The 13 types of allergies, their characteristics and symptoms

Our immune system is one of the most important when it comes to allowing us to survive, since thanks to it we are able to fight infections and problems derived from the invasion of microorganisms and substances with harmful potential coming from the environment.

However, this system sometimes reacts disproportionately and erroneously to stimulations that are not dangerous in principle, to which we become allergic. And what causes them or the type of reaction it generates can vary enormously.

It is because of that we can talk about a wide variety of types of allergies, which can be classified according to various criteria. Throughout this article we are going to show some of the main typologies, in addition to indicating some of the most frequent.

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What is an allergy?

We call allergy to a process of biological origin through which contact or consumption with a certain substance or element triggers a massive reaction of our immune system, the which identifies said element as a toxic or harmful substance to try to expel.

It is a response generated by a hypersensitization of our body towards the stimulus in question, which is called an allergen, and which causes our white blood cells synthesize antibodies to fight against this element. It must be borne in mind, however, that in order to properly speak of allergy it is necessary that we are facing a reaction generated by immediate contact with some type of exogenous substance, being otherwise before other types of hypersensitivity or disorder (although very similar).

Exposure to this allergen causes a reaction by our immune system disproportionate and excessive in relation to the real danger that the stimulus in question may pose, either because the stimulus to which it reacts or allergen is actually harmless for us or because the body reaction is disproportionate to the real danger it represents (such as the poison of a Bee).

Reactions to such exposure can have a wide variety of effects on the body that can range from mild (these being the most common) to fatal (in cases of untreated anaphylaxis to weather), being a health problem of the first order Although it is usually undervalued, it can have severe consequences or generate difficulties in the day-to-day life of those who suffer them.

In turn, allergies are one of the most common problems, being the usual cause of some very common conditions. common in the majority of the population and calculating that up to 40% of the population could suffer some type of allergy. As for what can generate it, a great variability of substances and stimuli can be found (some more frequent than others) that our immune systems can identify as dangerous, as well as the type of reaction or the route by which it can reach U.S. That is why we can talk about various types of allergies.

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1. Types of allergies according to the contact route

A possible way to classify allergies can be found in the medium through which the allergen comes into contact with the body. In this sense we find three main groups of allergies.

1.1. Inhalation allergies

It is understood as such that type of allergies in which the allergenic substance is introduced into our body through inhalation of air, by respiratory or nasal route. These are usually small particles of substances such as pollen, dust or mites.

1.2. Contact allergies

This type of allergies is what occurs when it is direct contact at a physical level with a substance that generates an allergic reaction. It is common for it to generate symptoms at the dermatological level and it is frequent for example in allergy to animals.

1.3. Ingestion allergies

Ingestion allergies are all those in which the immune system reacts in a virulent way by identifying a substance that we have consumed as a pathogen. It is one of the types of allergies that tends to have greater potential for serious injury and anaphylaxis. We usually talk about food or drug allergies.

1.4. Inoculation allergies

Similar to the previous one, in this case we are talking about substances that are introduced into our interior through routes such as intravenous. These are usually allergies to medications (including anesthesia) or drugs that are not consumed orally. It is probably the most dangerous of all, since the allergen enters the circulatory system directly and the reaction can be generalized throughout the body or in parts relevant to survival.

2. According to your symptoms

Another way to classify allergies can be found if we use the type of symptoms generated by exposure to the allergen as a differentiating criterion. In this sense, we can mainly find the following types of allergies.

2.1. Respiratory

Respiratory allergies are one of the most frequent types of allergies that exist, understood as those that generate an affectation at the level of the breathing process. Generally the problems are found in the lungs or in the airways, making it difficult to normal breathing of the subject and causing problems such as coughing, bronchial problems, asthma or wheezing when to breathe. It is usually caused by inhalation allergies, although it is not essential.

2.2. Cutaneous / dermatological

Together with respiratory allergies, they are the most common type of allergic reaction. It is common in contact allergies, but it also occurs often in ingestion or inoculation allergies. In this case, the most common type of symptomatology is the appearance of some type of skin rash, ulcer, sore, hives, eczema, or itching. This is the case of many dermatitis.

2.3. Nasal

Of the most visible, it is the type of allergic reaction that generates sneezing, runny nose or itchy nose. Often confused with colds or flu, it usually proceeds as do respiratory symptoms from inhaling the allergen.

2.4. Eyepieces

Conjunctivitis, lacrimation and ocular beak are allergic reactions at the ocular level that usually appear in the presence of allergens that come into contact with our eyes.

2.5. Digestive

Another type of allergic reaction is digestive, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, inflammation or other gastrointestinal problems. It is common with food allergies, although they also appear in other types of allergies.

3. Three frequent varieties according to the moment or place of exhibition

In addition to the above types of allergies, we can also find three very common varieties in depending on the type of situation, moment or specific place in which the contact with the allergen.

3.1. Seasonal allergy

Seasonal allergies are a highly known and very common type of allergy, in which the stimulus to which one is allergic has a tendency to appear at a certain time or period of the year. One of the most obvious examples is pollen allergy, which tends to be more difficult in the spring.

3.2. Food

Food allergies are a group of allergies whose peculiarity is the fact that the The allergen in question is a product or substance that can generally be consumed by humans and what can be nutritionally beneficial, but that in the person in question triggers a dangerous reaction with fatal potential.

It is possible that there was a period of time in which the subject could eat the product in question normally, before he acquired an allergy. Among them we find allergies such as that produced by nuts or shellfish.

3.3. Medicated

This type of allergy refers to the presence of an extreme and adverse reaction on the part of the system immune to a priori substances designed to heal us or help us overcome some type of ailment or disease. It is one of the most dangerous types and that requires extreme care when choosing and administering drugs, since it can aggravate the patient's situation or even lead to death.

3.4. Occupational

We call an occupational allergy the type of allergic disorder or alteration generated by some type of stimulus from our occupation or work environment. This type of allergy can appear by any means of contact or manifest itself in different ways, although the most common is its appearance by respiratory or skin route, and what is defining is that it is generated by some substance of the workplace.

An example could be the appearance of an allergy in workers who carry out the manipulation of chemicals or food in factories or during investigations, being in continuous contact with allergens.

Some of the most frequent

As we have said, there is a wide variety of stimuli that can trigger an allergy, since allergy depends on what and how our own immune system becomes hypersensitive: there are them from as common as allergy to grasses to others as unusual as allergy to semen or even to water. In order to conclude this article, we will look at four of the most common allergies.

Pollen

One of the most common allergies and generally seasonal in nature is the one that has as an allergen pollen from certain plants. It usually causes nasal problems, headaches and problems breathing normally.

To mites

Some small creatures highly frequent in places like our beds and sheets, usually generate respiratory and nasal problems. It is also often associated with dust.

Food

Although in this case we are including a fairly broad category, we have deemed it necessary to include it given the high prevalence of food allergies in general. Highlight allergy to nuts, shellfish allergy, dairy allergy (important not to confuse with intolerance, which is not the same) or allergy to exotic fruits.

To animal dander

Causing respiratory problems and also with the possibility of generating dermatological problems, allergy to dander in animals with hair is one of the most common. Fortunately for those who, despite being allergic, want to take care of a pet, there are animals whose fur or lack thereof makes it difficult for dander or other substances to exist allergens.

Bibliographic references:

• Gaitano Garcia, A. (s.f.). Allergy for nursing. Basic manual of allergology.
• Pawankar, R.; Canonica, G.W.; Holgate, S.T. and Lockey, R.F. (2011). WAO White Paper on Allergy. Executive Summary. World Allergy Organization.