Comprehensive Symptom Navigator

Skin Allergies

Symptoms:
red, itchy rash; swelling; blisters; hives; peeling skin

Root Cause:
Hypersensitivity reaction to allergens such as metals, plants, or chemicals.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, patch testing.

Treatment:
Avoidance of allergens, topical and systemic treatments for symptoms.

Medications:
Topical corticosteroids, oral antihistamines, emollients.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 20% of people at some point.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, exposure to known allergens.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with trigger avoidance and treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic dermatitis, secondary infections.

Food Allergies

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Category: Allergic and Immunological Conditions

Symptoms:
hives; swelling of lips, face, or tongue; abdominal pain; vomiting; diarrhea; itchy throat; anaphylaxis (severe cases)

Root Cause:
Immune system overreaction to specific proteins in foods (e.g., nuts, shellfish, eggs).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, skin prick testing, blood tests for specific IgE antibodies, oral food challenge (under supervision).

Treatment:
Avoidance of trigger foods, emergency treatment for severe reactions.

Medications:
Antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine ) for mild symptoms, epinephrine autoinjector for anaphylaxis.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 6–8% of children and 2–3% of adults globally.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, other allergies (e.g., asthma, eczema), early exposure to allergens.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with strict avoidance; children may outgrow some allergies.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anaphylaxis, nutritional deficiencies if dietary restrictions are poorly managed.

Drug Allergies

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Category: Allergic and Immunological Conditions

Symptoms:
rash; hives; itching; fever; swelling; difficulty breathing (in severe cases)

Root Cause:
Immune system overreaction to medications, such as antibiotics (e.g., penicillin) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, skin testing (e.g., penicillin allergy testing), graded drug challenge.

Treatment:
Discontinuation of the offending drug, supportive care, desensitization in some cases.

Medications:
Antihistamines, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ) for moderate reactions; epinephrine for anaphylaxis.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 5–10% of people exposed to medications.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous drug reactions, genetic predisposition, chronic illnesses.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with prompt management and avoidance of the trigger drug.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anaphylaxis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Anaphylaxis (Emergency Management)

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Category: Allergic and Immunological Conditions

Symptoms:
difficulty breathing; swelling of the throat or tongue; hives; severe hypotension; rapid or weak pulse; dizziness or fainting; nausea or vomiting

Root Cause:
Life-threatening systemic allergic reaction involving massive histamine release and widespread inflammation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical presentation during acute symptoms; no diagnostic tests needed during an emergency.

Treatment:
Immediate administration of epinephrine, airway management, IV fluids, observation in a hospital setting.

Medications:
Epinephrine autoinjector (first-line), antihistamines, corticosteroids (e.g., methylprednisolone ) for prolonged reactions.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 1–2% of the population; rising prevalence globally.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Food allergies, insect stings, drug allergies, prior anaphylaxis episodes.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with prompt treatment; delayed treatment increases risk of fatality.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cardiac arrest, airway obstruction, recurrent anaphylaxis (biphasic reaction).

Food allergies

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Immunologic and Rheumatologic Disorders

Sub-category: Allergic Disorders

Symptoms:
hives; swelling of lips, face, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain; anaphylaxis (severe, life-threatening allergic reaction)

Root Cause:
The immune system mistakenly identifies certain proteins in food as harmful and releases chemicals like histamine to protect the body, triggering an allergic reaction.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis typically involves a detailed medical history, skin prick tests, blood tests for allergen-specific IgE antibodies, and food challenge tests under medical supervision.

Treatment:
The main treatment is avoiding the allergenic food. In case of accidental exposure, antihistamines can be used for mild reactions, while epinephrine (adrenaline) is prescribed for severe reactions or anaphylaxis.

Medications:
Common medications include antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine , loratadine , which are antihistamines used to reduce allergic reactions) and epinephrine (e.g., epinephrine auto-injectors like EpiPen or Auvi-Q for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis). Antihistamines are classified as H1 receptor antagonists, and epinephrine is a sympathomimetic drug.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Food allergies affect about 8% of children, with some studies showing a growing trend in allergic reactions, especially to peanuts, eggs, milk, and shellfish.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of allergies, other allergic conditions (e.g., eczema or allergic rhinitis), early exposure to allergens, and living in urban areas with less exposure to diverse environmental microbes.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Many children outgrow food allergies as they age, though some food allergies (e.g., peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish) tend to persist into adulthood.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anaphylaxis, which can be fatal if untreated, chronic allergic reactions leading to eczema or other skin conditions, and the psychological impact of living with food restrictions.

