Causes

Food Allergies

Food allergy symptoms are most common in babies and children, but they can appear at any age and range from mild to severe. 18

These eight types of food account for majority of allergic reactions: 17,18

Eggs Eggs
Milk Milk
Peanuts Peanuts
Peanuts Tree nuts
Fish Fish
Shellfish Shell Fish
Wheat Wheat
Food Soy Soy

INDOOR ALLERGIES

Indoor allergens often cause allergic rhinitis or asthma. Your doctor can help in determination of severity

and cause of the problem. The best defence is to avoid the allergens that cause your symptoms.11, 20, 21, 22

The most common indoor allergens are : 20, 21


Indoor Dust Mites Dust-mites
Indoor Pets Pets
Indoor Dust Mites Mold
Chemical Allergies Chemicals
Perfume Allergies Perfume

OUTDOOR ALLERGIES

These are the most common outdoor allergies 21,22,23


Outdoor Pollen

Pollen:

Tree pollen often causes seasonal allergic rhinitis in early spring.


Outdoor Air Pollutants

Air Pollutants:

As solid and liquid particles suspended in air. Common in high-traffic areas.


Indoor Dust Mites

Molds:

These are fungi whose spores float in the air.


ALLERGIC DISORDERS

Allergic Rhinitis (Hay fever):

Common symptoms:25

Runny Nose

Runny Nose

Itchy eyes

Itchy eyes,

mouth or skin

Sneezing

Sneezing

Stuffy Nose

Stuffy Nose

What triggers hay fever?

Although the name suggests it, you don’t have to be

exposed to hay to experience its allergic symptoms.

 Some common other triggers include:25


  • Pet hair
  • Dust mites
  • Mold
  • Cigarette smoke

  • Perfume
  • Diesel Exhaust
  • Pollen

The two types of Allergic rhinitis: 25

 


Seasonal

Usually caused by symptoms of sensitivity to

airborne mold spores or pollen, seasonal Allergic

Rhinitis can occur in spring, summer and early fall.


 Perennial

People with perennial Allergic Rhinitis experience

symptoms year-round. It is generally caused by dust

mites, pet hair or dander, cockroaches or mold.


Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma:

The connection between the allergic rhinitis and asthma had been known for centuries, although they are treated

as separate disorders due to specializations in medicine. Many times an individual may suffer from both these airway

disorders at the same time, and uncontrolled allergic rhinitis can lead to worsening of co-existing asthma. It is important

to effectively manage allergic rhinitis, as effective treatment of nasal disease have shown benefits in preventing the development of asthma, and on existing asthma symptoms. 26,27

Hives12

    Hives, also known as Urticaria, can be triggered by many substances or situations and usually starts

 as an itchy patch of skin that turns into swollen red welts.

       Common symptoms of Hives:

  • Raised itchy bumps, either red or white

 

  • Welts that vary in size, change shape, and appear and fade

            repeatedly as the reaction runs its course


     What triggers Hives? 12,28

  • Food like peanuts, eggs, nuts, cheese and shellfish
  • Pet dander
  • Medications, such as antibiotics (penicillin and sulfa), aspirin and ibuprofen
  • Insect stings or bites
  • Physical stimuli, such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise or sun exposure
  • Blood transfusions
  • Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and strep throat
  • Viral infections, including the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and hepatitis
  • Pollen
  • Plants, such as poison oak and poison ivy

MORE TO LEARN

Allergies vs Cold Learn More
Allergies Can Happen
Helpful Tips for Parent
Travelling With Allergies