Medline Plus defines an allergy as a "...reaction of your immune system to something that does not bother most other people." The most common allergies are reactions to food, pollen, insect stings, medicines, pet dander, mold and dust. Most people who have allergies react negatively to numerous substances. Allergies directly affect the health of the sufferer, sometimes with mild reactions that include sneezing and nasal congestion, but may include the form of skin hives and digestive problems.
Identification
Allergy symptoms vary with each person, but the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, known as the AAAAI, notes that common allergic reactions include a runny nose, watering eyes and sneezing. Nearly 50 million people suffer from allergic reactions that include allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever; urticaria, a form of skin bumps; asthma, a lung disease; and additional allergies to food, insects and medications. Allergic conjunctivitis, a type of allergy that includes swelling and reddened skin, is also common.
Features
The AAAAI notes that allergic reactions involve the skin, the lining of the stomach and changes in the ears, nose, throat and lungs. Skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis, are linked to allergic reactions. Allergic conjunctivitis is identified by red and peeling skin. Itching and red hives signal a possible case of urticaria. Coughing and wheezing result from airborne and ingested triggers. In some cases, allergic, or extrinsic, asthma develops, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Considerations
Two officials of the Education for Health in Warwick, UK--Samantha Walker, Ph.D., director of education and research, and Annie Wing, assistant director of education--reported in the "Journal of Family Health Care" in January 2010, that nearly 25 percent of the people living in Britain have some type of allergy, many of which began in childhood. Food allergies and skin diseases related to allergies are common in babies and youngsters. The AAAAI notes that asthma and allergic conjunctivitis commonly first occur in childhood.
Time Frame
Some allergies affect health more severely during certain seasons. Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, first occurs during the spring and continues through fall, but some sufferers feel effects year-round, according to the AAAAI. Winter season allergic reactions include higher incidents of pet, mold and dust mite reactions because of the lack of circulating fresh air. Seasonal food allergies also affect people with sensitivities to food.
Diagnosis
Allergies are never cured, but their severity and health impact can be minimized. The first step in reducing the health effects of allergies is to identify substances the body reacts to as allergen invaders. Specialist doctors do this by testing blood for antibody immunoglobulin E, known as IgE, after exposure to allergens.
Treatment
Allergists and immunologists plan an individualized treatment program that includes avoiding allergens by washing, as well as home preparation to remove or minimize triggers--such as carpeting and draperies that capture dust and mold spores. Prescription medications may also be prescribed, including decongestants, antihistamines, nasal sprays containing cromolyn sodium, and eye drops. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that in extreme cases a course of allergy shots called immunotherapy assists in training the body's immune system to ignore the allergens.
References
- Medline Plus: Allergy
- American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: Tips to Remember: Allergic Reactions
- Family Doctor.org: Allergies: Things You Can Do to Control Your Symptoms
- PubMed.gov: "Journal of Family Healthy Care"; Allergies in Children; S. Walker and A. Wing; 2010
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: Asthma Overview
