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Recognize Symptoms and How to Overcome Air Allergies

Air allergies are usually characterized by skin reactions after exposure to certain temperatures or low-quality air. Symptoms that arise in the form of redness, itching, swelling, and bumps appear. Small reddish bumps or bumps on the skin can be an allergic reaction to certain ingredients, such as latex and detergents. But sometimes, these lumps can also arise due to exposure to hot, cold, or polluted air. Air allergy is interpreted as an immune reaction that appears after exposure to air with a certain temperature or low quality air. Allergic reactions that appear can be just itchy, but can also be a life-threatening reaction. An allergic reaction to hot air is called cholinergic urticaria, whereas a reaction to cold is known as cold urticaria. The reaction caused by each person can be different. Some only show mild symptoms, some are very sensitive to experience changes in blood pressure to shortness of breath and fainting. This reaction is called anaphylactic shock.

Symptoms of Air Allergy

Symptoms of air allergies appear when the skin is exposed to changes in air temperature, both hot and cold. In addition, water and wind temperatures can also cause symptoms.
  • Allergy to hot air

  • In hot air allergies, the skin reacts to heat and sweat when the body temperature rises. Besides being caused by hot air, allergies can also arise after exercising, taking a hot shower, wearing tight clothing, and when sweating due to stress or nervousness. Symptoms of a hot allergy are:
  • The skin feels itchy and warm.
  • A small red bump appears with a reddish circle around the lump. Lumps can appear on the face, back, chest, and arms. Lumps can appear close together so that it looks like swelling.
  • The above symptoms may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as headaches, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, stomach cramps, and irregular heartbeat if a more severe reaction occurs.
  • Allergy to cold air

  • Cold air allergy symptoms are not much different from hot air allergies, namely:
  • Reddish skin, feels warm, and itchy on the skin area.
  • Parts of the body that come into direct contact with air or cold objects will swell. For example hands swell after touching ice and lips swell after drinking cold water.
  • Extreme symptoms can cause fainting, palpitations, and swelling of the limbs. Swelling is most dangerous when it occurs on the tongue and throat, because it can cause breathing difficulties. Symptoms usually appear a few minutes after exposure and can last for 1-2 hours.
  • Dirty air polluted (polluted)

  • Exposure to dirty air (polluting) causes the body of some people to produce substances that trigger allergic reactions, as a form of the body's defense to fight these substances. In dirty air allergies, bodily reactions are more common in the respiratory organs than in the skin.
  • Plant exhausts, motor vehicles, and forest combustion are the main sources of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and pollution particles (PM) which are harmful to breathing. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide increases the risk of asthma and allergic attacks, especially for people who already have asthma. Research shows that the risk increases if a place to live is close to a busy highway.
  • The risk of dirty air allergies not only occurs outside the home, but also inside the house by becoming passive smokers. Cigarette smoke is the most dangerous source of pollution that can increase the risk of allergies and asthma. The impact of air pollution is also felt by many infants and children. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, and frequent cough colds.

How to Overcome Air Allergies

Allergy is an immune reaction against a foreign body. In air allergies, certain air temperatures are a trigger factor because the body overreacts to temperature changes. The best treatment for allergies is prevention.
  • Prevents cold air allergies

  • Protect skin from sudden changes in temperature. For example, before swimming, try dipping your hands or feet into the pool, then waiting for a skin reaction for a while.
  • Avoid cold foods and drinks to prevent swelling of the tongue and throat.
  • Take antihistamines before cold exposure, or hypo-allergenic drugs prescribed by your doctor.
  • Prevent hot air allergies

  • If symptoms appear after activity or exercise, wet your skin with a cloth soaked in water or try a cool shower.
  • If stress triggers allergies, manage stress and find ways to calm down.
  • Wear loose clothes so they don't get too hot.
  • Because Indonesia is a tropical country where hot temperatures occur most of the year, install fans or air conditioners to keep the room cool.
  • Prevents dirty air pollution (polluting)

  • Using a protective mask is one of the efforts to prevent dirty air allergies. There are two types of masks that can be used, namely N95 masks and ordinary masks (surgical masks).
  • Sometimes air pollution cannot be avoided, as in the case of forest fires. In addition to air allergies, haze from forest fires can cause eye irritation and respiratory infections. Under these conditions, you are advised to move to an area that does not experience a disaster or the air is cleaner, until symptoms subside.
There is no drug that can absolutely eliminate air allergies, but avoiding triggering factors, creating a clean environment, and taking anti-allergic drugs such as antihistamines, can prevent and treat symptoms that arise. If symptoms persist and interfere with daily activities, consult your doctor immediately.

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