As per the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 100 million people in the U.S. experience various types of allergies, and nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults have a seasonal allergy, eczema, or food allergy.
What is the rarest allergy in the US? Let’s hear some stats before everything.
- In 2021, 81 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
- Contact allergies affect about 1 in 5 people.
- About 16 million U.S. adults have food allergies.
- 4.3% of the g population has a latex allergy.
- Approximately 72 deaths occur each year in the United States due to insect sting anaphylaxis.
The statistics are evidence that allergies are a lot more common than we think and a lot more fatal than we know. What is the rarest allergy, is one of the major questions that we are going to address in this blog. Also, we want to target different home remedies and ways to take care of each type of allergy.
In this article
Understanding the Biology of Allergies
Allergies are the reaction to substances that are non-threatening to the majority of people due to one’s active immune system. The term for these substances is “allergens”, the allergens can trigger the immune response in individuals who are allergic to them.
The immune system of people with allergies mistakenly perceives these allergens as threats to the body and releases a chemical called histamine. This response can cause symptoms (mild to severe) depending upon the individual. There are many common allergens, such as pollens, dust mites, nuts, insects, and medications, and no matter how common, allergies can be fatal varying from person to person.
In this blog, we are going to discuss some of the rarest allergies known to medical science.
What is the rarest allergy in the US?
In this section, we’re figuring out what is the rarest allergy. It can be exhausting for people with such rare allergies.
Aquagenic Urticaria (Swimmer’s Itch)
It is an extreme condition that involves an allergy to water, or also known as Swimmer’s itch. In this condition, a person develops painful and itchy hives all over the body whenever they come in contact with water. There aren’t any effective treatments for this allergy except limiting the skin’s exposure to water.
How to take care of the allergy:
The itchy rash may last for up to two weeks. You must avoid disturbing the affected area in anyway. Do not itch, or trigger it, since it may cause more infection. Also, to help relieve symptoms, use corticosteroid cream, apply cool compresses or baking soda paste to the affected area, or bathe in Epsom salts or baking soda.
Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity
An allergy in which an individual is allergic to protein found in semen. This rare allergy can cause a reaction to any area that has come in contact with semen, though the most common areas are the genitals. Symptoms include hives, swelling of the lips and tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness, diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting. In severe cases of seminal plasma hypersensitivity, one can experience shortness of breath or can lose consciousness.
How to take care of the allergy:
You must always consult your doctor before trying any remedy for rare allergies. However, using an antihistamine (such as Benadryl®) before sex can help.
Wheat Allergy
Many times wheat allergy is confused with celiac allergy. A wheat allergy occurs when a person is allergic to the proteins found in wheat whereas in celiac a person is allergic to specific protein “gluten” causing different reactions in the body.
Symptoms include hives, swelling, indigestion, stuffy nose, running nose, Anaphylaxis, inflammation, rashes, and stomach cramps.
How to take care of the allergy:
Take a non-drowsy antihistamine, such as loratadine (Claritin), as your doctor recommends. Be safe with medicines. However, in case of sever allergy, give yourself an epinephrine shot. Keep it with you at all times. Also, you can wear medical alert jewellery that lists your allergies.
What is the rarest allergy in the US?
In case of emergency:
It is advisable to seek medical attention immediately in case of severe reaction to any of the fatal allergies. Many people who are exposed to allergies carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) for emergencies. These Epipens can be used for anaphylactic reactions until professional medical assistance arrives.
Towards the end, we hope you can answer what is the rarest allergy in the US and how to take care of it. In case of any other biological curiosities, you may need to contact your general physician.
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