Other Allergy Types

Around 5% of India's total population suffers from some form of allergies*. An allergy doesn't end with pollen , dust , mold , food , pets or pollution . Allergies can occur when your body’s immune system reacts to even some of the common harmless substances around you. Here are some more forms of allergies that you need to be aware of.

Drug allergy

Just like any other allergies, a drug allergy occurs when your body’s immune system becomes sensitized to a harmless substance in medicines and mistakes it as a foreign invader. However, don’t mistake a medicine’s side effects for an allergy. Some medicines are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than others. Some of the most common allergy-prone medications are painkillers, antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A drug allergy is one of the most difficult allergies to test in allergy diagnosis.

Latex allergy

Latex is a milky fluid found in many plants which is blended with chemicals during manufacturing to gain elasticity. Natural rubber latex (made with the fluids from rubber plant) is mostly found in rubber gloves, condoms, rubber bands, erasers, balloons and toys. The symptoms for latex allergy can range from mild to severe depending on the level of exposure and the person suffering from them. The symptoms may include itchiness, skin redness, rash, sneezing, runny nose, irritated eyes and wheezing or coughing. Though rarely fatal, a latex allergy can also result in anaphylaxis, which can prove to be very dangerous.

Insect allergy

While many of us may only experience mild pain or swelling at the spot of an insect bite/sting, an allergic individual can experience painful and severe reactions. In some extreme cases, it can even result in life-threatening anaphylaxis. Bees, hornets, wasps, yellow-jackets and fire ants are some of the most common insects with allergenic stings. The common symptoms of an insect allergy are, like other allergies, skin rash, itchiness, swelling of lips, tongue or throat, dizziness, vomiting, etc.

Chemical allergy

Does your favourite fairness cream leave your face red and scaly? Does the detergent you use to wash your clothes make your hand itch, or burn? If yes then chances are you have a chemical allergy. They may smell heavenly, or feel silky on your skin, but each product you use packs some heavy amount of chemicals. The most common symptom of a chemical allergy is contact dermatitis which is present in the form of red, itchy rashes on the skin’s surface. Other symptoms may include blisters, swelling of the eyes and the face, intense burning sensation, and cracked skin.