What are and types of allergens - allergens

What are they?

Allergens are the substances responsible for allergic reactions as a result of a response of the immune system to their presence in the body.

Types of allergens: There are different types of allergens depending on their nature, and they can be classified as follows:

• Environmental: These are allergens transported in the air itself and usually affect through the respiratory tract. Among the most common are pollen, especially present during the spring season, dust mites and mold, typical of enclosed spaces, and mites of animal origin from hair and skin remains. These types of allergens usually cause allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and other respiratory symptoms such as nasal itching.

• Food: There are a significant number of foods that can produce an allergic reaction in case of ingestion.

Among them, the following stand out:

• Milk and milk derivatives

• Eggs

• Nuts and dried fruits

• Seafood and fish

• Soybeans

• Wheat

Food allergens can cause a wide range of symptoms, including vomiting, skin reactions or even respiratory problems. The law is strict about food labeling in order to avoid food allergic reactions. It is important to check product labels to avoid scares.

Intradermal: These are allergens generally related to insect stings. In Spain, wasps and bees are insects whose stings can cause a severe allergic reaction. The symptoms of this type of allergens can reach anaphylaxis, producing a constriction of the respiratory tract and affecting the whole organism.

Contact: Some people may suffer an allergic reaction to direct contact with certain materials such as latex, cosmetics or metals used in jewelry making. The reaction usually affects the area of the body that has come into contact with the allergen, and may spread and increase in severity if exposure is prolonged.

Pharmacological: Corresponds to drugs that can produce an allergic reaction in some individuals. Reactions usually involve the appearance of hives and rashes, which may occur instantly or after some time has elapsed since being treated with the responsible drug. Learn more about the different types of allergies according to the allergen responsible for the reaction.