Patient Information | Types of Allergens | Testing Options | Allergy Treatment

Allergens can be anywhere — indoors, outdoors, at work, at home, in our food, and in our air! Only by being aware of your surroundings can you take steps to avoid some allergic triggers. Allergens are generally grouped into eight major categories, which are described below.

Everyone can relate to being allergic to the family dog or cat, but other animals including rodents, fowl, and large farm animals can trigger allergy symptoms as well. Your doctor may test for an animal’s dander (small skin flakes), hair, feathers, or secretions/excretions.

The most common allergic reactions to drugs are those to the penicillins and related drugs. True drug allergies can cause severe symptoms including itching, hives (urticaria), airway obstruction (difficulty in breathing), fainting and anaphylaxis.

Dust mites are tiny, microscopic organisms that feed on the skin flakes shed by humans and other animals. The mites are found in bedding and are a component of dust along with animal dander and other airborne allergens.

True food allergy is an immune system-mediated response to the foods we ingest. Symptoms may include reactions in skin, respiratory tract, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, eyes, and oral tissues. In the most serious cases, which are most often associated with peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish, symptoms may include difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis. Reactions generally occur within minutes to hours. Food allergy should be distinguished from food intolerance, which may present similar symptoms, but is not an immunological reaction.

Probably the best-known insect allergy is to bees. However, a variety of insects may provoke an allergic response.

Molds represent a group of airborne allergens, many of which are present year-round in the home or other indoor environments. Seasonally, mold spores may “bloom” following rainy or humid periods, resulting in increased concentrations in the air.

Occupational allergens are those you might encounter in your workplace. Farmers may be sensitive to dusts associated with threshing or milling or animal feeds. Manufacturers of furniture may be sensitive to the various woods with which they work, while those who make and use detergents may be allergic to the enzymes added to these cleaning agents. Healthcare workers and patients may become allergic to latex rubber through frequent exposure to latex used in gloves, tubing and other applications.

Pollens are perhaps the largest group of airborne allergens and include pollens from grasses, weeds and trees. Most often, these allergens trigger the symptoms of “hay fever.”