Allergies An allergy is when you have an immune response to something that is typically not harmful. You’ve likely experienced an allergic reaction to something before, whether it be pollen, mold or through skin contact. This happens when you’re exposed to allergens and have a hyper-sensitive immune system. Allergies range from mild to severe, which affects your readiness. As a Warfighter, it’s important to know your allergies, and the means to prevent and/or treat them. Types of Allergies Skin Contact Poison plants Animal scratches Pollen Latex Inhalation Pollen Dust Mold and mildew Animal dander Ingestion Medication Nuts Shellfish Injection Bites Stings Unique Warfighter Experience As a Warfighter, you may be exposed to foreign substances while working that you otherwise wouldn’t experience as a civilian. Environmental exposures can agitate your immune system and lead to both acute (i.e., short-term) and chronic (i.e., long-term) effects. These types of exposures can happen through air, chemical, warfare agents and radiation. You may encounter these allergens in combat zones, on military bases and during specific duties. Make sure to always wear proper protective gear and seek medical attention if you notice adverse reactions from exposure. Air pollutants: burn pits, dust and oil well fires Chemicals: solvents, smoke devices and contaminated water Warfare agents: chemical and biological weapons Radiation: nuclear testing and depleted uranium in military equipment and weapons Additional occupational hazards: asbestos, lead and fuel Symptoms Oftentimes, the symptoms you experience are influenced by where the allergen is in the body. For example, if you breathe in pollen, symptoms typically impact your nose and throat. Though it’s most common for certain parts of the body to respond, sometimes the entire body responds. Certain allergic reactions, such as medication, bites and stings, can affect the body in more than one area. When you come in contact with something you’re allergic to, your body forms a response to get rid of it. The symptoms you notice occur as your body actively tries to ‘flush’ your system of the allergen. Symptoms range from mild to severe. In some cases, allergic reactions can lead to anaphylaxis, which is when your airway swells and blood pressure drops. This is a life-threatening symptom that needs immediate medical attention. It’s important to know your allergies, especially as a Warfighter, so you can prevent unwanted and dangerous reactions that could negatively impact your mission readiness. Common Skin Contact and Injection Symptoms Itching Swelling Redness Rash or hives Blisters Skin peeling Common Ingestion and Inhalation Symptoms Stuffy nose Itchy nose and throat Mucus Cough or wheezing Whole body symptoms (typically with medication reactions) Diagnosis Depending on your allergies, you may be able easily identify symptoms. For example, as seasons change, you might notice you are sneezing and have itchy eyes. You could assume you are allergic to pollen or leaf mold. You may recognize food and medication allergies based on adverse reactions and presence of symptoms. It’s also possible to recognize symptoms with temperature changes like summer heat and winter cold. Other allergies are determined through testing. The most common allergy test is skin testing, or patch tests, where you are introduced to small amounts of various allergens on the skin in order to determine if you have a specific allergy. Blood tests can also determine if you are allergic to certain allergens. It’s important to contact your care team as soon as possible if you believe you are allergic to something. This is especially important with severe allergic reactions requiring emergency treatment. Treatment Not every allergy has a treatment, though there are a few different things you can do to manage your allergy and reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. First is to avoid allergens you know impact you, when possible. For example, if you are allergic to cat dander, it’s important to limit your exposure to cats. Other treatments include medications and allergy shots. Common allergy medications include antihistamines, corticosteroids and decongestants, which are available over-the-counter and through prescription. Additional medications are available for certain allergies. For allergies that produce a severe reaction, auto-injection pens are likely prescribed for treatment. Work with your care team to determine what the best treatment protocol is for you. Whether you live with seasonal allergies or severe reactions to certain allergens, understanding your allergies is important for your military service. Though there are exceptions, many severe allergies that require emergency medication (e.g., EpiPen) may disqualify you for service. Typically, most allergies are manageable as long as you stay on top of prevention and treatment methods. If you recognize any new symptoms after coming into contact with an allergen, see your care team as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment to stay fit for service. ReferencesCleveland Clinic - “Allergies”Mayo Clinic - “Allergies”MedlinePlus - “Allergies”U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - “Military Exposures”
