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There are a number of different allergy-causing substances. The most common include pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander, insect stings, latex and certain food and medication. If you have an allergy your symptoms can range from mild eye irritation and congestion to a more severe reaction causing generalized swelling and difficulty breathing.

And, if you have asthma, a reaction to any offending allergy-causing substance can worsen your asthma symptoms. Still there are steps you can take to prevent and treat allergy attacks when they occur.

Pollen

Exposure to pollen can trigger hay fever or seasonal allergies. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy, watery eyes. Treatments include over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines such as Benadryl, Clarinex or Allegra, decongestants like Sudafed, nasal steroids like Beconase and Flonase, and drugs that combine antihistamines and decongestants like Allegra-D, Claritin-D or Zyrtec-D. Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, are also an option.

Prevent hay fever symptoms by staying indoors when pollen counts are high, closing windows, and using air conditioning.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in house dust. House dust is a mixture of potentially allergenic materials including fibers from different fabrics, dander from animals, bacteria, mold or fungus spores, food particles, bits of plants and others. Symptoms of dust mite allergy are similar to pollen allergy but often occur year round rather than just seasonally. Treatment may include medications such as antihistamines or decongestants.

Help prevent dust mite allergy by putting plastic covers over mattresses, using hypoallergenic pillows, washing sheets weekly in hot water and keeping all areas of the house, especially the bedroom, free of dust collecting stuffed animals, curtains, and carpet.

Molds

Molds are parasitic, microscopic fungi with spores that float in the air like pollen. It is a common trigger for allergies and can be found in damp areas such as basements or bathrooms, as well as in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch or under mushrooms. Symptoms of mold allergies can occur seasonally, especially in the summer and fall or year round if mold is in your home. The symptoms are similar to those of pollen and dust mite allergies and include sneezing, congestion, itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, and coughing. Treatments are the same as those for dust mites or pollen.

Help prevent mold allergies by avoiding activities that trigger symptoms, such as raking leaves. Keep windows and doors closed, and make sure moist places in the home, such as the basement and bathrooms, are well ventilated.

Animal Dander and Cockroaches

Proteins secreted by oil glands in an animal's skin, as well as the proteins present in an animal's saliva, can cause allergic reactions in some people. Allergies to animals can take two or more years to develop and symptoms may not subside until months after ending contact with the animal. Symptoms include sneezing, congestion, and itchy and watery eyes. Treatments include avoiding exposure to animals that cause your allergies when possible. Medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroids or others may be helpful. Immunotherapy may be recommended if your symptoms are chronic.

Cockroaches can cause similar symptoms. The treatments are the same.

Help prevent allergies to pet dander by removing the pet from the home, or at least the bedroom. Keep pets off upholstered furniture and wash the pet weekly. Cockroach allergy prevention includes keeping trash in closed containers and taking it out regularly.

Insect Stings

Everyone who gets stung by an insect will have pain, swelling and redness around the sting site. However, people who are allergic to stings can have a severe or even life-threatening reaction. Symptoms of insect sting allergy include extensive swelling and redness from the sting or bite that may last a week or more, nausea, fatigue, and low-grade fever. On rare occasions, insect stings may cause a full-body allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face, throat or mouth, wheezing or difficulty swallowing, restlessness and anxiety, rapid pulse, dizziness, or a sharp drop in blood pressure. For people who are severely allergic to insect stings, the medicine epinephrine should be administered soon after being stung to prevent the development of a life-threatening situation.

Prevention is the best treatment. Minimize exposure to insects by not wearing brightly colored clothes and scented cosmetics and by keeping insecticide available, wearing shoes outdoors, and avoiding outdoor garbage. If you do get stung, remove the stinger. If you are at risk of anaphylaxis, get an epinephrine injection immediately. An oral antihistamine, like Benadryl, may be taken to reduce itching, swelling, and hives, and a pain-reliever may be taken and ice pack used to dull pain caused by the sting. Occasionally corticosteroid medicines are used to decrease swelling and inflammation.

Allergy shots to prevent insect sting allergies are also available.

Insects that cause allergic reactions include various bees, fire ants, yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps.