Info-Authority.com: Allergy

An allergy is a usually minor physical disorder in which the body unnecessarily develops physical defenses against a substance that is not in fact a threat. For this reason, allergies are also known as hypersensitivity.

Common Allergens

A substance producing such a false reaction in the body is known as an allergen. Common allergens include dust, mold, animal fur or feathers, a variety of foods, and especially the airborne pollen of various trees and grasses. Pollen tends to be prevalent during certain periods of the year, thus resulting in the well-known seasonal “hay fever” (so called because it was found to be most active at the time of the year that hay was gathered).

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are usually relatively benign, though under certain rare conditions they can cause severe health problems or even death. In most cases, the symptoms are simple inflammation: itchiness, runny nose, and redness of eyes. These symptoms are the side effects of histamine, a chemical that helps to neutralize the dangers of toxic substances. When the immune system is led to believe (correctly or otherwise) that histamine is required for the safety of the body, numerous mast cells containing this chemical are released into the system -- hence the value of antihistamines, which act to nullify the unwanted effects of the histamine release.

Another common reaction to allergens are hives, an inflammation of the skin that results from an overflooding of histamine by the body. An excess of histamine can also cause difficulty in breathing, especially in sufferers of asthma, or loss of consciousness. In its most severe form, this reaction can bring about anaphylactic shock, a condition which prevents free breathing and may result in death unless immediate medical help is provided. Anaphylactic shock is usually brought on by a hypersensitivity to certain drugs, such as penicillin; insect stings; or the properties of certain foods, particularly nuts, seafood, and dairy products.

Allergy Sufferers

Allergies are a fairly common condition, being found in two of 10 Americans. They are passed genetically, though only the propensity for allergies is inherited, and not the sensitivity to any particular substance.

Allergies can be treated or prevented in a variety of ways. Antihistamines are commonly available, as are allergy shots that expose the patient to increasingly greater doses of the allergen until his or her immune system has been conditioned to respond to it appropriately. Adrenalin can be used in emergencies to halt the onrush of an anaphylactic attack. Avoiding the allergen is obviously the most efficient method when the nature of the allergy permits: the ingredients of foods should be carefully monitored. Sensitive pet owners should be scrupulous about cleaning fur and feathers. Individuals should be aware of their reactions to various medications in case of emergency situations. An individual's sensitivity to a specific allergen can be checked by a skin test, a procedure in which the skin is exposed to a tiny sample of the substance in question and any negative reactions are noted.

By Matthew Ingalls




	Allergy An allergy is a usually minor physical disorder in which the body unnecessarily develops physical defenses against a substance that is not in fact a threat. For this reason, allergies are also known as hypersensitivity. Common Allergens A substance producing such a false reaction in the body is known as an allergen. Common allergens include dust, mold, animal fur or feathers, a variety of foods, and especially the airborne pollen of various trees and grasses. Pollen tends to be prevalent during certain periods of the year, thus resulting in the well-known seasonal “hay fever” (so called because it was found to be most active at the time of the year that hay was gathered). Allergic Reactions Allergic reactions are usually relatively benign, though under certain rare conditions they can cause severe health problems or even death. In most cases, the symptoms are simple inflammation: itchiness, runny nose, and redness of eyes. These symptoms are the side effects of histamine, a chemical that helps to neutralize the dangers of toxic substances. When the immune system is led to believe (correctly or otherwise) that histamine is required for the safety of the body, numerous mast cells containing this chemical are released into the system -- hence the value of antihistamines, which act to nullify the unwanted effects of the histamine release. Another common reaction to allergens are hives, an inflammation of the skin that results from an overflooding of histamine by the body. An excess of histamine can also cause difficulty in breathing, especially in sufferers of asthma, or loss of consciousness. In its most severe form, this reaction can bring about anaphylactic shock, a condition which prevents free breathing and may result in death unless immediate medical help is provided. Anaphylactic shock is usually brought on by a hypersensitivity to certain drugs, such as penicillin; insect stings; or the properties of certain foods, particularly nuts, seafood, and dairy products. Allergy Sufferers Allergies are a fairly common condition, being found in two of 10 Americans. They are passed genetically, though only the propensity for allergies is inherited, and not the sensitivity to any particular substance. Allergies can be treated or prevented in a variety of ways. Antihistamines are commonly available, as are allergy shots that expose the patient to increasingly greater doses of the allergen until his or her immune system has been conditioned to respond to it appropriately. Adrenalin can be used in emergencies to halt the onrush of an anaphylactic attack. Avoiding the allergen is obviously the most efficient method when the nature of the allergy permits: the ingredients of foods should be carefully monitored. Sensitive pet owners should be scrupulous about cleaning fur and feathers. Individuals should be aware of their reactions to various medications in case of emergency situations. An individual's sensitivity to a specific allergen can be checked by a skin test, a procedure in which the skin is exposed to a tiny sample of the substance in question and any negative reactions are noted. By Matthew Ingalls Related Links: Wikipedia - Allergy Wikipedia article on allergies.