Allergy cause and prevention

Cause of allergy:

Allergic reactions are caused by substances in the environment known as allergens. Almost anything can be an allergen for someone. Allergens contain protein, which is often regarded as a constituent of the food we we eat. In fact it is an organic compound, containing hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, which form an important part of living organisms.
Although hundreds of ordinary substances could trigger allergic reactions, the most common triggers - called allergens - include the following:

• pollens
• molds
• household dust, dust mites and their waste
• animal protein (dander, urine, oil from skin)
• industrial chemicals
• foods
• medicines
• feathers
• insect stings
• cockroaches and their waste

pollen from trees and grasses, house dust mite, moulds, pets such as cats and dogs, insects like wasps and bees, industrial and household chemicals, medicines, and foods such as milk and eggs.

Less common allergens include nuts, fruit and latex.
There are some non-protein allergens which include drugs such as penicillin. For these to cause an allergic response they need to be bound to a protein once they are in the body.
An allergic person's immune system believes allergens to be damaging and so produces a special type of antibody (IgE) to attack the invading material. This leads other blood cells to release further chemicals (including histamine) which together cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Diagnosis of Allergy

Tell the practitioner about your symptoms:

• Do they occur at any particular time of the day or year and how often
• Which part of your body is affected?
• The severity of your symptoms
• Family history of similar complaints
• Self help remedies which seem to help
• Triggers i.e. whether or not there is anything in particular which makes your symptom worse
• If the symptoms appear to be linked to a particular place, i.e. home or work environment?

Answers to these questions can help toward identifying the allergens that cause the reaction.
Even if you know what is causing your allergic reaction, Allergy testing may be used to establish the specific allergen. This is especially important if you have had a severe reaction and if there is any confusion as to whether your symptoms are caused by a true allergy (involving the production of IgE) or whether some other process is involved.

How is allergy diagnosed?

In addition to performing a clinical examination and taking a medical history, a physician may also use:

• skin test
  The skin test is a method of measuring the patient's level of IgE antibodies to specific allergens. Using diluted solutions of specific allergens, the physician either injects the patient with the solutions, or applies them to a small scratch or puncture. Reaction appears as a small red area on the skin. Reaction to the skin test does not always mean that the patient is allergic to the allergen that caused the reaction.
• blood test
  The blood test is used to measure the patient's level of IgE antibodies to specific allergens. One common blood test is called RAST (radioallergosorbent test).

Treatment for Allergy

Specific treatment for allergies will be determined by your physician based on:

• your overall health and medical history
• extent of the allergic disease
• your tolerance for specific medications
• expectations for the course of the allergic disease
• your opinion or preference

The three most effective ways to treat allergies are avoidance, immunotherapy, and medication.

What is avoidance?

Avoidance is staying away from a substance that causes an allergic reaction.

Prevention of Allergy:

• Remain indoors:
• when the pollen count is high
• on windy days
• Dusts proof the home, particularly the bedroom.
• Eliminate, when possible: wall-to-wall carpet, Venetian blinds, down-filled blankets or pillows, closets filled with clothes.
• Wash bedding, curtains, and clothing often and in hot water to eliminate dust mites.
• Keep bedding in dust covers when possible.
• Use air conditioning instead of opening the windows.
• Consider putting a dehumidifier in damp areas of the home, but remember to clean it often.
• Wear face masks when working in the yard.
• Go on vacation to the sea shore during the heaviest part of the pollen season.

Your physician will also have suggestions for avoiding the allergens that cause reactions.

Who is affected by allergy?

Allergies can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Generally, allergies are more common in children. However, a first-time occurrence can happen at any age, or recur after many years of remission.

There is a tendency for allergies to occur in families, although the exact genetic factors that cause it are not yet understood. In susceptible people, factors such as hormones, stress, smoke, perfume, or other environmental irritants may also play a role. Often, the symptoms of allergies develop gradually over a period of time.

Allergy sufferers may become so accustomed to chronic symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, or wheezing, that they do not consider their symptoms to be unusual. Yet, with the help of an allergist, these symptoms can usually be prevented or controlled and quality of life greatly improved.

Medication as treatment for allergy:

For people who suffer from allergies, there are many effective medications. Always consult your physician before taking any over-the-counter medications.