Allergies Defined Reaction of the body's immune system against percieved allergens.
Types of Allergies and what causes allergies There are varied types of allergies among them is food allergy...
Allergies Symptoms there are a few symptoms for allergy, including watery eyes, sneezing and...
Allergy Testing and Diagnosis testing and diagnosis is done by a competent doctor this is done by...

What are allergies? The immune system is responsible for the identification and destruction of foreign substances that enters the body. Normally the immune system acts as the body's defense against disease-causing microorganisms and substances. However for some people, the immune system mistakes perfectly harmless substances for germs and in response, it releases certain compounds to destroy the perceived "enemy". This results to allergic reaction. Some people may show allergic reaction to one substance, but others may manifest allergic reaction to many substances which we call allergens.

Allergens may cause an allergic reaction when they come in contact with skin or the eye, when they are inhaled, eaten, or are injected. An allergic reaction can occur as part of a seasonal allergy (such as hay fever). Or an allergic reaction can be triggered by taking a drug, eating certain foods, or breathing in dust or animal dander.

Symptoms of allergies may include:

• Watery and itchy eye
• Runny nose,
• Sneezing (hayfever, rhinitis)
• Nasal congestion
• Swelling around the mouth, nose and throat
• Itchy skin
• Swelling of
• Rashes (inclding hives and eczema)
• Swelling of the skin
• Wheezing and coughing (asthma)
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
• Lowering of blood pressure
• Light headedness, weakness, and anaphylaxis
• Collapse or loss of conciousness
• In severe cases may cause death

 

Food allergy. Allergy caused by eating allergenic foods that cause allergic reaction Food allergy may include:

• Peanuts
• Milk
• Wheat
• Wallnuts, pecans, etc
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Eggs
  

Medication Allergy. Allergy caused by taking medications that cause allergic reaction.

• Penicillin
• Allopurinol
• Sulfa antibiotics
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs (NSAIDS, such as asprin and ibuprofen)
• Muscle relaxants
  

Insect allergy. Allergy caused by insect bites that belongs to the Hymenoptera order of insects. Bites from insect that cause allergic reaction are from

• Bees
• Hornet
• Ants
• Wasps
• Yellow jackets

Latex allergy. Allergy caused by contact to latex materials. Common latex materials that cause allergic reaction are

• Rubber bands
• Carpet backing
• Hospital and dental equipment
• Rubber (latex) gloves
• Balloons
• Condoms
  

Exercise induced Anaphylaxis: Allergy due to exercise-induced Anaphylaxis develops allergic reaction after doing some strenuous exercise

Allergic Conjunctivitis and Eye allergy. Allergic reaction is usually caused by pollen, house dust mites and animal dander

Hay Fever . Hay fever, asthma and eczema are all related allergy conditions and the tendency to develop them runs in families. Most people with hay fever have allergic reaction to grass and oilseed rape pollens, which appear from April to August each year. People who are sensitive to pollen from hazel, yew, elm and alder may develop allergy symptoms from January to April, and people allergic to nettles and other weeds can be affected from April to mid-September.

Allergic Rhinitis. Allergic reaction is caused by exposure to house-dust mite, but there are others, including allergens from animals such as cats, dogs, and horses. Certain foods, drugs and chemicals can also trigger allergic reaction.

 

1. First step is to determine if the reaction is allergic. This is usually done by a doctor.
2. Establish if there are other members of the family or close relatives that have allergy
3. Blood test for eosinophils - a white blood cell produced during allergy attack
4. Identify possible allergens that may have triggered the allergic reaction
5. History of recent contacts or intake (eating, drinking or injection) of possible allergens that may have triggered the allergic reaction.
6. Skin prick test - solution of allergen is dropped to the skin and then pricked by a needle. The formation of wheal (elevated swelling) and flare (surrounding the wheal of well defined redness) within 15 to 20 minutes would give a positive allergic reaction. Allergen solution may also be injected to provide a more detailed result.
7. Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is used when skin tests to trigger allergic reaction cannot be used-for example, when a skin rash is widespread.

References:

1. The Merck Manual Home Edition Online reference guide.
2. National Center for Complementary Medicine and Alernative Medicine Website
3. M. Castleman, "Blended Medicine, Best Choices of Healing.
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allergy
5. Kay AB (2000). "Overview of 'allergy and allergic diseases: with a view to the future'". Br. Med. Bull
6. Holgate ST (1998). "Asthma and allergy--disorders of civilization?"
7. Rusznak C, Davies RJ (1998). "ABC of allergies. Diagnosing allergy".
8. Golden DB (2007). "Insect sting anaphylaxis". Immunol Allergy Clin North Am
9. Jarvis D, Burney P (1997) Epidemiology of atopy and atopic disease In: Kay AB (ed) Allergy and allergic diseases, vol 2. Blackwell Science London