Allergies – Causes Symptoms And Treatment
Allergies – Causes Symptoms And Treatment
Allergy is a disorder of the immune system often also referred to as atopy. Allergic reactions occur to environmental substances known as allergens; these reactions are acquired predictable and rapid. Strictly allergy is one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is called type hypersensitivity. It is characterized by excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils by a type of antibody known as IgE resulting in an extreme inflammatory response. Common allergic reactions include eczema hives hay fever asthma food allergies and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees.
Why Do People Get Allergies?
The tendency to develop allergies is often hereditary which means it can be passed down through your genes. Thanks a lot Mom and Dad! However just because a parent or sibling might have allergies that doesn’t mean you will definitely get them too. A person usually doesn’t inherit a particular allergy just the likelihood of having allergies.
What Causes Allergies?
A healthy immune system is balanced between the activity of 2 types of white blood cells called Th1 and Th2.
Genetic or environmental factors can cause a Th2 dominated response to develop which can lead to allergies.
The use of immunizations and antibiotic therapies and increased pollution leads to Th2 dominance.
Once an imbalance in T cells develops it tends to be continued by production of chemicals cytokines that keep the imbalance in place.
Allergic reactions occur when the immune system misidentifies harmless foreign substances and reacts to them as if they were as harmful. These substances are called allergens. Common pollens mold spores house dust mites cockroaches and animal dander shed skin fur or feathers are among the allergens that most frequently cause problems. Allergic reactions to allergens such as insect venom latex and certain types of food or medications are more rare.
Allergy Symptoms
For allergy symptoms such as a runny nose watery/itchy eyes or sneezing that occur infrequently most individuals can be treated sucessfully with an oral nonsedating antihistamine such as loratadine Claritin desloratadine Clarinex fexofenadine Allegra cetirizine Zyrtec levocetirizine Xyzal or or an antihistamine nasal spray such as azelastine Astelin to be taken on an as needed basis when allergy symptoms arise.
Allergy Treatment
An effective allergy treatment is a concern for anyone suffering from seasonal allergies or asthma. Like many other medical conditions allergies are affecting a growing portion of society. Serious diseases like cancer heart disease and stroke seem to be rising at about the same rate along with allergies.
Topical nasal steroids. This class of allergy medications is probably the most effective at treating nasal allergies as well as nonallergic rhinitis. There are numerous topical nasal steroids on the market and are all available by prescription. Some people note that one smells or tastes better than another but they all work about the same.
Allergies to Pets
Studies show that approximately 15 percent of the population is allergic to dogs or cats. An estimated onethird of Americans who are allergic to cats about two million people live with at least one cat in their household anyway. In a study of 341 adults who were allergic to cats or dogs and had been advised by their physicians to give up their pets only one out of five did. What’s more 122 of them obtained another pet after a previous one had died.
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