Allergy | Types | Symptoms | Causes | Treatment

An allergy is the body's reaction to a particular food or substance. Allergies are very common. It is estimated that they will affect more than 1 in 4 people in the UK at some point in their lives. They are especially suitable for children. Some allergies go away as the child gets older, although many last a lifetime. Adults can be allergic to things they were not previously allergic to. Having allergies can be annoying and affect your daily routine, but most allergic reactions are mild and can be controlled. Serious reactions can occur from time to time, but they are not uncommon.

Common Allergies

Allergens that cause allergies are called allergens. The most common allergies are:

  • Allergy to straw and tree pollen - hay fever (rhinitis allergy)
  • dust
  • animal skins (small scales of skin or hair)
  • Foods – especially nuts, fruits, shellfish, eggs and cow's milk
  • bites and insect bites
  • Medications – including ibuprofen, aspirin, and some antibiotics
  • latex - used to make some gloves and condoms
  • mold – this can release tiny particles into the air that you can breathe
  • Household chemicals - including detergents and hair dyes

Most of these allergens are usually harmful to people who are not allergic.

Symptoms

An allergic reaction usually occurs within minutes of an allergic reaction.

They can cause:

Sneeze

nose bleeds or nose bleeds

red, itchy, watery eyes

breathing and cough

a red, itchy rash

Exacerbation of asthma or eczema symptoms

Most allergic reactions are mild, but can sometimes cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

Causes

Allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts as if it is harming a particular substance.

It is not clear why this happens, but most affected people have allergies or closely related conditions such as asthma or eczema.

The number of people suffering from allergies is increasing every year. The reasons for this are not understood, but an important theory is a result of living in a clean, germ-free environment, reducing the number of germs our immune system has to deal with.

It causes a severe reaction when in contact with believed to be harmless substances.

Treatment

In many cases, the best way to manage allergies is to avoid the allergen causing the reaction as much as possible.

For example, if you have food allergies, you should check a list of the foods you are allergic to before eating them. There are many reports about food allergies.

There are several medications that can help control the symptoms of an allergic reaction:

Antihistamines - this can be taken when you notice symptoms of a reaction or before an allergy develops to prevent a reaction from occurring.

Decongestants – tablets, capsules, nasal sprays or liquids that can be used as a short-term treatment for a blocked nose

Lotions and creams such as moisturizing creams (emollients) – reduce skin redness and irritation

steroid medicines - sprays, drops, creams, inhalers, and tablets to reduce redness and swelling caused by allergies

For some people with severe allergies, a treatment called immunotherapy may be prescribed.

This involves exposure to the allergen in a controlled manner over many years, so your body will get used to it and act less on it.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Home Remedies | Totkay

Hepatitis C

Acne | Skin Care | Tips To Follow