Allergies - Food Allergies, Skin Allergies and Asthma Treatment
Pradeep Chauhan
February 22, 2008
Introduction
Allergies are abnormal immune system reactions to things that are typically harmless to most people. When you're allergic to something, your immune system mistakenly believes that this substance is harmful to your body.
An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. It is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in non- allergic people. Allergic people's bodies recognize the foreign substance and one part of the immune system is turned on. Allergy-producing substances are called "allergens." Substances that often cause reactions are
Pollen
Dust mites
Mold spores
Pet dander
Food
Insect stings
Medicines
Asthma
Allergy can play a part in causing asthma, a condition that affects the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. In someone with asthma, these airways are sensitive and inflamed. Exposure to a trigger makes the airways become narrower producing asthma symptoms - coughing (the most common symptom), wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. Asthma should be assessed and treated by a doctor. If you are concerned about asthma, you should consult your own doctor.
Treatment
There are several types of medications available for treating asthma. Most people use a combination of long-term control medications and quick relief medications. Your doctor can help you decide which option is best for you based on your age and the severity of your symptoms.
Long-term control medications are taken daily to maintain control of persistent asthma. They primarily serve to control airway inflammation.
The quick-relief medications are taken to achieve prompt reversal of an acute asthma attack? By relaxing bronchial smooth muscle.
Medications for allergy-induced asthma. These decrease your body's sensitivity to a particular allergen and prevent your immune system from reacting to allergens.
Food Allergy
Food allergies are sensitivities caused by a reaction of the body's immune system to specific proteins in a food. Current estimates are that food allergies affect as many as 6% of young children and 3% to 4% of adults.
Treatment
Food allergy is treated by avoiding the problem foods. Once a patient and doctor have identified the food to which the patient is sensitive, the food must be removed from the patient's diet. To do this, patients must read lengthy, detailed ingredient lists on each food they are considering eating.
Skin Allergy
Allergy can affect the skin in two main ways. Insect bites and other allergic reactions can produce localized redness and swelling eg. hives or nettle rash. More widespread allergy can lead to a flare-up of eczema or dermatitis.
Treatment
You have to discontinue all products that you have been using on the exposed area, and only use the treatment the dermatologist has prescribed for you. The most common treatment for allergic contact dermatitis is a cortisone ointment preparation. Many people opt for the more effective natural treatments such as Epitrex, which can eliminate flare-ups.
It is important that you return to your dermatologist at the end of your one to two week treatment. The treatment used is strong and you should not use it for more than one to two weeks without being under the supervision of your doctor. If overused, the medication can cause permanent thinning of the skin. When you come for the second visit, if all is going well, your doctor will then taper down to a weaker medication
Read about Home Remedies Guide. Also read about Simple and Best Home Remedies and User Recommended Home Remedies.
Allergies are abnormal immune system reactions to things that are typically harmless to most people. When you're allergic to something, your immune system mistakenly believes that this substance is harmful to your body.
An allergy refers to an exaggerated reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. It is exaggerated because these foreign substances are usually seen by the body as harmless and no response occurs in non- allergic people. Allergic people's bodies recognize the foreign substance and one part of the immune system is turned on. Allergy-producing substances are called "allergens." Substances that often cause reactions are
Pollen
Dust mites
Mold spores
Pet dander
Food
Insect stings
Medicines
Asthma
Allergy can play a part in causing asthma, a condition that affects the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. In someone with asthma, these airways are sensitive and inflamed. Exposure to a trigger makes the airways become narrower producing asthma symptoms - coughing (the most common symptom), wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. Asthma should be assessed and treated by a doctor. If you are concerned about asthma, you should consult your own doctor.
Treatment
There are several types of medications available for treating asthma. Most people use a combination of long-term control medications and quick relief medications. Your doctor can help you decide which option is best for you based on your age and the severity of your symptoms.
Long-term control medications are taken daily to maintain control of persistent asthma. They primarily serve to control airway inflammation.
The quick-relief medications are taken to achieve prompt reversal of an acute asthma attack? By relaxing bronchial smooth muscle.
Medications for allergy-induced asthma. These decrease your body's sensitivity to a particular allergen and prevent your immune system from reacting to allergens.
Food Allergy
Food allergies are sensitivities caused by a reaction of the body's immune system to specific proteins in a food. Current estimates are that food allergies affect as many as 6% of young children and 3% to 4% of adults.
Treatment
Food allergy is treated by avoiding the problem foods. Once a patient and doctor have identified the food to which the patient is sensitive, the food must be removed from the patient's diet. To do this, patients must read lengthy, detailed ingredient lists on each food they are considering eating.
Skin Allergy
Allergy can affect the skin in two main ways. Insect bites and other allergic reactions can produce localized redness and swelling eg. hives or nettle rash. More widespread allergy can lead to a flare-up of eczema or dermatitis.
Treatment
You have to discontinue all products that you have been using on the exposed area, and only use the treatment the dermatologist has prescribed for you. The most common treatment for allergic contact dermatitis is a cortisone ointment preparation. Many people opt for the more effective natural treatments such as Epitrex, which can eliminate flare-ups.
It is important that you return to your dermatologist at the end of your one to two week treatment. The treatment used is strong and you should not use it for more than one to two weeks without being under the supervision of your doctor. If overused, the medication can cause permanent thinning of the skin. When you come for the second visit, if all is going well, your doctor will then taper down to a weaker medication
Read about Home Remedies Guide. Also read about Simple and Best Home Remedies and User Recommended Home Remedies.
Print
Email
