Allergies are an immune system reaction to substances called allergens. The cause a range of symptoms from a stuffy nose to itchy eyes to difficulty breathing. How long allergies last varies based on what type of allergy, length of exposure, and several other factors.
This article will discuss the different types of allergies and how long they last. It will also cover factors that impact allergy duration.
How Long an Allergic Reaction Could Last
The length of time an allergic reaction can last varies based on several factors. The information below discusses the type of allergic reaction and the amount of time the reaction can last.
Systemic Allergic Reaction
Food Allergy
Food allergy symptoms typically begin a few minutes or two hours after someone eats or drinks. In some people, the onset of symptoms will disappear and a second wave of symptoms will return one to four hours later. This phenomenon is called a biphasic reaction.
The length of time that food allergy symptoms last will vary based on the severity of the reaction, as well as how much of the food was eaten and for how long. It is common for symptoms to last for two hours up to a couple of days.
Oral allergy syndrome is a type of food allergy where the mouth or throat becomes itchy after eating certain foods. It typically occurs within minutes of eating a fruit or vegetable.
Seasonal Allergy
Seasonal allergies, sometimes called hay fever, is a reaction to pollen, dust, or mold that tends to worsen during the spring, summer, or fall.
People with seasonal allergies can experience symptoms for the entire time that they are exposed to the allergen. This can be for about six weeks during pollen seasons. If exposure to the allergen continues, then allergy symptoms can last for months.
Anaphylactic Allergic Reaction
An anaphylactic allergic reaction is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction. It occurs within seconds to minutes of contact with an allergen.
Anaphylaxis
The symptoms of anaphylaxis will peak within 30 minutes of exposure to the allergen. The symptoms can continue to last for many hours.
Skin Allergy
Allergic contact dermatitis is a skin reaction to contact from an allergen. The allergic reaction typically occurs one to two days after exposure. The reaction causes a rash that can continue to be seen for weeks after the allergen is removed.
Immediate vs. Delayed Allergic Reactions
There are four hypersensitivity classifications, types 1, 2, 3, and 4. Type 1 is an immediate hypersensitivity reaction. It occurs soon after an allergen exposure. Types 2, 3, and 4 are delayed hypersensitivity reactions. These occur 24 hours or longer after allergen exposure.
The most immediate reaction is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction. It occurs when the body produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to an allergen. When the IgE antibodies detect the allergen, the allergic reaction is produced within seconds to minutes. This is seen in many allergies like pollen, pet dander, and dust. IgE also can produce anaphylaxis, in which the entire body reacts to an allergen.
Type 4 hypersensitivity is the second most common type of reaction. This type of reaction takes two days or more to develop. An example of this reaction is a rash to poison ivy.
Type 2 hypersensitivity is an antibody-dependent reaction involving antibodies other than IgE and is not typically described as an allergy. This is a rare reaction and takes anywhere from two to 24 hours to develop. Examples of type 2 reactions are erythroblastosis fetalis, Goodpasture syndrome, and autoimmune anemias.
Type 3 is an immune-complex disease and is not typically described as an allergy. It takes a couple of days to weeks to occur. Examples of type 3 reactions are systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and reactive arthritis.
Factors That Impact Duration of Allergic Reaction
Overall, the factor that impacts the duration of an allergic reaction is the length of time someone is exposed to the allergen. An example is those with seasonal allergies, symptoms will remain as long as the pollen is circulating in the air. Or, if a person is allergic to pet dander, they will continue to have symptoms as long as they are exposed.
Allergic Reaction vs. Hypersensitivity vs. Intolerance
The terms "allergic reaction," "hypersensitivity," and "intolerance" are occasionally used interchangeably. However, these terms all have unique meanings.
Intolerance is usually used in reference to food intolerance. This is when the body has a difficult time digesting a certain food. This causes people to feel sick or have an upset stomach. An example of this is lactose intolerance.
An allergic reaction is a clinical syndrome that is an immune system response to an allergen. The term hypersensitivity is a term that describes the immune response, and an allergy is a type of hypersensitivity reaction.
Ways to Shorten Allergic Reaction Time
There are several ways to shorten an allergic reaction. The first step is to find out what is causing the allergy and remove it. In some cases, like seasonal allergies, this is not always possible.
The next step to shorten an allergic reaction is to treat it with medication. There are many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines available to manage allergies. If this is a new allergy, talk to a healthcare provider about the best treatment plan.
Treatments may include:
- Antihistamines: This common type of oral medication blocks the histamine response, which causes many of the allergy symptoms. Examples include Allegra (fexofenadine), Clarinex (desloratadine)n Xyzal (levocetirizine), and Zyrtec (cetirizine). Antihistamine nasal sprays and eye drops are also available.
- Nasal corticosteroids: This type of nasal spray reduces swelling in the nose. This minimizes congestion and runny nose. Examples include Flonase (fluticasone propionate) and Nasonex (mometasone)
- Decongestants: A decongestant nasal spray narrows blood vessels in the nose to reduce swelling and congestion. These are very effective medications. However, if used too frequently, they can cause rebound congestion. An example is Afrin (oxymetazoline).
- Mast cell stabilizers: This type of medication stops the body from releasing histamine. An example is NasalCrom (cromolyn).
- Corticosteroid creams: This type of topical treatment reduces swelling, redness, and itching in allergic rashes.
Epinephrine is used for an anaphylactic allergic reaction. This is a medical emergency in which the person's breathing becomes difficult or impossible, and their blood circulation decreases. An epinephrine autoinjector (such as an EpiPen) should be used as soon as possible, and also call 911.
Summary
Allergies can be bothersome or even life-threatening. It's best to avoid triggers to keep symptoms away. However, that is not always possible. In these cases, there are several medications available to reduce symptoms and decrease the duration of allergies. Always talk to a healthcare provider before starting a new medication or when a new allergy arises.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Patty Weasler, RN, BSN
Weasler is a Wisconsin-based registered nurse with over a decade of experience in pediatric critical care.
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