Allergy 101
Are you having troubles with allergy problems and want some relief? Are you looking for some answers on how to prevent and treat allergy? This article will provide you very helpful information, guide and tips to help and arm you with your battle with allergies. By reading this article you will be able to help other people or yourself from the entire burden caused by allergy.
An allergy is a physical reaction to substances that usually don not bother most people. It is non-transmittable from person to person, allergies occur due to heredity and a weakened body defense.
ANIMAL ALLERGY
Pet allergy is provoked by the allergens found in the saliva of cats and dogs. Cats cause the most allergic reactions because they preen themselves more than other furry pets. This preening coats the fur with saliva which when dried up, releases allergens into the air.
Animal allergies can take two years or more to develop and may not subside until six months or more after ending contact with the animal. Pet allergens in carpets and furniture can remain for 4 to 6 weeks. These allergens can also stay in the household air for months after the animal has been removed. Therefore it is wise for people with animal allergies to check with the landlord or previous owner if furry pets had lived on the premises.
FOOD ALLERGIES
Food allergy is an abnormal response of the immune system to an otherwise harmless food. True food allergies affect only a relatively small percentage of people: two percent of adults and from two to eight percent of children. Food allergens, those parts of food causing allergic reactions, are usually proteins. When the allergen passes from the mouth into the stomach, the body recognizes it as a foreign substance, producing antibodies to halt the invasion. As the body fights off the invasion, symptoms begin to appear throughout the body.
- Most common symptoms of food allergy
Mouth: Swelling of the lips or tongue, itchy lips
Digestive tract: Stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea
Skin: Hives, rashes or eczema
Airways: Wheezing or breathing problems
Although some food allergies last a lifetime, some older children and adults may lose their sensitivity to foods such as nuts and fish, if the responsible food allergen can be identified and completely eliminated from the diet. Smoking during pregnancy has also been found to increase the possibility of allergies in a baby.
DRUG OR MEDICATION ALLERGY
It is important to remember that all drugs have the potential of causing an allergic reaction, even anaphylaxis (a violent reaction from allergy affecting different parts of the body at the same time). The usual drugs that cause an anaphylactic reaction are antibiotics, hormones, diagnostic agents and horse serum vaccines.
SKIN ALLERGY
Hives are itchy raised welts resembling mosquito bites that vary greatly in size. They may occur on any part of the body.
Angiodema are large localized swellings that may occur suddenly, especially about the eyes, mouth and tongue, as well as other parts of the body. Hives and angiodema are mostly caused by food and drug allergy or by a severe reaction to an insect sting.
Contact dermatitis is an itch rash caused by direct skin contact with a substance in the environment to which the patients is sensitive. The most common example of contact dermatitis because of sensitivity to the oil of the poison ivy plant. Large blisters may come from and ooze and when they break.
TREATMENT OF ALLERGIES
Medication
For people who find they cannot adequately avoid allergens, the symptoms often can be controlled with medications such as antihistamines, topical nasal and inhaled steroids, and cromolyn sodium (always check with the doctor first).
Antihistamines counters the effects of the substance histamine, which is released by specials cells in the body (called mast cells) and contributes to allergy symptoms.
Topical nasal and inhaled steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that stop the allergic reaction. They also reduce the number of mast cells in the nose as well as reduce mucus secretion and nasal swelling.
Administered as nasal or oral spray, cromolyn sodium stops allergic reactions starting.
Allergy shot or immunotherapy
Immunotherapy or a series of allergy shots is the only available treatment that has a chance of reducing allergy symptoms over the long haul.
With this treatment, patients receive injections of increasing concentrations of which they are sensitive. These injections reduce amount of IgE antibodies (allergy-causing antibodies) in the blood and cause the body to make a protective antibody called IgG.
Experts advice people who are susceptible to anaphylaxis to carry injectible epinepherine, a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone adrenaline, with them at all times. Epinepherine designed for emergency home use comes in two forms: a traditional needle and syringe kit known as Ana-kit, or an automatic injector system known as Epi-Pen. Doctors can instruct patients with allergies on how to self-administer epinepherine. Such prompt treatment can be crucial to survival.
HELPFUL TIPS TO TREAT ALLERGIES
- Move to a place where the offending substance does not grow and where it is not present in the air.
- Remain indoors on hot and windy days when pollen concentration is high
- Wear a face mask to keep pollen from reaching nasal passages
- Take vacations where exposure is minimal
- Clean out molds from bathrooms, houseplants and seldom used rooms
- Use a dehumidifier to dry out the excess humidity in your home
- Dust proof your bedroom
- Use a vacuum with a high efficiency air filter or water filter
- Dust frequently with a damp cloth or mop.
- Buy washable toys and furnishings
- Cat lovers should bathe their pets at least once a week
- Avoid irritants
- Know the ingredients of the food you are eating
- Know what medicines you’re taking
Reference:
Good Housekeeping, June 1999, pp. 69-71
