When Allergies Attack!
In recent news, a girl was rushed to the hospital because of her severe allergic reactions after eating an orange, an uncommon source of allergy. (More common sources include peanuts, milk and wheat as well as hays, pollen and dust, which can cause anywhere from mild to severe symptoms requiring urgent care).
According to the staff at Healthpointe, even when you apparently do not have a medical history of allergic reactions, you must know what the symptoms are, what to do in case these symptoms appear, and what to do in preventing allergic reactions. Your knowledge on the matter may save the life of a beloved family member or a friend, maybe even yourself.
What Are Allergies
Allergies are the immune system’s overreaction against the allergens. Keep in mind that your immune system is primarily responsible for fighting off infections brought by bacteria, viruses and fungi as well as allergens.
Healthcare experts classify allergies according to the following:
- Seasonal allergies usually involve grasses, weeds and pollens
- Perennial allergies lasting for 9 or more months in a year
- Chronic allergies typically involve mold and dust
- Food allergies; peanuts, milk and wheat
- Medicine allergies, such as in the case of certain antibiotics
- Insect venom allergies (bee, wasp and hornet stings)
- Animal allergies particularly to the hair of cats and dogs
You will even read about odd allergies to water including sweat, sex, sun, wood, and modern devices, among others. Regardless of the cause of allergic reactions, the affected individual must be attended to by a physician for proper action.
The Symptoms
Not all allergic reactions require urgent care, since many mild symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, congestion, watery eyes, headache, and fatigue, can be resolved with over-the-counter medicines. But exposure to certain allergens, such as peanut, insect stings, shellfish, and medications, can result in moderate to severe symptoms that can quickly worsen to life-threatening proportions.
Look out for a mix of the following symptoms when deciding whether allergic reactions require urgent care in an emergency room or a visit to the doctor’s office:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue
- Swelling of the hands or arms
- Pale, cold, moist skin or skin redness
- Blueness of skin including the lips or nail beds
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain including cramping
- Severe sweating
- Slurred speech
- Faintness, lightheadedness, or dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Heart palpitations
- Rapid or weak pulse rate
- Anxiety, fear, and apprehension
When you observe two or more of these symptoms after being exposed to a possible allergen, your best course of action is to get to an emergency room for proper medical treatment. You should not risk the health of an affected person just because the allergic reaction seems manageable; otherwise, the symptoms can worsen.
Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Anaheim, which is conveniently located by Fullerton, Placentia, Villa Park, Buena Park, Cypress, Cerritos, and Garden Grove. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit www.Healthpointe.net