Allergies Guide

Allergies

Allergy is a reactions of the immune system to substances. Symptoms of allergy can be triggered to a exposure of the skin, lungs and stomach to particles of dust or pollen (or chemicals).

Some allergic symptoms are Asthma (wheezing), Bronchitis (coughing), Cyanosis ( blue discoloration), Fever, Hives, nausea, and Vomiting.

Nasal allergies manifest like the common cold or sinusitis, food allergies produce nausea, vomiting and skin irritation manifests as hives.

Reaction: The immune system protects invading agents like bacteria & viruses. In people with allergies the immune system generates large amounts of a antibody specific to the particular allergen to which he is allergic. This antibody attaches itself to particular cells in the body. The next time a contact with the allergen is made, then allergen attaches to the antibody like a key fitting into a lock. This lock-up causes the release of inflammatory chemicals. These substances, including histamine, move into various parts of the body, such as the respiratory system, to cause allergy symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing, among others.

Exposure to allergens when the body's defenses are weakened (such as after a viral infection, during puberty, or during pregnancy) may contribute to the development of allergies. People with year-round allergies are more likely to have developed them as adults. Women are more likely to have year-round allergies. Allergy symptoms can lessen as you get older, but they rarely completely disappear.

Allergens: In some people, pollen, pet hair, chemicals, dust,medicines, insect, latex, or foods can cause allergic reactions. Some individuals may be allergic to some situations like reaction to, stress, physical problems, or people in general.

Food Allergies

When people have an unpleasant reaction to something they ate, they often think that they have an allergy to the food. One out of three people say that some member of their family has an allergy to food that has necessitated a change in their diet. Actually, however, only about 1% of adults and 3% of children have clinically proven allergic reactions to food.

Food intolerance is also an abnormal response to food, and its symptoms can resemble those of food allergy. Food intolerance, however, is far more prevalent, manifests itself in a variety of diseases, and is triggered by several different mechanisms that are distinct from the immunological reaction responsible for food allergy.

Some facts on food allergies:

All symptoms of a food allergy occur within a few minutes to an hour of eating.
A food allergy can initially be experienced as an itching in the mouth and difficulty swallowing and breathing.
During digestion of the food in the stomach and intestines, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain can start. (Incidentally, gastrointestinal symptoms are those that are most often confused with the symptoms of different types of food intolerance.)
When the allergens reach the skin, they can induce hives or eczema, and when they reach the lungs, they can cause asthma.
As the allergens travel through the blood vessels, they can cause light headedness, weakness, and anaphylaxis, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure. Anaphylactic reactions are severe even when they start off with mild symptoms, such as a tingling in the mouth and throat or discomfort in the abdomen. They can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Foods that cause allergies:
There are eight types of foods that are accountable for 90% of all food-allergic reactions. The foods that most commonly cause anaphylaxis (called allergenic foods) are:

Peanuts
Tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.)
Shellfish
Fish
Milk
Soy
Wheat
Eggs

Food Allergy Symptoms:
Symptoms of food allergies can range from mildly irritating to life threatening. The most common symptoms of food allergies are:

Hives
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal cramping
Swelling of the throat, lips, or tongue
Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
Metallic taste or itching in the mouth
Generalized flushing, itching, or redness of the skin (hives)
Nausea
Increased heart rate
Plunging blood pressure (and accompanying paleness)
Sudden feeling of weakness
Anxiety or an overwhelming sense of doom
Collapse
Loss of consciousness

Allergenic Medications

The most common medications that cause allergic reactions (called allergenic medications) are:

Penicillin
Sulfa antibiotics
Allopurinol
Seizure and anti-arrhythmia medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen)
Muscle relaxants
Certain post-surgery fluids

Common allergic symptoms due to Allergenic medications:

Itching
Hives
Swelling of the throat
Asthma
A drop in blood pressure
Irregular heart rhythm
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal cramping
Loss of consciousness
Death

Insect Allergies Some insects associated with triggering severe allergic reactions are

Bees, Wasp, Yellow jackets, Hornets, Ants, especially the fire ant

Symptoms include:

Itching and hives over much of the body;
Swelling in the throat or tongue;
Difficulty breathing or swallowing;
Dizziness, severe headache;
Stomach cramps, nausea, or diarrhea;
Rapid fall in blood pressure; and
Shock and loss of consciousness.

Avoidance: Avoidance is a key element in guarding against severe allergic reactions to insect stings. Simple steps that people can take to avoid attracting or provoking stinging insects when outdoors include:

Avoiding brightly colored clothing or sweet-smelling cosmetics and shampoos ;
Keeping food and garbage covered;
Wearing shoes to guard against stepping on insects;
Keeping arms and legs covered during activities (such as gardening or hiking) that may expose you to stinging insects;
Refraining from swatting or crushing insects;
Steering clear of areas where insects have nested;

Symptoms include:

Itchy rashes, hives;
Nasal congestion (rhinitis);
Swelling, especially around the nose, mouth, and throat;
Eye irritation or conjunctivitis; and
Respiratory problems, including asthma and rhino conjunctivitis.

Please continue to next page of latex allergies

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