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Allergies are an exaggerated immune
response or reaction to substances
that are generally not harmful. Normally
the immune system responds to foreign
micro organisms or particles (like
pollen or dust) by producing specific
antibodies. These antibodies binds
with the molecules or antigens in
the foreign particle in order to protect
the body from infection. Sometimes,
this reaction is triggered by harmless
everyday substances (also called as
allergen ) resulting in allergy.
Allergens enter the body through
four main routes: the airways, the
skin, the gastrointestinal tract,
and the circulatory system. People
with allergies are not equally sensitive
to all allergens. Some may have severe
allergic rhinitis but no food allergies,
for instance, or be extremely sensitive
to nuts but not to any other food.
Allergies may get worse over time.
For example, childhood ragweed allergy
may progress to year-round dust and
pollen allergy. On the other hand,
a person may lose allergic sensitivity.
What causes Allergy?
The substances that cause allergic
disease in sensitized people are known
as allergens. Allergens enter our
body in a variety of ways such as
- inhalation through the nose and the lungs
- ingested by mouth (things
that we eat and drink)
- injected things such as stinging
insects, injectable drugs and
- things that are absorbed through
the skin including poison ivy, oak
and cosmetics
What are the likely symptoms of Allergy
?
Some common symptoms may include
running nose, congestion, or coughing
that occurs pretty much constantly
and last for 10 days. Most allergic
symptoms have a pattern. That is,
pollen allergies appear at the same
time every year. Pet allergies happen
when you are around a certain animal,
or, in many cases, just when you enter
a building where the animal lives.
Dust allergies crop up when you clean
house, shake out rugs or enter a very
dusty building. Wheezing or frequent
coughing could indicate a serious
allergy or asthma.
How does one prevent Allergy?
Avoiding allergens is the best means
of limiting allergic reactions. For
food allergies, there is no effective
treatment except avoidance. By determining
the allergens that are causing reactions,
most people can learn to avoid allergic
reactions from food, drugs, and contact
allergens such as poison ivy or latex.
Airborne allergens are more difficult
to avoid, although keeping dust and
animal dander from collecting in the
house may limit exposure. Cromolyn
sodium can prevent mast cell degranulation,
thereby limiting the allergic response.
What medications are used to treat
allergies?
Your doctor may prescribe medication
based on the kind of allergy you have
developed. The medications used to
treat allergies include antihistamine,
anti-inflammatory, decongestants and
bronchodilators. Below are some of
drugs used to treat allergy.
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