Allergy

When a person who is allergic to a particular allergen comes in contact with it, an allergic reaction occurs. This reaction begins when the allergen (for example, pollen grains) enters the body and causes special cells in the body tissues to make a chemical called an antibody. When the allergen comes in contact with the antibodies, a substance called histamine is released. Histamine causes allergic reaction and results in swelling and inflammation.

Following are the precautions to be taken to prevent allergy:

1. If one has food allergies, the only way to avoid allergic reactions is to avoid allergic foods. After allergen is identified the food(s) should be removed from the diet.
2. Eating good amount of fresh fruits and vegetables improves the immunity and develops resistance against allergens.
3. Wear full-sleeved clothes and closed shoes. Apply insect-repellent cream when travelling outdoors.
4. Wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth while travelling.

Medication in the treatment of common allergies includes:

1. Antihistamines — Antihistamines are available as pills, nasal sprays or eye drops. They prevent symptoms such as hives by blocking histamines receptors so our body does not react to the allergens.
2. Decongestants — Decongestants are used to clear a stuffy nose, especially in case of seasonal allergy.
3. Bronchodilators and steroids — Bronchodilators give instant relief from chest tightness and wheezing. Steroids reduce the inflammation of bronchioles. Asthma patients need to take regular doses of these medicines.
4. Creams and lotions — Creams and lotions reduce swelling, redness and itching.

The causes of asthma are:

1. Can be passed on from parents to their children
2. Certain respiratory infections
3. Contact with air-borne allergens such as tobacco smoke, pollen grains, chemicals, dust, mites or some food substances.
4. Cold and cough

Following are the ways to prevent it:

1. A person suffering from asthma should know about the allergens causing asthma.
2. Medicines should be taken after consultation with a doctor.
3. Hygienic and healthy lifestyle should be maintained.
4. Regular checkups for asthma should be done.

Allergy is defined as a reaction or response of our immune system to specific substances that are normally harmless.

For example:

1. Skin Rashes due to strong sunlight
2. Sneezing and Runny nose due to dust

A substance that causes allergic reactions is called allergen.

For example:

1. Dust
2. Pollen

Hay fever is the most common type of allergy that is caused due to pollen grains, dust, mites, moulds and animal hairs.

When the allergy occurs at a particular time of the year, it is called seasonal allergy.

For example, regular sneezing and coughing during winter indicates seasonal allergy; and allergy to pollen grains is very common during spring season.

Perennial allergy are allergy that are not linked to any particular season and can occur at any time of the year. Allergy to dust and insect bites are the examples of perennial allergy.

Allergy — Allergy is defined as a reaction or response of our immune system to specific substances that are normally harmless.

Allergen — A substance that causes allergic reactions is called allergen.

Allergist — The doctor who diagnoses and treats allergy is called allergist.

Anaphylaxis — Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening reaction that can impair breathing and send the body into shock.

Allergies caused due to sunlight exposure are seasonal allergies.

When the pollen grains come in contact with the antibodies, a substance called histamine is released.

Higher the IgE antibody value, greater the chances of allergic symptoms.

Hay fever is also known as allergic rhinitis.

Wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth while travelling.

Symptoms of hay fever are:

1. Runny nose
2. Itchy eyes, mouth or skin

Symptoms of dust allergy are:

1. Sneezing
2. Wheezing or coughing and shortness of breath

Symptoms of Nettlerash are:

1. Raised itchy bumps on skin, which are either red or skin coloured.
2. They resemble bug bites and can appear on any area of the body

Symptoms of eczema are:

1. Itching of skin
2. Redness of skin

Symptoms of asthma are:

1. Persistent coughing that worsen at night or early in the morning.
2. Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.

It seems that Lily is allergic to dust. Dust allergy causes narrowing of the wind pipe and coughing. All other medications have failed because allergic cough cannot be treated with normal medicines. But medicines like Bronchodilators and steroids provide instant relief.

sleeping

Reason — Sleeping is not an allergic symptom but a normal state of rest of our body.

water

Reason — Water does not cause any type of allergy.

surgery

Reason — Diagnosis of allergy is done by scratch test, blood test and skin test.

hay fever

Reason — Hay fever is caused due to pollen grains.

asthama

Reason — Asthma is a long-term lung disease in which the air passage in the lungs swells and narrows down.

One allergic response of each of these allergens is listed in the table below: