Adolescent Allergies: Understanding and Management
Allergies occur when the immune system reacts abnormally to substances that are usually harmless to most people. When someone is allergic to something, their immune system mistakenly believes that the substance is harmful to the body. These substances, known as allergens, can include dust, food, plant pollen, and medication, among others. The immune system produces antibodies to protect the body from these allergens. These antibodies cause certain cells in the body to release chemicals, including histamine, which trigger allergic reaction symptoms in various parts of the body, such as the nose, eyes, skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Exposure to the same allergen in the future can trigger the same response.
Allergic reactions can range from mild symptoms, such as a runny nose, to more severe ones, such as difficulty breathing. Adolescents with asthma may experience allergic reactions to cold temperatures, leading to an asthma attack. Some allergies can trigger multiple symptoms. In rare cases, allergic reactions can result in a severe response known as anaphylaxis, which can cause difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, swelling in the tongue, lips, and throat, and dizziness. Anaphylaxis occurs as soon as the body is exposed to substances that trigger allergic reactions, such as peanuts, although some reactions can be delayed by up to four hours.
The causes of allergies can vary, and while genetics can play a role, it does not mean that children are bound to inherit allergies from their parents. Common allergens include food, airborne particles, insect bites and stings, medicines, and chemicals. Food allergies typically occur in infants and usually disappear as the child grows. The most common food allergens include milk and dairy products, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, and seafood. Some people are allergic to certain insect bites or stings, and the venom in the bite can cause a reaction as serious as anaphylaxis in some teens. Environmental allergens, such as dust mites, animal dander, mold spores, grass pollens, trees, and ragweed, are the most common allergens. Some adolescents are allergic to certain antibiotic medications, while others may experience reactions to chemicals present in laundry detergents or cosmetics, resulting in itchy rashes.
Allergists are the medical professionals who typically treat allergic problems. They may ask about symptoms and family history and perform diagnostic tests, such as blood or skin tests, depending on the type of allergy. The best way to manage allergies is to avoid the substances that trigger them altogether. However, medications and injections are available to help manage symptoms.
There are certain things that adolescents can do to avoid allergies, such as avoiding foods containing peanuts or other allergens, and avoiding cosmetics containing chemicals that their skin is allergic to. To avoid airborne allergies, they can keep pets in restricted areas away from the bedroom, replace carpets and rugs frequently, avoid keeping things that accumulate dust, and clean the room and house frequently. By understanding their allergies and managing them effectively, adolescents can live healthy, active lives without the discomfort of allergic reactions.
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