Allergies, also called allergic
diseases, are a number of conditions caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to basically harmless substances in the
environment such pollen, pets’ hair and so on.
With simplified words, an allergy takes
place when the immune system overreacts to a normally harmless substance found
in our daily environment. Substances that can trigger an allergic reaction are:
allergens. These allergens may be in medication, the environment (eg grasses,
molds, pollens) or in the food. Allergy differs from one person to the other
and individuals can have mild allergies or even severe allergies
Here are some facts that you
should about allergies:
Allergies can appear at any time throughout your life.
So many people think that allergy is specific to an age, unfortunately,
it is not. Are you a young mother who developed an allergy following the birth
of your first child? Did you start having allergy signs when you entered menopause?
If allergy symptoms suddenly appear in your life, there is a reason for it.
What do childbirth, menopause have to do with allergies? Well some
modifications in your hormonal profile may trigger your immune system and make
it more vulnerable to some allergens that he used to tolerate before, so,
allergy can occur at any time.
What are these “allergens”?
As we already said, blame your allergies on what we call allergens. There
are commune life substances that your immune system considers as “pathogenic”
(harmful substances), which leads to an excessive reaction toward the, thus
allergy signs. When people with allergies come in contact with an allergen,
like pet dander, mold, pollen, or dust, their immune system reacts excessively. It thinks
that allergen is a damaging antigen and responds by creating an extended inflammation in your skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive system, which explains symptoms like itching, sneezing, breathing difficulties, and watery eyes.
Who is exposed to the risk of
developing allergy?
If you have a clear family history of allergic diseases, it makes yourself
and your children more likely to develop an allergy. If you (or your partner) have
an allergy, your child has a 30% to 50% chance of inheriting the allergic gene
and therefore could develop eczema, asthma, hay fever, food allergy and so on.
If both parents have a history of some allergic condition, your children have a
40% to 60% chance of having a child in the future with some form of allergy.
Neglected mild or severe allergies lead to a poor quality of life.
People who allow their mild or severe allergies to go untreated can
experience major discomfort and long-term degradation of health. They will usually
spend a small fortune trying to treat their symptoms only (rather than treating
the cause), only to end up taking medications / pharmaceuticals that don’t
address the real issue, and end up negatively affecting their health in several
ways.
Allergies are frequently misdiagnosed (and mistreated)
Unfortunately, some doctors are familiar with the concept of not dig deeper
for the real cause, and may consider symptoms as “an ephemeral condition”. They
may be quick to “diagnose” you without proper testing, and then to prescribe
medications that won’t fix the real problem.
What is possible to make in order do to reduce allergens in our environment?
Cut down on dander. Always keep pets out of your bedroom. Vacuum carpets regularly and it is recommended
to replace carpet with hardwood, tile, or linoleum.
Take care when cleaning. Vacuuming and dusting can stir up dust all around, which can easily trigger
an allergic reaction as your body is maybe already
hypersensible. To avoid this, wear a mask when cleaning. Leave your house for a
few hours after cleaning to avoid allergens you’ve stirred up. Also, be sure
that your vacuum has a HEPA filter or special double filter bags to
catch dust.
Keep dust mites at bay. Use allergen-proof covers on
mattresses, pillows and box springs. Zippered plastic covers also do a fine
work. Wash your bedding weekly in hot water and dry in a hot dryer to kill all dust
mites. Keep humidity levels low in your house by using air conditioning or a
dehumidifier.
Keep pollen out. Use an air filter to eliminate pollen from the air, and clean your home
regularly. Use the air conditioner, and change the filter often. in addition,
keep windows and doors in your home closed during pollen outbreak.
Fight mold in your home. Get rid of mold in your house by using water and detergent. Repair indoor
or outdoor leaks. Use a dehumidifier, and clean it often. Mold could be
considered as one of the most important allergens especially in urban region,
so get a grip on mold.
What is a food allergic reaction?
An allergic reaction to food is when the immune system responds excessively
to a normally harmless protein in a particular food. Many allergic reactions
are mild (moderated) and cause minim symptoms, such as a few hives or quick
swelling.. The most serious symptoms of a food allergy are breathing difficulties,
a sudden drop in blood pressure which turns the skin pale and cold or even consciousness
troubles which can be life-threatening. This kind of severe reaction is known
as anaphylaxis. It is crucial for people with serious allergies to have their
trigger allergen correctly identified and carry always an emergency medication.
Moreover, it is so important that individuals and their entourage can recognize
quickly symptoms and know how to use the adrenaline auto injector. Usually food
allergies occur soon after eating the food or within two hours of eating.
Should I change my diet?
So many people make drastic changes to their diet because they have just
got diagnosed with a type of allergy conditions or because they believe simply
they have food allergy. But in reality this
can be bad for your health, because an unbalanced diet can leave you short of vital vitamins and other nutrients. Thus before making any major changes, consider seeing
your doctor, who may be able to refer you to a dietician.
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