You may suffer from allergies. Allergy sufferers must continuously watch where they go, what they eat and even who they can be around. It can be a life-long struggle revolving around different medicines. This article will address some of the common questions about allergies that you might have.

Are allergies dangerous?

In some allergy sufferers the worst symptom or reaction is itchy, watery eyes and maybe a stuffy nose. But there are some people who have immune systems that react very vehemently and the attack can become life threatening.

That is why it is very important to know what you are allergic to and know how to avoid it. Some of the more severe allergic reactions happen to bee stings, accidentally ingesting something or inhaling a huge quantity of the allergen and having a severe allergic reaction.

Most ingestible allergens can cause the throat to swell, thus restricting the airway. Airborne allergens can cause an asthma attack where the lungs struggle to intake oxygen.

If I am allergic to a certain food and accidentally ingest one, what can I do?

Most people who suffer severe food allergies carry something called an Epi Pen in case they go into anaphylactic shock. It really isn't a pen but rather is shaped similar to one. It is actually a one time shot of epinephrine that is administered as soon as it is realized that you are going into an anaphylactic shock and that you are in danger.

What types of medications are used to treat allergy sufferers?

Many allergy sufferers can get by with taking an over the counter medication to either help prevent an attack or help ease the symptoms. In some cases a doctor will prescribe a steroid based medicine in order to help strengthen the lungs and may include a prescription for an inhaler if an asthma attack were to occur.

How does an air purifier work?

All air purifiers work on the same basic principle. Contaminated air is pulled into the machine, a majority of the allergens are pulled out, and then the cleaner air is blown out. The differences in air purifiers come in how they filter the allergens.

Some units use ionized metal rods that attract the particles. When the rods become dirty, they are removed, cleaned off, and then reinserted. In other air purifiers there is a screen that the air passes through.

The multiple layers of paper or cloth help trap the allergens. When the screen is dirty it is then disposed of and a new one is put into place.

Can pets suffer from allergies?

Pets can suffer from allergies the same as we do. Some varieties are more prone to seasonal allergies than others though. What is the solution? Benadryl can work on humans and pets alike. Make sure you check with your vet before giving your pet any medicine to ensure the proper dosage and to find out what is causing the problems.