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Information About Allergies
What do you really know about allergies? Check out the information below for general allergy information.
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What Do You Need To Know About Allergies?
Allergy information helps those afflicted with allergies to know exactly what is going on and, if necessary, what to do about it. You will want to know where and when you are most likely to come into contact with anything that could trigger your allergy symptoms and how to deal with symptoms when they occur.
Allergies can be experienced through several means. They can be triggered though inhalation, ingestion, injection, and contact with the skin. There is a whole range of severity when it comes to allergic reactions. Some are life-threatening while others are just bothersome. Where you fall on the continuum will dictate how you deal with your allergy symptoms when they occur.
It is imperative that you get diagnosed and discuss this with your doctor because every person is unique, and their allergies are different. There is no one panacea that will work in every case. For some people, avoiding the cause and waiting out the symptoms or using an over-the-counter medication is the best way to go. Others with more severe allergies may require immediate medical attention. It all depends on you and your unique allergy situation.
The more you learn about your specific type of allergy and all the things that might be able to trigger it, the better off you will be. Some people are allergic to substances found in household products so you will want to do your homework. Just because you do not know that an allergen is present does not mean that it will not trigger symptoms just the same.
The answer to allergies is information. The more you know about what causes it, what the reaction does, and how to deal with it, the more prepared you will be to get through the symptoms safely and effectively.
Basic Information About Allergies
What is an Allergy? Having an allergy means that your body perceives that a harmful substance (the allergen) is dangerous and has entered the body or come in contact with it and is mounting an internal battle to take care of it. This hypersensitivity process is called an allergic reaction.
What is an Allergen? An allergen is a substance that youy body perceives as dangerous, but the body of a person who is non-allergic ignores it. Some of the more common allergens are molds, pollen, animal dander, dust mites, certain foods and medications, and latex. Of course there are many more, but they are too numerous to mention here.
What is the difference between an allergen and an Antigen? An antigen is a substance, usually a protein that the body perceives as foreign. An immune response is set in motion and this is the way the body fights disease. An allergen is a specific type of antigen, which sets in motion an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity. Viruses and bacteria are other types of antigens. The difference between an antigen and an allergen is that the allergen is usually harmless to most people, whereas the other antigens are indeed harmful.
What are Antibodies? Antibodies are proteins that are created by your body to fight the battle against the invader, which is the allergen/antigen. Some antibodies are produced the first time your body encounters the antigen and more antibodies are produced with each additional exposure. You may not feel any reaction at first, but as more antibodies are produced you will start to experience some symptoms of an allergic reaction.
How are Allergies and Asthma Related? An asthma attack can be triggered by an allergy in which you may experience a feeling of tightness in the chest, wheezing and breathing difficulties. Both the frequency and severity of asthma attacks can be reduced by having good control over your allergies.
What is an Allergic Reaction? Your body goes through an allergic reaction process when it senses the presence of an allergen. The allergen may have come in contact with the skin, be inhaled through the mouth or nose or ingested as food or medication. Antibodies are produced when the body senses the presence of an allergen and these antibodies attach to mast cells, which then release a substance called histamine. When histamine is released its job is to narrow the bronchial tubes in the lungs, dilate blood vessels and produce secretions such as mucus. The main substance responsible for the symptoms characteristic of an allergic reaction is histamine. Antihistamines are medications that inhibit the release of histamines. An allergic reaction is a hypersensitivity to a substance to which most people do not react.
Are Allergies Dangerous? Although they can make your life miserable, most allergies are not dangerous. Anaphylaxis is the exception, this is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of a Mild Reaction: If an allergy sufferer experiences a mild reaction they may experience localized symptoms such as Flushing, rash/hives,nasal congestion and watery eyes.The symptoms rarely spread to other parts of the body in a mild reaction.
Symptoms of a Moderate Reaction: The symptoms become stronger in a moderate reaction and may start to spread to other parts of the body. A moderate reaction can be the signal for the beginning of anaphylaxis and must be monitored carefully.
Symptoms of a Severe or Anaphylactic Reaction: Anaphylaxis is a rare condition and is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.When anaphylaxis occurs, the body's response to the allergen is sudden and systemic, and involves the whole body.There is the potential for any allergen to lead to an anaphylactic reaction, while certain foods, medications and insect stings are the most likely culprits.
Symptoms Include:
- Mental confusion and dizziness due to a drop in blood pressure.
- Swelling, especially of the tongue, face and throat.
- Difficulty breathing.
The condition of the person involved can deteriorate rapidly, usually within minutes and can lead to shock and even death. Those people who are at increased risk of anaphylaxis ( for example those who have already had a moderate reaction to a bee sting or similar occurance) may carry with them an emergency kit which contains injectable epinephrine ( commonly known as adrenaline ), prescribed by their physician. The epinephrine helps to reduce shock by constricting blood vessels and raising blood pressure.The injected epinephrine buys some time and allows about 15 minutes travel time to a hospital emergency department where the individual still needs to seek emergency care. Assistance may be required to administer the injection to a person suffering an anaphylactic reaction because the symptoms can progress so rapidly.You should speak to your doctor about prescribing such a kit if you think you could be at increased risk of an anaphylactic reaction. The injections now also come in a pen form, where the needle is not visible and the pen is placed against a large muscle, such as the thigh, the trigger is pushed and the nedle with the epinephrine is injected into the muscle. It is a good idea to discuss with your doctor the need to wear a MedicAlert bracelet.
Additional Resources for Information About Allergy
WebMD Allergies Health Center - Find allergy information and ...
Allergies affect nearly 20% of Americans. Here you'll find in-depth allergy information including treatments
Allergies: Allergy Information
Learn about what allergies are, how the body's immune system works, and how allergies can affect someone's life.
Allergy (Allergies) Symptoms, Causes and Signs on MedicineNet.com
Get the facts about allergic reactions, causes, allergy types (food, dust, mold, seasonal), symptoms and signs (skin rash, itching, red bumps, sneezing)
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