Allergic reactions vary from person to person. They can range from minor irritation to a life-threatening emergency called anaphylaxis. While most allergies can't be cured, treatments can help relieve your allergy symptoms.

Understanding the Context

Overview A drug allergy is the reaction of the immune system to a medicine. Any medicine — over-the-counter, prescription or herbal — can trigger a drug allergy. However, a drug allergy is more likely with certain medicines. The most common symptoms of drug allergy are hives, rash and fever.

Key Insights

But a drug allergy also may cause serious reactions. This includes a severe, life-threatening ... Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you're allergic to, such as peanuts or bee stings. Anaphylaxis causes the immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can cause you to go into shock — blood pressure drops suddenly and the airways narrow, blocking breathing.

Final Thoughts

Signs and symptoms ... For management of allergic reactions: Adults—25 milligrams (mg) 3 or 4 times a day. Children 6 years of age and older—50 to 100 mg per day given in divided doses. Children younger than 6 years of age—50 mg per day given in divided doses. For controlling anxiety and produce sleep before surgery: Adults—50 to 100 milligrams (mg) per day. Epinephrine injection is used for emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) to insect bites or stings, medicines, foods, or other substances.

Food intolerance and other reactions A food intolerance or a reaction to another substance you ate may cause the same symptoms as a food allergy does — such as nausea, vomiting, cramping and diarrhea. Depending on the type of food intolerance you have, you may be able to eat small amounts of problem foods without a reaction. Milk allergy is an atypical immune system response to milk and products containing milk. It's one of the most common food allergies in children.