Milk Allergy

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Food Allergies

Symptoms:
hives; vomiting; stomach cramps; diarrhea; wheezing; anaphylaxis in severe cases

Root Cause:
Immune system reaction to milk proteins, primarily casein or whey.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick testing, specific IgE blood tests, oral food challenges under medical supervision.

Treatment:
Complete avoidance of milk and milk-containing products, use of epinephrine for anaphylaxis.

Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q) for anaphylaxis and oral antihistamines (e.g., Diphenhydramine , Loratadine ) for mild reactions.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1-3% of children; often outgrown by adolescence.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of allergies, eczema, or asthma; early exposure to cow's milk proteins.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good for most children as they often outgrow it; lifelong management needed for persistent cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anaphylaxis, nutritional deficiencies if not replaced properly, social challenges.

Peanut Allergy

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Food Allergies

Symptoms:
hives; swelling; difficulty breathing; vomiting; anaphylaxis

Root Cause:
Immune system response to peanut proteins, particularly arachin and conarachin.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick tests, specific IgE blood tests, oral food challenge.

Treatment:
Avoidance of peanuts, epinephrine for anaphylaxis, oral immunotherapy under medical supervision.

Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q), antihistamines (e.g., Diphenhydramine , Cetirizine ), and oral immunotherapy (e.g., Palforzia in specific cases).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1-2% of the population; prevalence has been rising in recent decades.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, eczema, early or delayed introduction of peanuts in infancy.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Lifelong condition for many; emerging treatments like oral immunotherapy offer hope for desensitization.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe anaphylaxis, social and psychological impacts, dietary restrictions.

Shellfish Allergy

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Food Allergies

Symptoms:
hives; itching; swelling; wheezing or difficulty breathing; nausea or vomiting; anaphylaxis in severe cases

Root Cause:
Immune system reaction to proteins found in shellfish, such as tropomyosin.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick tests, specific IgE blood tests, oral food challenge under medical supervision.

Treatment:
Complete avoidance of shellfish, use of epinephrine for anaphylaxis, education on reading food labels.

Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q) and oral antihistamines (e.g., Diphenhydramine , Loratadine ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 2% of adults and 0.5% of children; more common in adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of allergies, previous allergic reactions to shellfish.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Rarely outgrown; lifelong management is typically necessary.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe anaphylaxis, cross-reactivity with other shellfish, dietary restrictions.

Fish Allergy

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Food Allergies

Symptoms:
hives; swelling; stomach pain; nausea; difficulty breathing; anaphylaxis

Root Cause:
Immune system reaction to fish proteins, such as parvalbumin.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick testing, specific IgE blood tests, oral food challenge.

Treatment:
Avoidance of fish, use of epinephrine for severe reactions, education on avoiding cross-contamination.

Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q) and oral antihistamines (e.g., Diphenhydramine , Cetirizine ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1% of the global population; more common in adults than children.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of allergies, prior reactions to fish, geographic dietary practices.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Rarely outgrown; lifelong avoidance is typically required.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anaphylaxis, cross-reactivity with other types of fish, limited dietary options in certain regions.

Wheat Allergy

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Food Allergies

Symptoms:
hives; swelling; nausea; vomiting; difficulty breathing; anaphylaxis

Root Cause:
Immune system reaction to proteins found in wheat, including gluten and albumin.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick tests, specific IgE blood tests, oral food challenge.

Treatment:
Avoidance of wheat products, substitution with gluten-free grains, use of epinephrine for severe reactions.

Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q) and oral antihistamines (e.g., Diphenhydramine , Loratadine ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 0.2-1% of children and adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of allergies, atopic conditions, prior allergic reactions to wheat.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Many children outgrow it by age 12; adults may need lifelong management.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anaphylaxis, misdiagnosis with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, limited dietary options.

