4 of the Most Common Types of Allergies

When it comes to allergies, the list of symptoms is a long one. They can range from red, itchy eyes, to a runny nose, to sneezing, to swelling, and more. And if you’re among the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, you know how frustrating it can be when you don’t know exactly what’s causing your symptoms. 

To help you uncover the cause of your symptoms and get lasting relief, Syed Farhat Zaidi, MD, and Saba Jafri, MD, offer in-house allergy testing and treatment at Integrative Primary Care in Houston. 

If you’re ready to get to the bottom of your allergy symptoms, read on to learn what causes allergies, what some of the most common types are, and how we can help you get relief.   

Understanding allergies

Allergies are the result of your immune system treating harmless particles — called allergens — as hostile invaders. When you have an allergic reaction, your body releases chemicals called histamines to help fight off the allergen. 

It’s the release of these chemicals that causes your allergy symptoms, which vary based on the type of allergen that caused it. Some common allergy symptoms include: 

• Red, itchy, or watery eyes
• Itchy or runny nose
• Post-nasal drip
• Sneezing, wheezing, or coughing
• Headaches
• Skin itchiness
• Swelling in the mouth and airways
• Fatigue 

If your allergy is severe, you can have a life-threatening allergic reaction. This reaction, called anaphylaxis, causes you to go into shock and typically occurs very soon after your exposure. Symptoms can include narrowing of the airways, weak pulse, digestive symptoms, skin rash, and cramps. 

If you experience anaphylaxis, you need immediate medical care. If you don’t have an epinephrine pen on you, go to the emergency room for urgent medical care when symptoms develop.  

Most common types of allergies

While there are numerous allergens, or allergy triggers — which are the specific particles and substances that trigger allergic reactions — there are four categories that many common allergy triggers fit under. These categories are environmental, food, insect, and skin allergies:

1. Environmental allergies

Also called indoor and outdoor allergies, environmental allergies include seasonal allergies, hay fever, nasal allergies, and swelling of the sinuses in response to triggers found in the environment. Many people who have environmental allergies react to multiple allergens, including:

• Pollen (tree, grass, weed, flower)
• Mold spores
• Dust mites
• Pet dander

These allergens may also cause eye allergies, which can cause burning, swollen eyelids, watery eyes, and feeling like you have sand, dirt, or grit in your eyes. 

2. Food allergies

Food allergies affect about 32 million Americans, but eight foods are the cause behind almost all of these allergic reactions. These foods are the following:

• Milk
• Wheat
• Eggs
• Soy
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Fish
• Shellfish

In children, milk, eggs, and peanuts are the most common allergens, while adults struggle the most with shellfish allergies. 

3. Insect allergies

Allergies to insects affect about 5% of Americans and are the most common trigger of an anaphylactic response, along with some food allergies and allergies to latex and medication. Some of the more common insect allergens include the following:

• Wasp stings
• Bee stings
• Ant bites
• Allergies to cockroaches   

4. Skin allergies

An allergic reaction that appears in your skin is called a skin allergy. Skin allergies can cause a number of reactions, such as hives and skin inflammation. Many things can trigger a skin reaction, but some of the more common allergens include the following:

• Poisonous plants
• Latex
• Dust
• Dander

How we treat allergies

At Integrative Primary Care, we can help you manage your allergy symptoms based on the allergies you have. Since there’s no way to cure allergies, we work to help you keep symptoms under control.  

Dr. Zaidi and Dr. Jafri specialize in determining the sources of allergies by using in-house allergy blood testing. Based on your diagnosis, our team may recommend any of the following treatment options:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter antihistamines
• Epinephrine pens
• Trigger-avoidance therapies  

Are you ready to get control over your allergies? We can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Integrative Primary Care today.