Allergy affects the lives of millions of people daily considering it is simply triggered by common dust, dander, pollens, and other airborne particles. Severe allergy in some cases are caused by food that people consume such as fish, peanut and other types of seafood. Usually, allergies can be temporarily treated by taking over-the-counter drugs such as anti-histamines. However, anti-histamines are only effective for controlling mild to moderate allergy. Severe allergy calls for urgent medical attention since a life-threatening situation known as anaphylaxis can happen. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening since its manifestation include constriction of air passageways which makes it very difficult to breathe. Also, blood pressure suddenly drops since anaphylaxis shocks the body’s system but it can also cause fatal damage to other parts of the body. The onset of symptoms like skin reactions like swelling, eczema, itching, vomiting and shortness of breath seems simple at first. Later on, the body reacts with violent spasms when the person cannot breathe anymore. The only rapid and possible treatment when the body goes into anaphylactic shock is a shot of epinephrine. However, this still requires urgent medical attention since a physician would be the only one to properly administer this treatment. Remarkably, severe allergy reactions happens only because the body’s immune system overreacts to itself.

Severe allergy can happen even if people are just exposed to traces of allergens. Limited exposure to allergens can also lead to anaphylaxis such as :

• OTC medications and prescriptions

• Sting of insects such as bees, wasps and fire ants

• Food and its by products such as peanut, soy, dairy and seafood

• Blood from transfusion• Rubber and latex

Aside from the given list, other allergens can also cause severe allergy depending on the body’s capacity to react to substances. It is imperative that people with severe allergy be careful in choosing food to eat especially when dining out since some restaurants may contain ingredients like peanut that can cause severe allergy. A slight exposure to pollen during changing of seasons can also trigger severe allergy so vacuuming and housecleaning is a way of prevention. In truth, severe allergy can be prevented or minimized. Just remember that allergy can be controlled when we are careful enough.