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Allergies are common throughout the population and as a result cause people a lot of discomfort and inconvenience. The amount of people experiencing allergic reactions is on the up, but with the correct knowledge, we can help prevent some of the irritating symptoms.
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What is an allergy?
The chances are that you know someone with an allergy, or perhaps you have one yourself. Allergies are very common but are also diverse in type, symptoms and severity. People can be allergic to anything from peanuts to the sun. The allergic reaction is a response from the body's immune system that causes symptoms of disease. The immune system can mistake certain substances that are normally harmless, as foreign bodies and therefore try and attack it as if it was a germ. When an allergen enters or contacts the body a chemical called histamine is released which has been known to cause inflammation, runny noses, itching etc. Below are a few different allergies, explained in brief:
Hay Fever: We've all heard of it and a lot of us suffer from the affects. Around 35 million people in America suffer from hay fever and around 20% of the whole population of Britain experiences the symptoms of hay fever. Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a seasonal allergy to the pollen in the air. The symptoms of hay fever are very similar to those of a cold and can cause a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. Although hay fever, to some may be a mere annoyance or inconvenience, to others, it may reach the stage where the allergy disrupts their daily life. For example, someone who drives to work may find that with the severity of their symptoms, they can no longer drive - due to watery eyes, sneezing attacks etc. Hay fever is not necessarily a long-term allergy. It usually begins in the early teens and then becomes most prevalent in the twenties. However, as you get older, it is likely that your body will build a tolerance to pollen and you will suffer no affects at all.
Food Allergies: Whereas hay fever is an allergy that is commonly an inconvenience for sufferers, food allergies are less common but can be more serious. You may have seen notices on the back of food products stating 'may contain nut traces'. This is because, people who suffer the symptoms of nut allergies can be seriously affected and can even be put at risk of death if they experience a reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis, is a very sever allergic reaction and can be caused by just minimal amounts of the problem food. The affects can be quick to appear and can take hours to disappear. The symptoms can include problems breathing (asthma), rashes, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Dust Mites: It may sound disgusting, but dust mites are tiny creatures (too small to see without a telescope), that live in all of our houses. They feed on the dead skin that we shed every day and night. It is what the dust mites leave behind that can cause some people to experience an allergic reaction. The droppings of the mites, when in contact with the skin or breathed in through the nose and mouth can, in some people trigger allergic reactions. The allergic reactions that can be experienced from dust mites are very similar to those of hay fever or a cold. However, it is possible that some people will experience symptoms of asthma from breathing in dust.
Pet Allergies: People love their pets but they can sometimes cause an allergic reaction. The saliva, hair, urine etc from a pet produces proteins that once in contact with the skin or breathed in through the nose and mouth, can cause an allergic reaction similar to those in hay fever and asthma. Cats and dogs seem to be the most common cause of pet allergies but people can also be allergic to other household pets. Pet allergies can be problematic, as you may still suffer symptoms even if a pet is not present in your house. The pet allergens can be passed on from other people who have pets - in a work place, school or anywhere with close contact.
Latex Allergies: Latex is a natural rubber that comes from the liquid of tropical rubber trees. Latex is a very popular material which can be found in toys, balloons, condoms, elastic bands, baby products such as the nipple on the end of a bottle and many more. Some people can develop a latex allergy which can cause them rashes, itchiness, coughing and symptoms that are similar to those of hay fever, such as, sneezing and runny eyes and nose. Latex allergies can, in some people be potentially fatal.
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| Dust mites are in all of our houses and can cause allergic reactions.
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How do I know if I have an Allergy?
If you experience any of the below symptoms, it is possible that you have an allergy towards something:
- Coughing
- Problems breathing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Itchiness
- Runny Nose
- Runny Eyes
- Rash
Although the above are common symptoms of an allergy, experiencing any of them does not necessarily mean that you are allergic to something. You should analyse when and where it is that your symptoms are apparent. For example, if you experience diarrhea and vomiting after eating a meal, it may be that there was something wrong with the food rather than you having an allergy. Of course, if you are unsure about anything, you should always seek a professional opinion from your doctor.
It is important to have your allergy diagnosed by a doctor as you can then start to actively avoid what it is you are allergic to. If your family has a history of allergies then this will significantly increase your chances of having one yourself. Talk to your family members and find out if they experience or have, in the past experienced any allergies. Keep a note of any family medical history as this will help your doctor with their diagnosis.
Your doctor may wish to give you a physical exam to determine your symptoms and to see if anything else could be the cause. There are certain tests that your doctor can do to detect if you have an allergy and what it is that you are allergic to. A prick skin test can be conducted to help determine what it is that you are allergic to. It works by placing a very small amount of whatever it is that is possibly causing your symptoms on your skin. The doctor will then prick your skin. If a red bump appears where the skin was pricked, then it is likely that you are allergic to that specific allergen.
What Causes Allergies?
It is believed that allergies are linked to heredity and if your parents have an allergy, it is likely that you will have one too.
However, the actual cause for allergies is down to an oversensitive immune system. Usually our immune systems function as a vital infection-fighting tool in our bodies. However, sometimes the immune system makes mistakes and believes certain substances, that are normally harmless, to be a danger to the body. When allergens enter the body, natural chemicals such as histamines are released which cause irritations such as itching, rashes, swelling etc.
