Common Types of Allergic Reactions and Their Symptoms
Explore the various common allergy types affecting millions, including food, pollen, dust, and animal allergens. Learn their symptoms, triggers, and severity to better understand and manage allergic reactions effectively.
Popular Allergy Types and Signs
More than 50 million Americans experience allergic reactions to various substances, but allergies differ widely. Here’s a summary of prevalent allergy types and their typical symptoms:
Food Allergies
As per the CDC, food allergies impact over 6% of children and 4% of adults in the U.S. While most cases occur in young children, adults can develop new food allergies at any age. Key allergens include soy, wheat, shellfish, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, milk, and eggs, accounting for about 90% of food allergies, as reported by ACAAI.
Symptoms of food allergies may include:
Stomach cramps
Vomiting
Dizziness
Pale or bluish skin
Weak pulse and swelling of the tongue impacting breathing or speaking
Shock or collapse
Repetitive coughing
Wheezing
Throat tightness
Shortness of breath
Hives
Potential anaphylaxis, which can impair breathing and cause systemic shock
Reactions can sometimes manifest simultaneously in different body parts.Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)
This allergy affects about 50 million Americans and results in symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, irritations of the skin, mouth, and eyes.
It occurs when the immune system overreacts to environmental triggers such as pet dander, dust mites, pollen, mold spores, or weeds. Symptoms include fatigue, nasal congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes, skin, or mouth, even without exposure to hay.
Dust Sensitivity
Dust allergies activate symptoms during or immediately after dusting or cleaning. Common triggers include pet hair, mold, pollen, and dust mites, often leading to breathing difficulties, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing. Eye irritation and sneezing are also common.
Medication Sensitivities
If you develop rashes, hives, or breathing issues after taking certain drugs, you might have a drug allergy. Common culprits are antibiotics, NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aspirin, anticonvulsants, and sulfa drugs. Reactions vary from mild rashes to severe anaphylaxis, involving swelling and breathing problems.
Latex Allergy
Derived from natural rubber, latex allergy affects over 6% of Americans. It is common among healthcare workers and individuals with frequent surgeries. Symptoms include skin swelling, redness, hives, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
Allergic Reactions to Cosmetics
Chemical ingredients in beauty products can cause skin reactions such as redness, burning, swelling, itching, hives, or even anaphylaxis. Reactions may occur immediately or after prolonged use, often affecting the face, neck, ears, and lips.
Mold Allergies
Hundreds of mold species release spores into the air, causing symptoms similar to pollen allergies—sneezing, itchy throat, wheezing, cough, irritable eyes, and shortness of breath.
Cat Allergies
Over 10% of the U.S. population is allergic to cats, mainly due to allergens in saliva, fur, and skin flakes (dander). Symptoms range from skin rashes to breathing difficulties, including coughing, wheezing, nasal congestion, and facial pain due to sinus pressure.
Dog Allergies
If exposure to dogs causes wheezing, sneezing, or a runny nose, you may be allergic. Dog allergens are present in saliva, urine, dander, and fur. Reactions include skin rashes, breathing issues, nasal congestion, and coughing.
