 Allergies Guide|  admin|  11.20.09|  
Allergies are our immune system kicking into high gear. They are our body’s way of fighting off what the body perceives to be “foreign” offenders. Typically, an allergy occurs when the body over-responds to a substance one would normally consider benign or harmless. You can have an allergy to just about anything, though some objects and irritants more commonly cause allergic symptoms than others.
Consider, for example, pollen. Pollen is a natural substance produced by budding plants, flowers and tress. For some, pollen is nothing more than a nuisance, or a sign that spring is on the horizon. For others however, pollen can bring on a host of unwelcome symptoms, including:
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Persistent runny nose
- Sinus congestion
- Respiratory problems including asthma or wheezing
- Coughing
- Hives
- Hay fever
- Nausea, or
- Vomiting
In severe circumstances, allergies can produce a life-threatening, anaphylactic reaction. Are you prepared to take action in the event you experience the unexpected? Don’t worry, we’ll help prepare you. Read on to find out how to deal with this life-threatening complication.
Anaphylaxis
This is among the most severe reactions a person will have when exposed to a substance they are allergic to. A typical anaphylaxis response is so serious, it may result in death. If you aren’t prepared, you risk your life, or that of a close family member or friend. The good news is you don’t have to. Just sit back and arm yourself with the right information. Learn what anaphylaxis is – and how to address it.
Anaphylaxis – Tough word, tough symptoms. It is a severe reaction to a common allergen.
An Anaphylactic reaction may be accompanied by throat constriction, swelling, an inability to swallow or breathe and shock.
Typically anaphylaxis occurs in a small percentage of the population that is consistently re-exposed to allergens they are extremely sensitive to. Other symptoms of anaphylaxis may include heart palpitations or low blood pressure and fluid in the lungs.
Many people lose consciousness. Some allergens are more likely to produce this type of reaction than others, including:
- Stings or bites from insects.
- Consumption of certain foods, including shellfish or peanuts.
- Use of medications including antibiotics or sulfa drugs in some patients.
- Exposure to latex, and
- Certain vaccines, including those containing egg proteins.
You may not realize you are hypersensitive to a substance (like a medication) until you take it. The good news is with prompt treatment and care, the symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction can be reversed. Typically emergency care is sought to open airways or restore consciousness in individuals.
Many hospitals will offer patients epinephrine and other medications that will reduce inflammation. If you know you are super sensitive to a particular allergen, your doctor may prescribe an “at-home” care kit which may include a pre-loaded dose of epinephrine you can use in the event you are exposed to a known allergen and start an anaphylactic reaction.
Use of this home kit will stabilize you long enough to seek emergency care. If you know you are prone to having this severe of a reaction, you should wear a medical alert bracelet or inform those around you of your condition, so you can take proper precautions to protect your health.
If you use a home kit you should still seek the care of your physician immediately following exposure, as symptoms often return even with treatment a few hours after your initial reaction.
A qualified healthcare provider will monitor you and ensure you are safe before sending you home. You may also need to take medication, including anti-inflammatory medication or antihistamines, if you have a severe reaction for a short time.
The good news is you don’t have to suffer through your body’s hypersensitive response to allergens. The key to fighting allergies is identifying first what your body is sensitive to, and then finding out ways to avoid these substances to reduce your symptoms in the future.
Allergies Guide| admin| 11.19.09|
Allergies affect people in a systematic manner. Typically a substance, referred to as an “allergen,” is introduced to a person through skin-to-skin contact, by breath, through the air or through ingestion.
Once exposed to an allergen, the body produces a type of protein called an Immunoglobulin E – also known simply as IgE. This is what many doctors refer to as an “allergic antibody” and responds in the presence of something a person is sensitive to, or something the body perceives as threatening. IgE attaches to cells in the body called “mast” cells.
These cells reside throughout the body, including on the skin, in the nose, in the lungs and in our respiratory tract. The first time an individual is exposed to an allergen, they typically respond with a “weak” allergenic response or sensitivity. This may include some “light” symptoms such as itching, redness or bronchial discomfort.
With time, a person who consistently exposes their body to certain allergens become overly sensitive to these allergies. The body responds by producing increasing amounts of IgE every time a person is exposed to allergens, resulting in a worsening of symptoms, to the point where asthma or other severe conditions may be triggered in some.
