Allergy Information

An allergy occurs, when a person becomes sensitized to a particular substance, that provokes an allergic reaction. These substances are known as allergens, or triggers, because they trigger an overreaction by the bodys immune system. There are naturally occurring allergens, such as pollens, environmental substances, such as chemicals, and the foods that we eat, usually proteins, amongst many others.

There are four distinct ways in which allergens can enter the body:

Eating - as with certain foods.
Inhalation - as with dust mites and pollen.
Absorption - through the skin, as with some chemicals and plants.
Injection - some people are allergic to drugs, such as penicillin.

When an allergic person encounters an allergen, for the first time, the symptoms do not occur, but the immune system becomes sensitized. Think of it, as becoming ready to resist allergens, that it mistakenly considers to be invaders, intent on doing harm to the body.

Having become hypersensitized to a particular substance, the next time the immune system encounters a similar allergen; it automatically mass-produces antibodies to deal with the perceived threat. The antibodies bind with the allergens, and as they circulate throughout the body, they react with other cells. Then substances, including histamine, cause inflammation, which is a common allergy symptom. Allergies vary from person to person, and the symptoms range from something as mild as a runny nose, to anaphylaxis, which is sometimes fatal.

Diagnoses and Testing

When it is appropriate, skin testing is preferable to blood testing, because it is more specific, easier to do, and costs less. However, your doctor will know what is best suited to your condition.

Treatment

Physicians, who are specialists in dealing with allergic diseases, undergo extensive training. In the United States a minimum of nine years is required to qualify as an allergist immunologist. It is reassuring to know that very significant improvements in medical treatments have been developed by allergists. They include fast acting epinephrine tablets, low allergy foods, and advances in dealing with yellow jacket (wasp) stings.

Immunotherapy

When immunotherapy is considered an appropriate treatment, it may either reduce the severity of an allergy or cure it completely. It involves injecting progressively increased doses, of the allergen, identified as causing the symptoms. There have been encouraging results in dealing with rhinitis and asthma.

Medicinal Drugs

Various drugs are used to counter the symptoms of allergy including, antihistamines, cortisone, hydrocortisone, theophlene, epinephrine, and dexamethosone. Some preparations are available over the counter, but it is always wise to find out from your doctor, what is suitable for your own allergy.

Summary

It is not known precisely why some people suffer from allergies, whilst others do not. Studies suggest that there is a hereditary factor with some allergies.

What does seem sure is that the incidence of allergies is on the increase, and that it seems to have something to do with contemporary living.

For instance, offices have become air tight, with windows that opened giving way to air conditioning. That being said the quality of the outside air, particularly in conurbations, is questionable. On a global basis, rain forests are being cut down, whilst motor vehicles are increasing. Add the development of the emerging nations, and you have a recipe for industrial soup.

It has been suggested that many Chinese develop hay fever, after moving to the United States, for three or more years. More recently, there has been much publicity about industrial pollution in Beijing, and other cities. It seems that the time may soon arrive, when the good citizens of China will have their own, home grown variety of rhinitis! Will the sweet smell of success be accompanied by allergic respiratory disorders if it does it must prove something!

Important

The content of this article is for general information only, and should not be used as a substitute for the medical advice of your doctor, or other medically qualified adviser. Always seek advice from your doctor, before deciding whether a particular product or treatment, is suitable for your condition.

Please be aware that what suits one allergy sufferer might be inappropriate for another. You should not act on any advice you have read, either in this article or anywhere else, without the full approval of your doctor.

The author cannot accept any liability whatsoever, for any consequences arising from or thought to be arising from using this article.

Richard Wise writes articles on natural health, aromatherapy, herbal remedies, antioxidants, allergies and vegetarianism. If you require to know about allergies please visit his web site http://www.allergy-check.com which includes information concerning food allergy, and many other specific allergies.

Allergy Drops and Sublingual Immunotherapy
Many people who find their allergy symptoms are starting to control their life often look to immunotherapy for a solution the their allergy problems. The problem is once they find out the length of time and the number of doctor visits required for im...

How to Deal with Skin Allergy
AllergyAllergy is body hypersensitivity to some substance. Our body can react by breathing system allergy (rhinitis and asthma), intestine allergy (diarrhea) and skin allergy. Skin allergy may occur in the form of mild skin redness until dermatitis, ...

What Makes Seasonal Allergies So Bad Some Years?
Many people who suffer from seasonal allergies often find some years they have little or no allergy symptoms, than the next year their allergies may return with vengeance and they suffer day to day the entire allergy season. This is one reason why p...

You May Be in Need of an Allergy Treatment
A lot of people are suffering from allergies and simply dont have an idea about it. They sniff and sneeze every ten minutes and still they consider it a minor cold. This is not the case, and if you are one of them, you should prepare yourself to lear...

Allergy And Deodorant Connection
The connection between your allergy and deodorant is not that you may be allergic to an ingredient in the product. In addition, your diet and nutrition is playing such an important role that if paid attention to could actually eliminate your allergy ...

Determine The Difference Between A Food Allergy And A Food Intolerance
It is important that you determine if you are having a food intolerance versus a food allergy, if eating a specific food causes you to suffer from some symptoms. Many people mistake and confuse the two together. Finding out the difference between th...

How To Spot Food Allergy Symptoms
You just may notice that there are times when you eat a particular food item and you then experience some discomfort. You also just may notice that this occurrence is quite consistent to some extent already. But has it ever crossed your mind that the...

Food Allergy
Just what is a food allergy? Some people mistake that having a food allergy means that the food is bad for them. In one sense of the word it is, however having a food allergy simply means your immune system mistakes certain foods as being harmful. Th...

Dog Allergies And Grooming
Dog allergies are a result of exposure to dog dander which is really just dead skin. Unfortunately dander when inhaled causes problems for many people. There are ways to reduce dander and other related allergy problems that your dog may be causing. D...

Living With An MSG Allergy
Are you allergic to MSG? If you have a MSG allergy, you need to understand what it is and what foods might contain MSG. MSG is used to add to the flavor of foods or to bring out the taste of the food more. Chinese foods usually contain this taste en...