Most symptoms experienced by sufferers of allergies can be inconvenient, irritable and uncomfortable but are not usually life-threatening. However, some people do experience life-threatening symptoms which are called anaphylaxis.
There are countless things in the world that can cause people to have an allergic reaction, from peanuts, pollen and dairy products to the sun, light and pets. The reaction that people experience will usually affect the area where the allergen entered the body. For example, if the allergen enters the body through the nose or mouth (such as with pollen) then the irritation will be mostly experienced in these areas. If the allergen is rubbed onto the skin (such as with latex gloves or dust mites), then it will be the skin that will react.
How can I Treat My Allergies?
Everyone's allergy experiences will be different and will involve different levels of severity, occurrence and symptoms. For this reason, no one treatment will work for all allergies and for all allergy sufferers alike. However, there are options to look into for treatment and steps you can take to reduce your chances of experiencing the symptoms of your allergy.
Probably the most obvious step to take for preventing your symptoms is to try and avoid what it is you are allergic to. Sometimes this can be difficult and you may have to make a few lifestyle changes which you may not like to do. If you are allergic to your pet then it can be very difficult as you need to make a decision between your pet and your health. Talk to someone about your predicament and be sure that it is your pet that is causing you to experience allergic reactions.
If it is a food that you are allergic to, then the obvious step to take is to cut it out of your diet. This isn't always easy as food allergens are often found in a lot of products. For example, if it is dairy products that you are allergic to, then you will need to change your eating habits that involve milk, cheese, yogurt, cream etc. If it is nuts that cause you problems, you may find yourself checking the back of every product you buy to be sure it hasn't got any traces of nuts in it. Avoiding the things that you are allergic to can be inconvenient and time consuming but can sometimes be the difference between life and death.
For other allergies that are sometimes harder to avoid, such as hay fever, there are a few medications available that will help reduce the symptoms. Below are a few examples:
Antihistamines: As suggested by the name, antihistamines reduce the affects that the chemical histamine causes in the body. They can prevent a sufferer from experiencing runny nose and eyes, sneezing, itching etc. There are two available types of antihistamine; nonprescription and prescription. The nonprescription antihistamines can be bought over-the-counter and can relieve mild to moderate symptoms. However, these tend to cause drowsiness and will perhaps become problematic for children going to school or an adult at work. Antihistamines are also available as a prescription from your doctor. This type of antihistamine tends to cause less drowsiness.
Decongestants: If, as a result of your allergy, you experience nose congestion, then there are nasal prays available that constrict the vessels in your nose which in turn reduces swelling and irritation.
Epinephrine: Some people who experience anaphylaxis - a potentially fatal reaction - can inject themselves with epinephrine, which is an adrenalin. Epinephrine can help reduce blood pressure and restore a healthy heart rate.
Immunotherapy: In some cases you could discuss the possibility of immunotherapy with your doctor. This is a treatment that is designed to reduce the sensitivity of your immune system to whatever it is that you are allergic to. Your doctor will, over many months, inject the allergens into your body and slowly increase them over time. The idea is that your immune system will gradually gain a tolerance to the allergens and will lose its sensitivity. However, immunotherapy doesn't work for everyone and can be very costly and time consuming. The overall treatment could last up to five years.
Whatever treatment that you think is right for you, it is important to get a professional opinion. Research your allergy in detail and find out what its causes and affects are. Speak to your doctor about anything you are unsure about and make sure that you understand what all of the available treatments are for you.
Living with Allergies.
If you experience any of the symptoms that occur as a result of an allergy then you may discover that you will have to make a few lifestyle changes. Depending on the type and severity of your allergy, you may have to cut food types out of your diet, take new medication, clean your house more often or even reduce the amount of time you spend outside. It is difficult for anyone who changes their life in dramatic ways and it is no different for allergy sufferers.
You should aim to educate yourself about your allergy as much as possible. Ensure that you know what it is that you can do and what it is that you can't do. Look into all of your treatment options and make sure that you understand them all. If your symptoms become severe, then seek medical help.
Take active steps to remove yourself from the cause of your allergy. If you are in shared housing and the other people's lack of cleaning habits result in you suffering from symptoms of a dust mite allergy, talk to them and explain how it affects you.
Allergies can be a mere inconvenience or a lot more serious. However it is affecting you, it is important to stay on top of it and do everything you can to keep your immune system happy.
How can I Help?
It is important for medical researchers to develop their understanding of the immune system and how allergies affect it. By participating in controlled medical trials, you could be the key to discovering a new treatment or even a cure. Clinical trials enable researchers to test new medications for effectiveness and safety. Without medical research and medical trials, it would be extremely difficult to develop the understanding of diseases, infections and allergies and to produce treatments. The people that participate in clinical trials are the most important part of the whole process as, without them, there would be no research.
Medical research studies may be conducted and are carefully designed to answer specific medical questions while protecting participants´ safety. Well conducted medical trials are the fastest and safest way to find improved treatments and preventions for diseases. Clinical trials or interventional trials determine whether experimental preventions, treatments, or new ways of using known therapies are safe and effective under controlled conditions. Observational or natural history studies examine health issues and disease development in groups of people or populations. For more information on current medical trials or to register on the BioTrax database, view the study section at www.biotrax.com.
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