Allergens, also known as allergy triggers, are found everywhere. In fact they are in the air we breathe, food we eat, and items we put on our skin or clothes. The trick is to recognize which allergens are the most offensive and minimize contact with foods, chemicals or locations where they are in abundance. To begin let’s take a closer look at the foods we eat, air we breathe and skin contact allergens.

Allergens We Ingest

Food allergies are perhaps one of the most common allergies that you’ll hear about. Though food allergies are common food isn’t the only place allergens hide. In fact there are allergens in prescription and over the counter medications, drinks and vitamins.

Even though allergens are found in so many consumable substances there are a few common foods and medications that lead to an allergic reaction. The usual foods and medicines that cause allergies include:

Drugs- These include Penicillin, Salicylates, Sulfonamides and local anesthesia.

Foods- Foods that have components which are oftentimes treated by the body as allergens are celery, corn, wheat, cow’s milk, legumes, eggs, pumpkin, soy, seafood, seashells, tree nuts, and sesame.

The substances we ingest often serve as the medium for the transference of allergens from outside the body into the bloodstream and internal organs. When the entry point of the allergens is the mouth the typical symptoms that arise are nausea, throat and tongue swelling, stomach cramps and diarrhea. Symptoms may also affect nasal breathing as well as the integrity of the skin.

Allergens We Breathe

There are four major allergens floating around in the air we breathe. Those include pollens, animal dander, mold spores, and dust mite particles. Common plant pollens that are suspect for causing hay fever, a type of allergy, can be categorized into three groups:

• grass pollens – timothy grass and ryegrass
• weed pollens – ragweed, nettle, plantago, sorrel and artemisia vulgaris
• tree pollens – birch, alder, wollow, poplar, olea and hornbeam

These allergens normally pass through the air conditioning and heating systems as well as through windows and doors while opened. Animal dander, mold, and dust mite particles already exist in your home as well as floating around in the air outside.

Skin Contact Allergens

Allergens that lead to a skin reaction are typically those that actually touch the skin. The allergen can be from rubbing a plant, insect bite or bee sting, chemicals, soaps, perfumes, and any other substance that touches the skin. Skin allergies could go possibly one of the longest lists of all allergens.

Though the list may be long common substances that induce allergic reactions are metals, latex, cosmetics, chemicals, substances from poisonous plants, insect bites and stings. An allergic reaction typically appears as a rash or hive on the skin that may itch.

If you effectively identify what your allergy triggers are and then effectively identify where they are most commonly found you’ll have more success in minimizing an allergic reaction.

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