Allergiesare an immune system reaction to substances calledallergens.
The cause a range of symptoms from a stuffy nose to itchy eyes to difficulty breathing.
This article will discuss the different types of allergies and how long they last.
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It will also cover factors that impact allergy duration.
The information below discusses the bang out of allergic reaction and the amount of time the reaction can last.
Food Allergy
Food allergy symptomstypically begin a few minutes or two hours after someone eats or drinks.
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This phenomenon is called a biphasic reaction.
Symptoms may last for a few minutes up to a couple of days.
It typically occurs within minutes of eating a fruit or vegetable.
People with seasonal allergies can experience symptoms for the entire time that they are exposed to the allergen.
Anaphylactic Allergic Reaction
Ananaphylacticallergic reactionis a severe, whole-body allergic reaction.
It occurs within seconds to minutes of contact with an allergen.
The symptoms ofanaphylaxiswill peak within 30 minutes of exposure to the allergen.
The symptoms can continue to last for many hours.
Skin Allergy
Allergiccontact dermatitisis a skin reaction to contact from an allergen.
The allergic reaction typically occurs one to two days after exposure.
The reaction causes arashthat can continue to be seen for weeks after the allergen is removed.
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Immediate vs.
Delayed Allergic Reactions
There are fourhypersensitivity classifications: types 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Types 1, 2, and 3 are immediate hypersensitivity reactions that occur soon after an allergen exposure.
pop in 4 is classified as delayed hypersensitivity reactions that occur 24 hours or longer after allergen exposure.
The most immediate reaction is a jot down 1 hypersensitivity reaction.
It triggers when the body producesimmunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodiesto an allergen.
IgE also can produce anaphylaxis, in which the entire body reacts to an allergen.
throw in 4 hypersensitivity is the second most common throw in of reaction.
This jot down of reaction takes two days or more to develop.
An example of this reaction is a rash to poison ivy.
This is a rare reaction and takes anywhere from two to 24 hours to develop.
Examples of pop in 2 reactions areerythroblastosis fetalis,Goodpasture syndrome, andautoimmune anemias.
throw in 3 is an immune-complex disease and is not typically described as an allergy.
While it usually develops over several days to weeks, symptoms can sometimes appear within just a few hours.
Examples of key in 3 reactions aresystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)andreactive arthritis.
However, these terms all have unique meanings.
Intolerance is usually used in reference tofood intolerance.
This is when the body has a difficult time digesting a certain food.
This causes people to feel sick or have an upset stomach.
An example of this is lactose intolerance.
An allergic reaction is a clinical syndrome that is animmune systemresponse to an allergen.
Ways to Shorten Allergic Reaction Time
There are several ways to shorten an allergic reaction.
The first step is to find out what is causing the allergy and remove it.
In some cases, like seasonal allergies, this is not always possible.
The next step to shorten an allergic reaction is to treat it with medication.
There are many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines available to manage allergies.
If this is a new allergy, talk to a healthcare provider about the best treatment plan.
Treatments may include:
Epinephrineis used for an anaphylactic allergic reaction.
After using the epinephrine, seek medical attention right away as the effects wear off within 20 minutes.
Anaphylaxis can return, so further treatment and observation will be necessary.
Summary
Allergies can be bothersome or even life-threatening.
It’s best to avoid triggers to keep symptoms away.
However, that is not always possible.
In these cases, there are several medications available to reduce symptoms and decrease the duration of allergies.
Always talk to a healthcare provider before starting a new medication or when a new allergy arises.
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