Allergies:
For millions of people, sneezing and wheezing, runny noses and itchy eyes are the natural consequences of opening a window, working in the yard or patting the cat. Take heart: relief is at hand, whether you need it when pollen flies or year-round.
What is happening
If you're among the 20 percent of Australians and New Zealanders who suffer from hay fever (medically known as allergic rhinitis), you know all about congeston, sneezing and water eyes. Such symptons can be traced to a variety of pollens (from grasses to trees and flowers).And sniffling and hacking aren't just a springtime problem. They can make you miserable at different times of the year, depending on what you are allergic to. Trees pollinate from late winter through to November. In summer, grasses start and they're followedy by weeds in autumn. And plants aren't the only problem.
Many moulds and mildews shed spores that cause allergies year-round, January to December. Dust mites, pet dander, mice and, in cities, cockroaches can also cause persistent problems. Beyond your nose, if you're allergic to substances like nickel (used in watchbands and jewellery) you may develop a rash where the metal touches your skin. Severe reactions to foods or to stings from bees or other insects can cover you with hives or, in the worst-case scenario, may even be fatal. And allergies can even be a trigger for asthma, a chronic respiratory disease that kills thousands of people annually
LIKELY FIRST STEPS
QUESTIONS TO ASK
Treatment Options
MEDICATIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antihistamines Quick relief: as tablets or nasal sprays.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decongestants Oral drugs and sprays relieve stuffiness
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steroid nasal sprays Reduce inflammation; stop allergic process
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eyedrops Good for itchy, water eyes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leukotriene antagonists Asthma drugs used in certain circumstances
Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natal wash Salline solution to clear out mucu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Desensitising injections Immunotherapy to reduce allergic reactions.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stay Indoors Reduces exposure to potential allergens.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Avoid allergens Can include pets, feather pillows and quilts
NATURAL METHODS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplements Querecetin and stinging nettle.
Allergy symptoms arise because your immune system over-responds to microscopic pollens, moulds and other allergy triggers known as allergens (see on next) If you breathe in or touch a particular allergen you are sensitive to, it will combine with a component of your own immune system called an immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody. IgE is normally a helpful substance that protects your body against parasites, germs and other foreign invaders. But if you have allergies, harmless substances such as pollen cause IgE to activate specialised mast cells in your nose, eyes or other areas near the irritant. As a histamine, which cause the congestion, itching, sneezing, hives and other complaints so familiar to allergy sufferers.
TAKING CONTROL
Identify what's causing your allergies. keep an allergy diary, recording the times of day and year when symptons occur and any foods, plants, pets or other factors that may trigger reactions.
Close the windows at night to keep pollen and moulds out. Use a central air conditioner equipped with a filter to clean and dry the air.
Use a dehumidifier to keep mould counts down.
Avoid aggravating factors
Such as emotional upsets, fatigue, alcohol and sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
Take a holiday at the beach. Pollen counts are often lower on the coast.
Should I do a blood test (RAST) or a skin test?
Skin testing is the most popular and reliable test for detecting allergens. However, the success of skin testing depends on the expertise of the person interpreting the test. Skin testing can also very occasionally induce anaphylaxis. RAST (radio-allergosorbent test) is safer but more expensive and may give false negative results.
Treatments
Identifying you allergy triggers and then doing your best to avoid them is your best bet for preventing an allergy attack; failing that, many drugs are effective at relieving symptoms, allowing you to get on
with your daily affairs. Until recently, anithistamines and decongestants were the mainstays of allergy treatment. Anitistamines and decongestants were the mainstays of allergy treatment. Anithistamines block the irritating effects of histamie on the nasal passages, eyes, skin or other tissues and can be very effective at easing symptoms. They are often combined with a decongestant, which shrinks the swollen membranes in the nasal passages.
In recent years, newer non-sedating prescription antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays have been found to be safe, better to use and even more effective for the vast majority of allergy sufferers. Most people with seasonal allergies know when their first symptoms appear---and so when to begin their medication programs, which then continue daily until the season changes.
For millions of people, sneezing and wheezing, runny noses and itchy eyes are the natural consequences of opening a window, working in the yard or patting the cat. Take heart: relief is at hand, whether you need it when pollen flies or year-round.
