An Allergy Primer for You
By definition, an allergy is an inflammation caused by certain irritants called allergens.
Allergens can take many forms.
A very common type is nick named "hay fever" and is caused by certain pollens in the air.
Hay fever is called a "seasonal" allergy, because it affects people only at those times of year the pollen in commonly airborne.
Other people experience allergies to foods or animals.
Allergies come in different intensities.
Watery eyes or a runny nose may define a mild allergy.
An over-the-counter antihistamine or one needing a prescription can usually overcome this.
Simple location awareness can be practiced.
If you know which pollens you are allergic to, stay away from those types of plants.
This is more difficult if you're allergic to plants found everywhere, like grass.
In these cases you may want to consider getting allergy shots.
Medium levels of allergies can be characterized by more constant sneezing, as well as swelling of various affected parts of the body.
Very bad allergy attacks can actually be life threatening.
For example, a mold allergy may make the respiratory paths swell to the point of being unable to breathe.
Antihistamines, steroids and immunotherapy can all be used to decrease these symptoms.
Food allergies can be particularly dangerous.
Peanuts, milk and eggs are the most common sources of food allergies.
Sensitivities can result in airway blockages as described above, as well as abdominal twinges and cramps.
Itchy rashes can also appear; first on the more sensitive skin areas, such as the back of the neck or inside of the arms, then spreading all over.
These rashes are usually the last symptom to go away.
They can be treated with a cortisone cream.
Another common allergy is to insect stings.
When severe, these can also be life threatening.
Everyone is allergic to bee stings.
That's why they cause a minor swelling at the point of insertion.
Most of us, however, can get stung, put a band-aid on it and forget it.
A person with a severe bee allergy could die within minutes of getting stung from airway blockage.
This requires such people to carry medicine such as epinephrine with them at all times.
Animal/pet allergies are often the hardest to identify.
You can have allergic symptoms for months after exposure to the allergen animal.
This makes it difficult to identify what it is you're allergic to.
Many people know they are allergic to dogs or cats, but still feel the need to have one around them.
There are ways to do this, as long as your allergy isn't too severe.
There are dogs that don't shed, which are usually the best types for allergy sufferers.
These are poodles, schnauzers and many terriers.
You might try keeping an outdoor dog, as that will keep the allergens away from your own living area.
If your pet does stay indoors, vacuum the carpet every day and the drapery every month using a HEPA filter.
This will help alleviate your symptoms.
Another thing that may be necessary is to keep your cat or dog from sleeping on your bed.
Since you sleep about a third of each day, having your allergens sleep next to you will reduce your rest and perhaps have you symptom-ridden the next day.
You may also want to consider showering before bed to get rid of any hair and dander clinging to you.
If you're still having problems, ban pets from the bedroom altogether.
Then you'll have one allergy-free haven to which you can escape.
Allergens can take many forms.
A very common type is nick named "hay fever" and is caused by certain pollens in the air.
Hay fever is called a "seasonal" allergy, because it affects people only at those times of year the pollen in commonly airborne.
Other people experience allergies to foods or animals.
Allergies come in different intensities.
Watery eyes or a runny nose may define a mild allergy.
An over-the-counter antihistamine or one needing a prescription can usually overcome this.
Simple location awareness can be practiced.
If you know which pollens you are allergic to, stay away from those types of plants.
This is more difficult if you're allergic to plants found everywhere, like grass.
In these cases you may want to consider getting allergy shots.
Medium levels of allergies can be characterized by more constant sneezing, as well as swelling of various affected parts of the body.
Very bad allergy attacks can actually be life threatening.
For example, a mold allergy may make the respiratory paths swell to the point of being unable to breathe.
Antihistamines, steroids and immunotherapy can all be used to decrease these symptoms.
Food allergies can be particularly dangerous.
Peanuts, milk and eggs are the most common sources of food allergies.
Sensitivities can result in airway blockages as described above, as well as abdominal twinges and cramps.
Itchy rashes can also appear; first on the more sensitive skin areas, such as the back of the neck or inside of the arms, then spreading all over.
These rashes are usually the last symptom to go away.
They can be treated with a cortisone cream.
Another common allergy is to insect stings.
When severe, these can also be life threatening.
Everyone is allergic to bee stings.
That's why they cause a minor swelling at the point of insertion.
Most of us, however, can get stung, put a band-aid on it and forget it.
A person with a severe bee allergy could die within minutes of getting stung from airway blockage.
This requires such people to carry medicine such as epinephrine with them at all times.
Animal/pet allergies are often the hardest to identify.
You can have allergic symptoms for months after exposure to the allergen animal.
This makes it difficult to identify what it is you're allergic to.
Many people know they are allergic to dogs or cats, but still feel the need to have one around them.
There are ways to do this, as long as your allergy isn't too severe.
There are dogs that don't shed, which are usually the best types for allergy sufferers.
These are poodles, schnauzers and many terriers.
You might try keeping an outdoor dog, as that will keep the allergens away from your own living area.
If your pet does stay indoors, vacuum the carpet every day and the drapery every month using a HEPA filter.
This will help alleviate your symptoms.
Another thing that may be necessary is to keep your cat or dog from sleeping on your bed.
Since you sleep about a third of each day, having your allergens sleep next to you will reduce your rest and perhaps have you symptom-ridden the next day.
You may also want to consider showering before bed to get rid of any hair and dander clinging to you.
If you're still having problems, ban pets from the bedroom altogether.
Then you'll have one allergy-free haven to which you can escape.
