Air allergies are usually characterized by the appearance of a reaction on the skin after exposure to air with a certain temperature, pollution, or dust. Symptoms of allergies that appear can include redness, itching, swelling, and bumps on the skin.
Air allergies can happen to anyone, both children and adults. People who have air allergies will usually experience allergic reactions on the skin, such as skin bumps, rashes, and itching.
However, in certain cases, air allergies can also cause allergic symptoms in the respiratory tract, such as runny nose, coughing, and sneezing.
Allergic reactions that arise from air allergies are generally mild, but some people with air allergies can experience severe allergic reactions or dangerous anaphylactic shock.
Air Allergy Symptoms and Causes
The following are symptoms of an air allergy based on the cause:
Hot air allergy
An allergic reaction to hot air is called cholinergic urticaria. Allergic reactions to hot air will appear when body temperature increases, for example sweating. In addition, hot air allergies can also appear after exercising, taking hot showers, wearing tight clothing, and sweating due to stress or nervousness.
Symptoms that appear when experiencing heat allergies are small red bumps with reddish circles on the face, back, chest, and arms with an itching and burning sensation.
If you have a more severe reaction, you may experience a headache, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, stomach cramps, and an irregular heartbeat.
Cold air allergy
An allergy to cold air is usually referred to as cold urticaria. Cold air allergy symptoms are not much different from hot air allergies, namely redness of the skin with an itching and hot sensation after exposure to cold air or temperatures.
These symptoms usually appear a few minutes after exposure and can last for 1-2 hours.
Cold air allergies can also cause swelling in parts of the body that are exposed to cold temperatures, such as the lips after drinking cold water. You should also be aware of swelling of the tongue and throat because it can make it difficult for you to breathe.
Dirty air allergy
Exposure to dirty air or air that is polluted by pollution can cause allergic reactions in the body. Dirty air allergies can cause symptoms in the respiratory tract and skin. Sources of this dirty air can be in the form of smoke from factory waste, motor vehicles, cigarettes, and burning garbage and forests.
Cigarette smoke is a source of harmful pollution in the home that can increase the risk of allergies and asthma. The impact is also felt by infants and children with symptoms in the form of sneezing, runny nose, and frequent coughing and colds.
How to Overcome Air Allergies
The best treatment for air allergies is prevention. The following are some prevention of air allergies by cause that you can do:
Prevent hot air allergies
To prevent hot air allergies, there are several ways you can do, including:
- Dampen your skin with a cloth soaked in water or try a cool shower after your workout.
- Manage stress and find ways to calm yourself down.
- Wear loose clothing to prevent sweating.
- Use a fan or air conditioner to keep the room temperature cool.
Prevent cold air allergy
Here are some ways to prevent cold air allergies:
- Dip your hands or feet in the pool before swimming to see how your skin reacts.
- Avoid cold foods and drinks to prevent swelling of the tongue and throat.
- Take allergy relievers or antihistamines that have been prescribed by your doctor before exposure to cold air or temperatures.
Prevents dirty air allergies
In an effort to prevent allergic reactions when exposed to dirty air, such as pollution and dust, you can do the following:
- Use a protective face mask, such as an N95 mask or surgical mask.
- Avoid or avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.
- Move to a location that has cleaner air, if your area is exposed to smog due to forest fires until your air allergy symptoms subside.
Until now, there is no effective drug that can cure air allergies. However, you can overcome this by avoiding allergy triggers, keeping the air quality clean, and taking anti-allergic drugs that can prevent and treat the symptoms that appear.
If this air allergy persists and interferes with your daily activities, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.