You know what we hate? That seasonal moment when our eyes water and our noses get drippy from beautiful blossoms and freshly mowed lawns. For others, it may be an unseemly skin irritation or throat tickle. Some people even struggle while visiting a friend who has carpet in their home or a furry pet.
What’s the sitch?
Common allergy symptoms vary from person to person. However some of us may share physical triggers that cause symptoms that we don’t even realize are allergic reactions.
So, what are some of these allergy-causers? From plants to foods, you might be surprised.
But first, we must understand how our body react to allergies.
Allergy and the Body’s Response
Allergies are not rare, and chances are you and/or someone you know has at least one. Allergens are objects/substance that threaten your body’s immune system.
But you might be thinking….a tiny speck of cat hair is a threat to me?
Well, funny story…sometimes our bodies can misinterpret what’s actually a danger to us. Meaning: an object doesn’t need to pose a threat to us for our bodies to recognize it as one.
Before you get mad at your immune response system, know that it is doing it’s BEST to try and protect you – in a mad, toxic world. It is relentlessly adapting to your environment, ensuring that outside threats don’t knock out your defenses.
The severity of this sort of knee-jerk depends on the individual, and may even depend on the type of allergy.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), symptoms can include:
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes, mouth or skin
- stuffy nose/congestion
- red and watery eyes/swelling
Other allergens have been known to cause:
- wheezing and shortness of breath
- rashes/skin reactions
- nausea, vomiting or indigestion/stomach issues
- hay fever
With so many symptoms, just how many allergens exist? Well, quite a few!
Let’s investigate a few common culprits.
Plants and Pollen
One of the most common allergens is plant pollen. You might roll your eyes when you hear someone ask “what’s today’s pollen count?” But for others, this number is actually pretty important.
Pollen are little plant grains that get caught in the wind, blowing anywhere and everywhere — we cannot even see them! This is a common way for plants to fertilize other plants of the same species. It’s the circle of life!
Theoretically, you can be allergic to one type of plant pollen or many. This condition is sometimes referred to as “hay fever.”
Some plants also product resin, a sticky, organic substance. Resin from plants like poison ivy or poison oak have also been known to stir up allergic reactions.
Animals are another source of common allergens. Pet dander can often leave people with runny noses or watery eyes.
But our four legged, cuddly friends are not the only source of allergens. They can also come from things much smaller and more creepy-crawley.
For example, dust mite waste and even roaches can flare up symptoms. Gross!
Commonly, insect stings from bees, wasps and mosquitoes can be far more than just minor pains, they can cause allergic reactions like skin conditions or even sickness, too.
Medications and Drugs
If you’ve ever been prescribed a medication, a doctor might have asked if you were allergic to anything first. That’s because our bodies can have negative reactions due to allergies!
For example, antibiotics (containing sulfonamides) and Penicillin are common triggers.
And it gets worse.
Drug allergies can trigger anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening condition where your body can go into shock. So scary!
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, people can be allergic to common medications, such as:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Chemotherapy drugs
Food can be so good, but we also know it can be so bad. And we don’t just mean foods pumped with GMOs!
Unfortunately. some of our favorite foods can also be allergens. Some of the most common food allergens include wheat, nut milk, shellfish and eggs.
Now, it is important to mention that food allergies are not necessarily the same as food intolerance.
For example, a person might avoid wheat because their body cannot tolerate one of the bread’s main components, gluten. This means their body cannot process gluten, which will cause adverse effects.
A gluten allergen could signal similar symptoms, but they are not the same thing.
Allergens that come from different sources can include:
- mold and airborne spores
- metal, such as nickel
What Can You Do?
Allergies can be a hassle. Make sure your immune system is prepared. Arm yourself with our NEW Allergy Reduction Pack!
The product pack supports the body’s ability to absorb nutrients better and promotes healthy immune function, to help protect against allergies. Enjoy the benefits of some of Purium’s best:
- Aloe Digest
- Enzyme Advantage
- Green Spectrum
Another excellent product to help protect your gut: Biome Medic.