Most Common Allergies

Allergies and their causes and symptoms can vary dramatically from person to person. However, there are a few substances or allergens which many people seem to be, or become, allergic to.

Allergies caused by dust mites

This is the most common type of allergy and can be hard to deal with. Dust mites thrive on warmth and humidity and therefore breed quickly in the majority of households. It is impossible to get rid of them completely, regardless of how frequently you clean. Mattresses in particular tend to be a problem, with one bed often containing around 2 million dust mites.

This allergy is caused by you inhaling mite faeces and it irritating the respiratory tract provoking breathing problems and therefore asthma. It is also possible for you to have an allergic reaction by your skin coming into contact with it.

Pollen allergies

This type of allergy is mainly seasonal, with many people being prone to hay fever. It is the second most common allergy and occurs when people come into contact with pollen from trees, grass and weeds.

Allergies to food and drink

There are certain foods which are often the cause of allergic reactions for many. These include wheat, fish (particularly shellfish), soy, milk, eggs, nuts (especially peanuts) and citrus fruits. Many people also have or develop an intolerance to certain food colourings and/or preservatives.

Because of the variety of different foods and drinks we consume nowadays, it can often be difficult to isolate the specific cause or causes of an allergic reaction. For this reason, if you think you may have a food allergy, it is best to go and have an in-depth consultation and allergy test with a professional allergist. Indeed, many people find from these tests that they have not only a main food allergy, but also a slight intolerance to some other foods. By minimising your intake of these, it can be possible to eliminate less obvious symptoms of very minor allergic reactions such as bloating, headaches and stomachaches. With food allergies it is usually best to just cut the food causing the reaction out of your diet, rather than trying to use medication, etc.

Allergies to medicines

The most typical of these for people to be allergic to are penicillin, certain anaesthetics and antibiotics.

Pet allergies

Many people either have or develop an allergy towards household pets, particularly dogs and cats. Horses can also cause an allergic reaction to occur in people who are susceptible to it. The problem is mainly as a result of the hair and dander of the pet. As this type of allergies tends to affect the respiratory system, people with asthma tend to be highly susceptible to having or developing a pet allergy.

Allergies to insect bites

The most common within this category are probably allergic reactions to bee and wasp stings.

Skin contact allergies

This covers a range of allergens. People frequently have a reaction to cosmetics and hair dying products. The severity of the reaction can vary greatly and, for many, is restricted to only certain types or brands of these. Similarly, certain toiletries and jewellery cause many people problems. Some types of washing powder can also provoke an allergic reaction. Many people suffer from an allergy to latex.

These types of allergies are usually relatively easy to identify, as their symptoms would typically be a red and/or itchy rash at the site of contact.

Allergies to mould

Mould and mould spores cause many people to have an allergic reaction. Mould thrives in damp conditions and is typically found in the soil of houseplants, walls and window seals. The bathroom and anywhere condensation often gathers is likely to have, if not mould, mould spores.

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