allergies and asthma.
Latex Allergy
Latex allergy is an allergic reaction to natural rubber latex. Natural rubber latex gloves, balloons, condoms and other natural rubber products contain latex. Latex allergy can pose a serious health risk.
Mold Allergy
Mold is a fungus. Since mushrooms grow in many places both indoors and outdoors, allergic reactions can occur throughout the year.
Pet Allergy
Allergies to fur pets are common. It is important to know that there is no allergy-free (hypoallergenic) dog or cat breed.
Pollen allergy
Pollen is one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies. Many people know pollen allergy as “hay fever,” but experts often call it “seasonal allergic rhinitis.”
The widest of these allergies are food allergies, because allergies to almost all vegetables and fruits can be seen. The most dangerous are again food and drug allergies, because of the risks of life-threatening anaphylaxis.