Inflammation is another common response to repeated exposure to allergens. Inflammation may manifest in many different ways, including swelling of internal and external organs, cells, tissues or lining in the body. Inflammation may be localized or occur throughout the body, in which case a more aggressive approach to treatment may be sought.
Typically, allergic responses occurring in the eyes, nose or lungs result from exposure to allergens in the air, like pollen, dust mites or mold. Some people will experience mild to moderate allergies every spring when the trees, grass and flowers bloom. Most doctors will prescribe medications or recommend antihistamines to patients that have annual allergies.
Exposure to foods or chemicals one is allergic to may result in hives, nausea, vomiting and related symptoms.
There are varying levels of reaction one may have to allergens; these range from mild to severe. Many people experience a worsening of their symptoms with repeated exposure, which is one reason it is important to avoid known allergens when possible.
Allergies Guide| admin| 11.16.09|
Consider it the difference between having a cold and having the flu. The two produce similar symptoms, but one is often more serious than the other. You are not likely to catch a cold that is so severe it will prove life-threatening, but the flu can often lead to more serious illness, hospitalization and even death, especially among those who are most at risk, including those with compromised immune systems.
Who is at Risk?
People with compromised immune systems as well as those with a family history of allergies are more at risk than those with no risk factors. Someone with no risk factors however, may develop allergic reactions from repeated exposure to known allergens.
Children who demonstrate sensitivities to foods early in life may outgrow them as they grow older, because their immune systems are usually more sensitive while young. That does not mean however, they won’t develop other allergies later in life.
Stress can also increase your risk for developing sensitivities or allergies, in part because stress negatively impacts the immune system. Stress is something most people can manage effectively, thus reduce their odds of negative reactions from known irritants or allergens. If you find you frequently suffer from allergic reactions, try looking at the levels of stress in your life, and find out if you can reduce them.
This may be all you need to break free from the cycle of allergies. Time to sum up what we’ve learned so far, so keep reading.
What We Learned
Every year millions of people suffer from allergies. Those most at risk include individuals with a family history of allergies or those with weakened immune systems. Allergies and sensitivities are two birds of a feather, though allergies are a more extreme form of sensitivities.
Whether you are allergic to a food product or any other foreign substance, the best steps you can take to avoid or reduce symptoms is to recognize the substances you are allergic to and avoid them. Once you discover your triggers, you can also take medications that will reduce your body’s response to known irritants.
Now that you know a little more about allergies, it’s time to concentrate more on the specific types of allergies most common among adults and children. In the next section we will review some of the more common types of allergies so you can better understand how allergies impact people in different ways.
Allergies Guide| admin| 10.22.09|
There is a common misconception among a large part of the population that a sensitivity is the same as an allergy; this is not the case, though a sensitivity to a known irritant can, with time, result in a full-blown allergy.
Stay a step ahead of the game by understanding the difference.
Allergy – Any substance provoking an altered reaction in the body, resulting in increased production of IgE, a substance in blood tissues triggered when the body is exposed to a known allergen. Release of IgE results in symptoms including watery eyes, itching, sneezing, coughing and more. Typically, when one has an allergy, they have a reaction to a food or other product within a few hours or immediately after exposure.
Sensitivity – A reaction that occurs to a food or other substance similar to an allergic reaction, but to a lesser degree. A patient may exhibit symptoms many hours or days after exposure. Symptoms may include discomfort, slight rash, irritation or gas in the case where someone has food intolerance.
When someone is “sensitive” to a product, they do not necessarily have to avoid the substance altogether, but if they do they decrease the chances they will develop a full allergy.
Many people mistakenly think they have an allergy to a food or other substance when really, they are just sensitive, meaning their body doesn’t tolerate exposure as well as it might in other people. Sensitivities often result in chronic symptoms that can lead to mysterious “illnesses” like frequent nasal drip, abdominal pain or distention, coughing, ulcers, repeated ear infections or even respiratory problems and frequent headaches. The greater the volume of a product you are exposed to, and the lower or more weakened your immune system, the more likely you are to react negatively to an irritant.
Understanding the difference between an allergy and sensitivity is difficult. Often, you would treat both similarly; your best bet is to avoid the known irritant. You may not need to take medication for sensitivity however, whereas in the case of an allergy, more than likely you will want to have some form of medication available to help mitigate your symptoms.
Allergies Guide| admin| 10.14.09|
Food allergies are but one of many different allergens. If you do have a food allergy, you may find you are prone to other types of common allergies.
