An allergy is a hypersensitive response by the body's immune system normally attributed to environmental, substances, foods, or drugs. The typical allergic response can include some or all of the following: runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, dark circles under the eyes (especially in children), congestion, asthma, rashes, stomach aches, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, headaches, fatigue, fever, or anaphylactic shock, a serious allergic reaction which can result in death. An adverse reaction to any substance, especially wheezing or difficulty breathing, should be reported to a healthcare practitioner; if it's accompanied by hives, call the doctor immediately.
While difficult cases may take time, proper diagnosis and tracking of allergic responses can often lead to control prevention of undesirable symptoms. Some allergies are simple, such as dog and cat dander, while others occur only if a combination of allergens is present. Confounding the effort to identify allergens are the multiple points of entry to the body; allergens may enter via the eyes, nose, mouth, or skin.
Here are the four general categories of allergens that affect people most:
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products: Drug allergies and drug reactions are fairly commonplace today with the advent of so many new types of drugs. While most drug reactions are not life threatening, some individuals experience an anaphylactic reaction (generalized swelling, breathing difficulties, and a drop in blood pressure), which can be fatal. Most individuals and parents of children older than seven generally know if they have allergies to medications. The obvious solution is avoiding drugs and the family of similar drugs when medical attention is required. It's especially important that a drug or sensitivity is recorded in your permanent medical chart.
Chemicals: Environmental chemicals and foods additives, including pesticide residues, are two major sources of chemical allergies. Some chemicals may actually weaken the immune system's ability to function optimally, further complicating allergic symptoms.
Environmental allergens: Pollen, mold spores, fungus, grass, poison ivy, dust mites, animal dander and hair or the protein residue from salivary licking of hair, and insect bites are hard to pin down and eliminate. Most of these triggers produce reactions that affect the respiratory system and are quite bothersome.
Lifestyle suggestions:
- Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Avoid airborne triggers including pollution and chemicals, and stay away from smoking areas.
- Consume a healthy diet that supports the immune system. Don't eat highly refined foods, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating, reduce saturated and hydrogenated fats and replace with olive oil, high-oleic safflower oil, and omega-3 oils
- Drink plenty of purified water: one-half your body weight in ounces per day. If you weight 100 lbs., then drink 50 oz. Or more every day to help flush allergens out of your system.
- Remove any blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, drapes, or rugs that can be dust catchers or harbor dust mites. Replace with good-quality hypoallergenic products. If removal or replacement isn't possible, wash frequently I hot water, or occasionally put the stuffed animal the freezer overnight to kill dust mites.
- Change air filters regularly and have heating and air conditioning ducts professionally cleaned.
- Use chemical cleaners carefully and cautiously. It may be prudent to use gloves and a respiratory mask when using cleaners; if latex gloves irritate your skin, use vinyl.
- If the dog or cat is a problem, get rid of the animal. If that's not possible, do what you can - stay away from the animal, or at least keep it out of the rooms you spend the most time in.
- During allergy seasons, stay indoors, especially on windy days, and away from any areas with a dense plant growth.
- Invest in an air-purifier system for your office, home, and especially your bedroom.
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