Soy Allergy

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Food Allergies

Symptoms:
hives; itching; swelling; stomach pain; nausea or vomiting; anaphylaxis in severe cases

Root Cause:
Immune system reaction to proteins in soybeans, such as glycinin and conglycinin.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick tests, specific IgE blood tests, oral food challenge under medical supervision.

Treatment:
Avoidance of soy products, reading food labels carefully, use of epinephrine for severe reactions.

Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q) and oral antihistamines (e.g., Diphenhydramine , Cetirizine ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 0.4% of children, with most outgrowing it by age

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of allergies, early introduction of soy in diet.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good for most children, as it is often outgrown; lifelong management required for persistent cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anaphylaxis, challenges with dietary management, potential cross-reactivity with other legumes.

Penicillin Allergy

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Drug Allergies

Symptoms:
hives; swelling; shortness of breath; anaphylaxis in severe cases

Root Cause:
Immune system overreaction to penicillin antibiotics.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin testing for penicillin-specific IgE, clinical history, and sometimes graded oral challenges.

Treatment:
Avoidance of penicillin, alternative antibiotics, antihistamines, corticosteroids, and epinephrine for anaphylaxis.

Medications:
Antihistamines (e.g., Diphenhydramine ), corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone ), and epinephrine for severe reactions.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Reported by up to 10% of the population, but true allergy is confirmed in only about 1%.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous exposure to penicillin, family history of drug allergies.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with alternative medications; many people outgrow the allergy over time.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Limited antibiotic options, which may lead to suboptimal treatment.

Bee Sting Allergy

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Insect Allergies

Symptoms:
swelling at the sting site; redness; itching; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; anaphylaxis in severe cases

Root Cause:
An overreaction of the immune system to bee venom, leading to the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause allergic symptoms.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick test with bee venom extract; blood test for venom-specific IgE antibodies; clinical history of reactions to stings

Treatment:
Array

Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q), oral antihistamines (e.g., Loratadine , Diphenhydramine ), and corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone ) for severe swelling.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 5% of the population; life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) occur in 0.5-3% of cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous allergic reaction to a sting; family history of sting allergies; frequent exposure to bees (e.g., beekeepers)

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with proper management; immunotherapy can reduce sensitivity over time.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anaphylaxis; cardiovascular collapse; death if not treated promptly in severe cases

Wasp Sting Allergy

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Insect Allergies

Symptoms:
pain and swelling at the sting site; redness; itching; hives; difficulty breathing; anaphylaxis in severe cases

Root Cause:
Immune system hypersensitivity to wasp venom, causing release of histamine and inflammatory chemicals.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick test with wasp venom extract; blood test for venom-specific IgE antibodies; clinical history of reactions to stings

Treatment:
Array

Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q), oral antihistamines (e.g., Loratadine , Diphenhydramine ), and corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone ) for severe swelling.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Similar to bee sting allergy; affects around 5% of the population, with anaphylaxis occurring in 0.5-3%.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous allergic reactions to wasp stings; frequent exposure to wasps; family history of venom allergies

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment; immunotherapy can reduce severity and frequency of reactions.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe anaphylaxis; cardiovascular issues; potential death if untreated

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Other Related Disorders

Sub-category: Mast Cell Disorders

Symptoms:
flushing; hives; low blood pressure; abdominal cramping; diarrhea; brain fog; fatigue; anaphylaxis

Root Cause:
Dysfunctional activation of mast cells causing excessive release of histamine and other mediators, leading to recurrent allergic-like symptoms.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical criteria include symptoms consistent with mast cell activation, elevated mediators (e.g., tryptase, histamine), and symptom improvement with medications like antihistamines.

Treatment:
Antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and avoidance of known triggers.

Medications:
H1 and H2 blockers (e.g., Cetirizine , Ranitidine), mast cell stabilizers (e.g., Cromolyn Sodium), and epinephrine for severe reactions.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Precise prevalence unknown; considered an underdiagnosed condition.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predisposition, coexisting allergic disorders, chronic infections, and environmental triggers.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic but manageable with lifestyle adjustments and medications; quality of life can vary widely.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anaphylaxis, organ damage due to chronic inflammation, and significant impact on daily functioning.