What is Allergy? - Basis Clinic

Allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction to common things in our surroundings. Allergies, often inherited, are the immune system reacting to something- eaten, touched, or inhaled that doesn’t affect most other people. If you have an allergy, your immune system mistakes an otherwise harmless substance as an infection causing invader. This substance is called an allergen. The immune system overreacts to the allergen by producing Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. This reaction leads to symptoms that often adversely affect your work, play, sleep, and overall quality of life. Common allergens that trigger allergies in people are plant pollens, dust, animal dander and molds.

What are the symptoms of Ear, Nose And Throat Allergies?

People often think of allergy as only “hay fever,” with sneezing, runny nose, nasal stuffiness and itchy, watery eyes. However, allergies can also cause symptoms such as chronic “sinus” problems, excess nasal and throat drainage (postnasal drip), head congestion, frequent colds, hoarse voice, eczema (skin allergies), recurring ear infections, hearing loss, dizziness, chronic cough and asthma. Even stomach and intestinal problems as well as excessive fatigue can be symptoms of allergy.

Symptoms of ear, nose, and throat allergies may include:

Repeated sneezing
Nasal itching and rubbing
Nasal congestion-Runny nose
Dark circles under the eyes
Crease across bridge of nose
Frequent throat clearing
Mouth breathing-Diminished/lost sense of smell/taste
Recurrent, unexplained nosebleeds-Recurrent ear infections
Recurrent sinus infections
Fluctuating hearing loss
Cold-like symptoms more than 10 days
Symptoms recur same time each year
Chronic fatigue

Symptoms can range from minor to severe. The greater the frequency and/or amount of exposure, the greater the chance that the susceptible person will develop an allergic problem that will require treatment.

What causes Symptoms to Begin?

There is no “usual” way for an allergy to begin; the onset may be sudden or gradual. Often, symptoms develop following an unusual stress to the immune symptom, such as a severe viral infection.

Can an Allergy be Outgrown? No, but it is common for people to change the way their allergic symptoms affect them. For example, a baby may develop colic, recurrent ear infections, or have eczema, but as it grows older, it may develop different allergic symptoms such as hay fever, fluid behind the eardrum, or asthma.

How do we Make the Diagnosis?

The initial diagnosis of allergy is based on the history and physical examination. To be certain of the diagnosis and proceed to treat the patient effectively, the findings are confirmed by tests that identify the specific allergens.