What are allergies? The immune
system is responsible for the identification and destruction of foreign
substances that enters the body. Normally the immune system acts as the body's
defense against disease-causing microorganisms and substances. However for some
people, the immune system mistakes perfectly harmless substances for germs and
in response, it releases certain compounds to destroy the perceived
"enemy". This results to allergic reaction. Some people may show
allergic reaction to one substance, but others may manifest allergic reaction
to many substances which we call allergens.
Allergens may cause an allergic reaction when they come in contact
with skin or the eye, when they are inhaled, eaten, or are injected. An
allergic reaction can occur as part of a seasonal allergy (such as hay fever).
Or an allergic reaction can be triggered by taking a drug, eating certain
foods, or breathing in dust or animal dander.
Symptoms of allergies may include:
- Watery and itchy eye
- Runny nose,
- Sneezing (hayfever, rhinitis)
- Nasal congestion
- Swelling around the mouth, nose and throat
- Itchy skin
- Swelling of
- Rashes (inclding hives and eczema)
- Swelling of the skin
- Wheezing and coughing (asthma)
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
- Lowering of blood pressure
- Light headedness, weakness, and anaphylaxis
- Collapse or loss of conciousness
- In severe cases may cause death
Food allergy. Allergy caused by eating allergenic foods that cause
allergic reaction Food allergy may include:
- Peanuts
- Milk
- Wheat
- Wallnuts, pecans, etc
- Shellfish
- Soy
- Eggs
Medication Allergy. Allergy caused by taking medications that cause allergic
reaction.
- Penicillin
- Allopurinol
- Sulfa antibiotics
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAIDS, such as asprin and ibuprofen)
- Muscle relaxants
Insect allergy. Allergy caused by insect bites that belongs to the
Hymenoptera order of insects. Bites from insect that cause allergic reaction
are from
- Bees
- Hornet
- Ants
- Wasps
- Yellow jackets
Latex allergy. Allergy caused by contact to latex materials. Common latex
materials that cause allergic reaction are
- Rubber bands
- Carpet backing
- Hospital and dental equipment
- Rubber (latex) gloves
- Balloons
- Condoms
Exercise induced Anaphylaxis: Allergy due to exercise-induced Anaphylaxis develops
allergic reaction after doing some strenuous exercise
Allergic Conjunctivitis and Eye
allergy. Allergic reaction is usually
caused by pollen, house dust mites and animal dander
Hay Fever . Hay fever, asthma and eczema are all related allergy
conditions and the tendency to develop them runs in families. Most people with
hay fever have allergic reaction to grass and oilseed rape pollens, which
appear from April to August each year. People who are sensitive to pollen from
hazel, yew, elm and alder may develop allergy symptoms from January to April,
and people allergic to nettles and other weeds can be affected from April to
mid-September.
Allergic Rhinitis. Allergic reaction is caused by exposure to house-dust
mite, but there are others, including allergens from animals such as cats,
dogs, and horses. Certain foods, drugs and chemicals can also trigger allergic
reaction.
- First step is to determine if the reaction is allergic. This is usually done by a doctor.
- Establish if there are other members of the family or close relatives that have allergy
- Blood test for eosinophils - a white blood cell produced during allergy attack
- Identify possible allergens that may have triggered the allergic reaction
- History of recent contacts or intake (eating, drinking or injection) of possible allergens that may have triggered the allergic reaction.
- Skin prick test - solution of allergen is dropped to the skin and then pricked by a needle. The formation of wheal (elevated swelling) and flare (surrounding the wheal of well defined redness) within 15 to 20 minutes would give a positive allergic reaction. Allergen solution may also be injected to provide a more detailed result.
