The symptoms of allergies and foods that fight against allergies Up to 50 million Americans, including 2 million children have some type of allergy. For most people, allergies are just an inconvenience. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, they are a major cause of disability in the U.S. In fact, it was estimated that allergies account for the loss of over two million school days per year .
What is an allergy?
An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance that is generally harmless to most people. But in a person suffering from an allergy, the body's immune system treats the substance called an allergen as an invader and reacts inappropriately, causing widespread damage to the person.
Who gets allergies?
Children inherit allergic tendencies of their parents. Some children have allergies, despite no family member with them, but if one parent has allergies, there is one chance in four that the child will suffer from allergies. The risk increases if parents have allergies.
Do I have an allergy to something?
Some allergies are fairly easy to identify because all the symptoms after an exposure of some can be hard to miss. But other allergies are less obvious because they can spend for other conditions.
How are allergies treated?
There is no cure for allergies, but symptomatic relief is possible. The most effective is to reduce or eliminate exposure to allergens. If reducing exposure is not possible or is ineffective, medications may be prescribed. In some cases, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy (desensitization) to help desensitize. There are also medications you might be able to give you, including antihistamines and steroid inhalers or nasal spray. A medical suggestion: Zyrtec ®
Just a dose of Zyrtec ® (cetirizine HCl) per day can keep allergy symptoms under control throughout the year. Symptoms of indoor allergies at once, such as pet dander and dust. And outdoor allergies, like trees and ragweed. Also, Zyrtec is approved to treat indoor allergies in infants 6 months and older.
Some common allergies are those of:
Grasses
Mold spores
Marsh Elder
Ash
Amaranth
Oak
Fall Elm
Mesquite
Elm
Sage
Juniper Berry Red
Pecans
Cedar Mountain
Ambrosia
Willow
Privet
Cats
Dogs
Bees
Peanuts
Mites
Food
Metals / Nickel:
Increase of 40 percent in allergy to nickel is attributed to the new entity piercing rage. In addition, some ingestion of nickel in foods and chewing pens and paper clips.
Cobalt and chromium can also produce allergic reactions, but to a lesser degree than nickel. once a nickel allergy develops, it lasts a lifetime.
Animals
All warm-blooded animals with fur, such as the average household pet, can cause allergic reactions. Because the proteins in their saliva, dander, and urine. When the animal licks itself, the saliva found on the fur. When drying, saliva, protein particles become airborne and make their way into the tissues at home. Cats are the worst offenders "because their salivary proteins is extremely small and they tend to lick themselves more than other animals.
Pollen
Pollen is another major cause of allergies. Pollen allergies are seasonal. Trees, weeds, grasses and release these tiny particles in the air to fertilize other plants. Most people know pollen allergy as hay fever or rose fever.
Cockroach:
Cockroach body parts and waste are also a major household allergen, especially in inner cities. Asthma rates in the interior.
Posted on February 27, 2010.