What is happening
If you're among the 20 percent of Australians and New Zealanders who suffer from hay fever (medically known as allergic rhinitis), you know all about congeston, sneezing and water eyes. Such symptons can be traced to a variety of pollens (from grasses to trees and flowers).And sniffling and hacking aren't just a springtime problem. They can make you miserable at different times of the year, depending on what you are allergic to. Trees pollinate from late winter through to November. In summer, grasses start and they're followedy by weeds in autumn. And plants aren't the only problem.
Many moulds and mildews shed spores that cause allergies year-round, January to December. Dust mites, pet dander, mice and, in cities, cockroaches can also cause persistent problems. Beyond your nose, if you're allergic to substances like nickel (used in watchbands and jewellery) you may develop a rash where the metal touches your skin. Severe reactions to foods or to stings from bees or other insects can cover you with hives or, in the worst-case scenario, may even be fatal. And allergies can even be a trigger for asthma, a chronic respiratory disease that kills thousands of people annually
LIKELY FIRST STEPS
- An antihistamine to relive sneezing, itching, water eyes and other symptoms.
- A decongestant to ease nasal congestion
- A nasal spray (steroid or sodium cromoglycate) to reduce inflammation and prevent allergy attacks.
- A nasal wash to remove mucus from the nose,
- Allergy tests to determine which pollens or moulds are causing your allergies (several may be to blame)
- If symptoms persist or are severe or you have asthma, allergy injections or immunotherapy to desensitise you against allergy triggers.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
- Should I pull all the carpeting out of my house?
- Should I get tested for hidden food allergies?
- Could my allergies ever become something more serious, like asthma?
- Can my allergies just go away?
- Could my allergy symptoms be caused by something else, maybe a drug i'm talking?
- When should I see an allergist? What about an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist?
Treatment Options
MEDICATIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antihistamines Quick relief: as tablets or nasal sprays.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decongestants Oral drugs and sprays relieve stuffiness
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steroid nasal sprays Reduce inflammation; stop allergic process
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eyedrops Good for itchy, water eyes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leukotriene antagonists Asthma drugs used in certain circumstances
Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natal wash Salline solution to clear out mucu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Desensitising injections Immunotherapy to reduce allergic reactions.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stay Indoors Reduces exposure to potential allergens.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Avoid allergens Can include pets, feather pillows and quilts
NATURAL METHODS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplements Querecetin and stinging nettle.
Allergy symptoms arise because your immune system over-responds to microscopic pollens, moulds and other allergy triggers known as allergens (see on next) If you breathe in or touch a particular allergen you are sensitive to, it will combine with a component of your own immune system called an immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody. IgE is normally a helpful substance that protects your body against parasites, germs and other foreign invaders. But if you have allergies, harmless substances such as pollen cause IgE to activate specialised mast cells in your nose, eyes or other areas near the irritant. As a histamine, which cause the congestion, itching, sneezing, hives and other complaints so familiar to allergy sufferers.
TAKING CONTROL
Identify what's causing your allergies. keep an allergy diary, recording the times of day and year when symptons occur and any foods, plants, pets or other factors that may trigger reactions.
Close the windows at night to keep pollen and moulds out. Use a central air conditioner equipped with a filter to clean and dry the air.
Use a dehumidifier to keep mould counts down.
Avoid aggravating factors
Such as emotional upsets, fatigue, alcohol and sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
Take a holiday at the beach. Pollen counts are often lower on the coast.
Should I do a blood test (RAST) or a skin test?
Skin testing is the most popular and reliable test for detecting allergens. However, the success of skin testing depends on the expertise of the person interpreting the test. Skin testing can also very occasionally induce anaphylaxis. RAST (radio-allergosorbent test) is safer but more expensive and may give false negative results.
Treatments
Identifying you allergy triggers and then doing your best to avoid them is your best bet for preventing an allergy attack; failing that, many drugs are effective at relieving symptoms, allowing you to get on
with your daily affairs. Until recently, anithistamines and decongestants were the mainstays of allergy treatment. Anitistamines and decongestants were the mainstays of allergy treatment. Anithistamines block the irritating effects of histamie on the nasal passages, eyes, skin or other tissues and can be very effective at easing symptoms. They are often combined with a decongestant, which shrinks the swollen membranes in the nasal passages.
In recent years, newer non-sedating prescription antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays have been found to be safe, better to use and even more effective for the vast majority of allergy sufferers. Most people with seasonal allergies know when their first symptoms appear---and so when to begin their medication programs, which then continue daily until the season changes.
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