Symptoms and anaphylaxis & Testing and trigger-based management

Symptoms and anaphylaxis

Reactions may cause sneezing, runny nose, itching, rash, or swelling and may involve asthma or other breathing problems. Severity ranges from mild to dangerous. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be fatal. The word allergy does not describe a predictable degree of seriousness. A mild nasal reaction and a severe widespread reaction require different clinical consideration, so an individual history matters more than a broad label.

Testing and trigger-based management

Skin and blood tests help investigate which substances may cause reactions. Management can involve avoidance, medicines, or allergy injections. Avoidance limits exposure, while other approaches address the allergic response. Tests and symptoms need context rather than assuming every sneeze or rash has the same cause. Because several triggers may coexist, useful care identifies relevant exposures and matches a strategy to the person’s allergies and reaction history.

Key concepts

Immune defenses responding to a false alarm

An allergy occurs when immune defenses react to a substance that does not trouble most people.

Inhaled, swallowed, and injected allergens

Pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and animal dander are common allergens.

Symptoms and anaphylaxis

Reactions may cause sneezing, runny nose, itching, rash, or swelling and may involve asthma or other breathing problems.

Testing and trigger-based management

Skin and blood tests help investigate which substances may cause reactions.

References

• MedlinePlus en español — Allergies and Immune Reactions