Definition
Allergy is an immune response or reaction to substances that are usually harmless.
Allergies are very common. Both genes and the environment play a role.
Immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses. It also reacts to foreign substances called allergens, which are usually harmless and most people do not cause any problems.
But in people with allergies, allergy is an immune response. When it recognizes an allergen, the immune system launches a response. The chemicals such as histamine. These chemicals cause the symptoms of allergies.
Common allergens include:
Drug
Dust
Food
Insect venom
Template
Pets and other animal dander
Vaccine
Some people are allergic like reactions to temperatures hot or cold, sunlight, or other environmental triggers. Sometimes, friction (rubbing or roughly stroking the skin) cause symptoms.
Are not usually allergic to down pass through families (inherited). However, if both parents of your allergies, you are also prone to allergies.
Symptoms
Part of the body to affect sensitivity to affect symptoms develop. For example:
Allergens that often cause breathing and stuffy nose, itchy nose and throat, and the production of mucus, coughing and wheezing.
May allergens affecting the eyes cause itchy watery and red, puffy eyes.
Can eat anything you are allergic to cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, or severe, life-threatening reaction.
Sensitivity can touch the skin causes rashes, hives, itching, blisters, or peeling skin.
Drug allergies usually involve the whole body and can lead to a variety of symptoms.
Signs and tests
The health care provider perform a physical exam and ask questions, such as allergies when it happens.
There may be a need allergy testing to see whether actual or sensitivity symptoms are caused by other problems. For example, eating contaminated food (food poisoning) causes symptoms similar to food allergies. Some medications (such as aspirin and ampicillin) production is allergies, including skin rashes. Have a runny nose or cough actually be due to injury.
Skin testing is the most common method of allergy testing. One type of skin test is the prick test. It involves placing a small amount of suspected allergens on the skin, then a little tingling area until the substance is moving under the skin. Closely watched for signs of skin reaction, which include swelling and redness. Skin test may be an option for some young children and infants.
Other types of skin tests are testing intradermal patch. For more information, see: allergy testing
And blood tests can measure the levels of sensitivity of the relevant materials, especially those immunoglobulin E called (IGE).
Called a complete blood count (CBC) and white blood cells eosinophils allergies may also help in the diagnosis of the disease.
In some cases, the doctor may tell you to avoid certain items to see if you get better, or to use the elements suspected to see if you feel worse. This so-called "test or use of the judiciary." And this is often used to check food allergies or medications.
Doctors may also check the reaction to physical stimuli through the application of heat and cold, or other stimulation to your body and watch an allergic reaction.
Sometimes, being a solution to the sensitivity of the suspects and fell in the lower eyelid to check the sensitivity. Should only be done by health care providers.
Treatment
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) need to be treated with a drug called epinephrine, which can be life-saving when given immediately. If you use epinephrine, call 911 and go straight to the hospital.
The best way to reduce symptoms is to avoid what is causing your allergies. This is particularly important for the sensitivity of the Food and Drug Administration.
There are several types of medications to prevent and treat allergies. Doctor of medicine recommends depends on the type and severity of your symptoms, your age, and general health.
Diseases that are caused by allergies (such as asthma, hay fever and eczema) need other treatments.
Drugs that can be used to treat allergies include:
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are available on prescription and prescription. They are available in many forms, including:
Capsules and pills
Eye drops
Injection
Liquid
Nasal spray
Cortical
Anti-inflammatory drugs (cortisone) are available in many forms, including:
Creams and ointments for skin
Eye drops
Nasal spray
Lung inhalation
Can be described patients who suffer from severe allergy symptoms pill or corticosteroid injections for short periods of time.
Decongestants
Can help relieve congestion and a stuffy nose. Do not use a nasal spray decongestant for more than several days, because they can cause "rebound" effect and make the congestion worse. Decongestants in pill form do not cause this problem. Should people with high blood pressure and heart problems, or use decongestants prostate enlargement caution.
Other medicines
Leukotriene inhibitors are drugs that prevent materials trigger allergies. Zafirlukast (Accolate) and Montelukast (Singulair) is approved for people who suffer from asthma and allergies in the indoor and outdoor.
Sensitivity SHOTS
It is recommended in some cases, allergy shots (immunotherapy) If you can not avoid allergens and symptoms difficult to control. Allergy shots to keep your body from excessive interaction of sensitivity. You will get regular injections of the allergen. Each dose is slightly larger than last dose until a maximum dose. These shots do not work for everyone and you will have to visit the doctor often.
Support Groups
And can be easily treated more sensitive to the drug.
Some children may outgrow allergies, especially food allergies. However, once the substance and triggered an allergic reaction, it is still usually the impact on the person.
Allergy shots are most effective when used to treat people who suffer the symptoms of hay fever and severe allergies to insect bite. They are not used for the treatment of food allergies because of the risk of a severe reaction.
Allergy shots require years of therapy, but it works in most cases. However, they may cause uncomfortable side effects (such as hives, rashes) and hazardous results (such as anaphylaxis).
Complications
Anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reactions)
Breathing problems and discomfort during an allergic reaction
Drowsiness and side effects of other drugs
Call your health care provider your
Call for an appointment with your doctor if:
Severe symptoms of allergies occur
Allergy treatment no longer works
Prevent
Breastfeeding can help prevent or reduce allergies in children fed only in this way for a period of 4 to 6 months. However, changing diet of the mother during pregnancy or while breastfeeding did not seem to help prevent allergies.
For most children, changing diet or using special formulas does not seem to prevent allergic reactions. If a parent or sibling, or other family members have a history of eczema and allergies, and discuss with the doctor to feed your baby.
There is also evidence that exposure to certain allergens (such as dust mites and cat dander) in the first year of life may prevent some allergies. This so-called "hygiene hypothesis". This came from the observation that children on farms tend to be less sensitive than those who grow up in more sterile environments. However, older children do not seem to benefit from them.
Once had developed allergies, allergy treatment, Allergy and avoid carefully can prevent reactions in the future.a