Do you find you are consistently reaching for the Claritin? There are thousands of people living everyday with what most consider “common” allergies. These include allergies to substances other than food. Most of these allergies stem from exposure to environmental irritants, including indoor and outdoor “pollutants” and even natural or organic products in nature.
Some of the more common allergens include: insects, pollen, plants, flowers, trees and chemicals. Let’s take some time to review some of these more common allergens.
Common Allergens List
Ragweed – Often included in the pollen category, and inspires symptoms including itchy, watery eyes, runny noses, wheezing and coughing. For some, it may result in worsening asthma or other respiratory problems.
Cockroaches – Many insects, not just honeybees or spiders, can cause allergic reactions in people. A cockroach does not have to bite a person to stimulate an allergic reaction. Common symptoms of a cockroach allergy include rashes and asthma. Many researchers believe it is the cockroach’s saliva and feces that result in allergic symptoms. Think you don’t have a cockroach problem? Think again. Some studies suggest that in urban areas up to 98 percent of homes will have cockroaches of some sort. Their favorite places to hide include in kitchens, in closets and in furniture or old luggage. Usually, people already predisposed to asthma are most likely to react to cockroach exposure with allergy symptoms.
Dust mites – These are tiny organisms that live in dust. They reside throughout your home, in your bed and pillows, in upholstery and even in your carpet. The best way to remove dust mites to the best of your ability is to vacuum often, clean often and wash your sheets and bedding as often as possible. Allergic symptoms are similar to those of exposure to pollens, and may include wheezing or coughing. Many people with dust mite allergies experience ongoing problems, as it is difficult to entirely eliminate dust mites from one’s living environment.
Honeybees – Honeybees, bees and other insects often inject venom that, in most people, will result in only mild irritation. Some people however, have a heightened allergic response that tends to worsen with time, and may include respiratory difficulty, hives and even anaphylactic reactions. Most bees that inject a person with an allergic irritant actually leave a venom filled “sac” in the skin. You can often remove this sack by gently scratching the surface of your skin with a flat credit card or similar substance. Be careful however, because you can accidentally break the stinger or stem holding the sac in place, causing the venom to stay put or worse, leak into the surrounding skin.
Mold – Mold includes all parasitic fungi or spores that float through the air or live within warm, moist environments. Mold may also include mildew that grows in the warm, moist corridors of your house, or even right alongside your home. Many households have mold in the basement, but mold may also grow out-of-doors, including in piles of old leaves, in mulch and in related areas. Mold is often problematic during hot and humid summer months. Consider yourself lucky if you live in a climate where there is little moisture in the air; you are less likely to suffer from constant exposure to mold.
Pollen – this typically results in an allergic response like hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Inflammation of the nose, throat and eyes are common. We’ll cover pollen in more detail later in this guide.
Cat dander or animal dander – Certain animal’s, including cats, secrete substances or proteins that irritate many humans’ nasal lining. Symptoms of an animal dander allergy include watery, itchy eyes, sneezing, congestion and even increased asthmatic symptoms. Some people develop allergies to dander only after repeated exposure to a pet. Others may experience very severe reactions even to minimal exposure.
Most people experience flares or a worsening of their symptoms in the spring, when flowers and other trees begin blooming, releasing pollens in the air. The good news is even if you are sensitive to any or all of these common allergens you can take steps to reduce your exposure and the severity of flare-ups.
Allergies Guide| admin| 10.10.09|
Like food allergies, the first step in alleviating common allergies is identifying your triggers. A simple blood test is sometimes all that is needed to define the reasons for your symptoms. For many common allergens, most people experience a wide range of symptoms that may include: itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; chronic respiratory problems; asthma; problems sleeping; swelling or hives; anaphylactic or emergent reactions requiring immediate medical assistance.
In the next section, we will focus more on diagnosing and treating common allergies. We’ll also talk about ways you can avoid triggers in more detail, so you can free yourself from the confines that allergies often produce.
What We Learned
Allergies come in many different shapes and sizes. People have allergies to dust, mold, bugs, insects, pollen and more. A person’s reaction to an allergenic substance will vary; some people will have mild symptoms that remain mild no matter their exposure to a known allergen, while others will experience severe, life-threatening reactions that may require emergency medical care.
The best way to reduce your odds of experiencing severe symptoms is by learning what your allergy triggers are, how to reduce your exposure and how to treat allergies when they do occur.
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