An allergy occurs when your body overreacts to things that don't normally cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens and your body's overreaction to them are what causes allergy symptoms.
Common Allergy Symptoms are:
? Runny nose ? Watery eyes ? Itchy nose, eyes, and roof of mouth ? Sneezing ? Stuffy nose ? Pressure in the nose and cheeks ? Ear fullness and popping ? Dark circles under the eyes ? Hives
What Causes these Allergy Symptoms?
No one really knows why someone develops allergy. Studies have shown that allergy may be hereditary or genetic. Others say that allergy is just something that develops over time and disappears, also over time. But one thing is certain, there are certain specific factors found in the environment that can trigger the body to develop allergy symptoms.
The most common allergen is pollen from trees, grass, and weeds. Allergy symptoms caused by these allergens often occur in the spring (late April and May) and may also occur late in the summer (late May to mid-July). Ragweed allergens may also cause allergy symptoms in the fall (late August to the first frost).
In direct contrast to pollen, which is airborne, molds are contracted by contact through the skin. Mold is common where water tends to collect, such as shower curtains, window moldings and damp basements. It can also be found in rotting logs, hay, mulches, commercial peat moss, compost piles, and leaf litter. Allergy symptoms caused by molds become worse during humid and rainy weather.
Another common type of allergen is animal dander. These are proteins found in the skin, saliva, and urine of furry pets, such as cats and dogs. You can develop allergy symptoms from handling an animal or from coming into contact with house dust, containing dander.
Various more allergens are contained in dust. One of them is dust mites, which are tiny living creatures found in bedding, mattresses, carpeting, and upholstered furniture. These mites live on dead skin cells and other things found in house dust, and coming into contact with them may result in allergy symptoms.
How Can We Control Allergy Symptoms?
Unless you live in a vacuum, it is extremely difficult to avoid allergens all together. But with a little management and control, you can reduce the occurrence of allergy symptoms caused by these allergens.
Keeping clean is always the first step in controlling allergy symptoms. Before bedtime, it is advisable to shower or bathe to wash off pollen and other allergens in your hair and skin. You can also reduce the amount of mold in your home by frequently cleaning those places where mold often accumulates.
Avoid going outside the home during dry, windy days. Keep windows and doors shut, and use an air conditioner at home and in your car. This is one way to keep yourself from developing allergy symptoms caused by pollen and other airborne allergens.
The most effective way to fight against particular allergen is immunotherapy or allergy shot, but some people will get frightened to get allergy shot.
Allergy shots hold a little amount of substance that fights against the particular allergen. For example, if the person is allergic to pollen, a small amount of substance called pollen will be added to the shot.
A small amount will be given so that the body will get used to fight against the allergen and if the body comes in contact with that substance next time, body will be familiar with that. Who are not eligible to take allergy shot? Allergy shots are not safe for everyone. Although most of the people experienced positive results from these shots, they are not suitable for all. People who are suffering from asthma, heart attack, and respiratory problems, pregnant women, and children under age of five are not recommended to receive allergy shot.
Alternatively, certain individuals are experiencing some side effects such as: &bullFeelings of shock when the shot is initially injected &bullLightheadedness &bullNausea So, for these reasons, the patient should stay in the doctor's office for at least fifteen to twenty minutes after receiving the shot. Benefits of allergy shots: &bullAllergy shots improve allergic rhinitis, hay fever, bee sting allergies, drug allergies, and eye allergies. &bullIn some cases, allergy shots improve asthma symptoms also. The most common reaction to allergy shot is swelling at the place where the shot is given.
The success of this immunotherapy varies from person to person depending on the severity of the person's allergy and the number of substances the person is allergic to.
In addition to the traditional allergy shots, there are new approaches to immunotherapy procedures to treat allergies.
Oral immunotherapy works similar to the allergy shot. In this method, increasing doses of allergen will be given to slowly build up the patient's tolerance. The only difference with oral immunotherapy from allergy shot is with oral immunotherapy extract of allergen is used as drops. In this method, generally the drops are placed under the tongue and then swallowed.
Intranasal immunotherapy method involves intranasal administration of grass and house dust mite allergen extracts, which reduces the nasal symptoms such as "nasal allergy".
The side effect with intranasal immunotherapy is nasal irritation. When compared to the traditional allergy shots, intranasal immunotherapy has no long lasting benefits.
Rush immunotherapy involves quick build up to the maintenance dose of extract. In this method of treatment, during early phase increasing doses of allergen will be given every few hours rather than a few days. Since there is a great risk involved with this rush immunotherapy, this should be done in hospital under close supervision.
Some people will experience severe reaction to the allergy shot, which is called "anaphylaxis". In case of bad reaction with this shot, physicians will do appropriate treatment to stop this reaction.
Since allergy shots are not good for everyone, talking to the physician before taking this shot is more advisable. Visit
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Vance St. John has sinced written about articles on various topics from Allergies. To find out more about allergy symptoms, allergens and remedies just visit the authors website at: http://www.allergie-beratung.com/. Vance St. John's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.
Neelima Reddy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Allergies, Low Carb Diet and Gardening. Allergy Asthma blog helps you learn everything you need to know about allergy relief. Know more about asthma control & protect yourself to improve your quality of life. Visit. Neelima Reddy's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.