How to deal with allergic reactions on summer vacation

Needing to rush off the beach to the hospital due to an allergic attack can be a vacation nightmare, especially for those with children. Allergic reactions can be difficult to predict and you tend to be more exposed to them during summer and holiday travel. What can be done, many times, is to be alert to anticipate and seek the nearest health service as soon as the first symptoms appear.

An allergic reaction can be understood as a hypersensitivity reaction of the immune system to contact with a substance.

Clóvis Galvão, an allergist and immunologist at the USP School of Medicine, explains that the body recognizes that compound as an aggressor and creates an exaggerated defense reaction, with harmful symptoms.

The summer heat and the escape from routine, which leads to contact with new environments and substances, can increase the risk of an allergic reaction. “In the summer, we are more exposed to certain factors, such as insect bites, the use of different cosmetics and unusual food”, says Galvão.

What can cause allergies?

In general, it is not possible to say what may or may not cause an allergy, as this depends on each person’s organism. However, there are some compounds that are more commonly allergenic.

This is the case with seafood, which is often not part of everyday food. Milk, eggs, soy and nuts are other potentially allergenic foods. According to Galvão, about 70% to 80% of food allergies can be attributed to them.

Cosmetic products such as sunscreen, makeup, and moisturizers can also cause skin allergies called contact dermatitis. During vacations and exposure to the sun, occurrences may intensify due to the tendency to use a greater variety of products than on a daily basis, and also because some substances are exposed to the sun when they should not.

Insect bites are another common trigger of allergic reactions. In the case of sucking insects, people are often allergic to compounds in their saliva, and reactions tend to be limited to the skin, without generating serious conditions.

Stinging insects, such as bees and wasps, tend to cause more severe reactions due to contact with the venom. Galvão reports that, in these cases, treatment with vaccines can be performed after exposure, to prevent further occurrences. However, this is not a preventive treatment and it is not widely available to the population either.

How to avoid allergic reactions?

Allergic reactions are difficult to avoid, as there is no way to predict what might trigger someone to have an allergic reaction before exposure to that compound. Some people may even develop allergies to substances they previously consumed without showing any symptoms.

Alex Lacerda, member of the scientific department of Anaphylaxis of the Brazilian Association of Allergy and Immunology, says that there may be a hereditary factor, but this is not definitive. “We don’t recommend avoiding that substance just because the parents are allergic, unless there are any suspicious symptoms.”

When you already have confirmation of the allergy, the important thing is to avoid contact with that compound and maintain follow-up with the specialist, to have an action plan in case of exposure, which will vary for each person.

However, when no allergy is known, it is not necessary to avoid any compound. What you can do is look for safer options. In the case of cosmetics, for example, it is recommended to use products from established brands, dermatologically tested and approved by Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency).

What to do in case of allergic reaction?

The most important thing to deal with a possible allergic reaction is to be aware of the first signs. Redness, swelling and itching are quite common manifestations. Lacerda points out that it is important to look for a health unit as soon as possible when noticing these symptoms, especially when they appear and increase quickly.

The progression of an allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis. This condition is characterized by the presence of symptoms in more than one organ. In some cases, there is airway compromise and cardiovascular symptoms, eventually resulting in anaphylactic shock—a sudden drop in blood pressure that can be fatal.

Treatment of an allergic reaction can be done with corticosteroids, antihistamines and adrenaline injection. However, self-medication is not recommended. “There are several types of allergic reaction mechanisms”, warns Lacerda.

Each of these mechanisms is treated differently, and incorrect medication can lead to a worsening of the condition. The popular antihistamine pills — better known as antiallergic pills — do not treat contact dermatitis, for example. Therefore, it is important that a health professional identify the reaction to recommend the correct treatment.