Allergy Research Group
If your GP thinks you might have a mild allergy, they can offer advice and treatment to help manage the condition.
If your allergy is particularly severe or it's not clear what you're allergic to, your GP may refer you to an allergy specialist. This is for testing and advice about avoiding allergens, or for treatment of your symptoms.
How to manage an allergy
In many cases, the most effective way of managing an allergy is to avoid the cost of abilify allergen that causes the reaction whenever possible.
For example, if you have a food allergy, you should check a food's ingredients list for allergens before eating it. The Food Standards Agency(external link opens in a new window / tab) has more information about food allergen labelling.
There are also several medications available to help control symptoms of allergic reactions. Your pharmacist will be able to advise you about medication to help with your symptoms. If these do not help to control your symptoms, you should see your GP.
Causes of allergies
Allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to a particular substance as though it's harmful.
It's not clear why this happens. Most people affected have a family history of allergies or have closely related conditions such as asthma or eczema.
Is it an allergy, sensitivity or intolerance?
Below is information to help explain the difference between an allergy, sensitivity or intolerance:
allergy – a reaction produced by the body's immune system when exposed to a normally harmless substance
sensitivity – the exaggeration of the normal effects of a substance; for example, the caffeine in a cup of coffee may cause extreme symptoms, such as palpitations and trembling
intolerance – where a substance causes unpleasant symptoms, such as diarrhoea, but doesn't involve the immune system; people with an intolerance to certain foods can typically eat a small amount without having any problems
Allergy is a hypersensitive reaction of the body’s immune system to harmless substances. This means that your body reacts strongly to substances that are not harmful to you, more commonly known as an allergic reaction. These substances are called allergens. Examples of these inhalant allergens are grass and tree pollen, animal dander, house dust mite and molds. An allergic reaction to one of these substances can manifest itself in nasal congestion, sneezing, sniffling, allopurinol australia watery eyes and itching of the eyes, nose and throat. Sometimes asthma symptoms can also occur with an allergy.
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WHAT SYMPTOMS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ALLERGY?
SYMPTOMS
People who suffer zofran 4mg for sale from an allergic reaction often suffer from a watery runny nose, sneezing and sometimes itchy, watery eyes. There may also be nasal congestion symptoms.
In addition to these nasal symptoms, asthma patients can also suffer from shortness of breath and wheezing.
CAN ALLERGIC RHINITIS BE THE CAUSE OF OTHER PROBLEMS?
Various diseases and complaints can (partly) be caused by an allergic rhinitis. These include ear infections, sinus infections, coughing, headaches and fatigue. This often decreases if the allergy is treated well.
ARE ALL NASAL COMPLAINTS CAUSED BY ALLERGIES?
Not all nasal complaints are caused by allergies. Nasal complaints can also be the result of infections, irritants and abnormalities in the structure of the nose. Some people react strongly to non-allergic stimulants such as tobacco smoke, (paint) odors, fog and temperature changes. They get a nasal congestion, sneezing and a runny nose. We call this non-allergic or idiopathic rhinitis. The nasal symptoms of allergic and idiopathic rhinitis can be similar.
WHAT TESTS CAN BE DONE TO DISCOVER THE ALLERGY?
On the basis of an examination, the ENT doctor can determine whether your complaints are caused by certain substances in your environment. The ENT doctor can do a skin test or a blood test. For more information, see: allergy test at KNO Medisch Centrum
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WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF (INHALATION) ALLERGY?
CAUSE
The human body has historically had to defend itself against a large amount of bacteria and viruses. Since we have become increasingly hygienic in recent decades, our immune system has had to face fewer and fewer threatening infections. The theory of the development of allergies is that in the absence of real infections, the body detects harmless substances as threatening and act against them. This is the allergic reaction if there is contact with harmless substances such as pollen, house dust mites, molds and animals. In addition, certain people have a hereditary predisposition to quickly develop hypersensitivity.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN ALLERGENS THAT CAN CAUSE AN ALLERGIC REACTION?
House dust mite
House dust mite is a harmless spider that occurs in all Dutch houses. It is not visible to the naked eye. It mainly lives in house dust and feeds on dander. The animal lives most comfortably in a warm, moist environment where there is a lot of dander. Examples include mattresses, pillows and carpeting. Especially the bed is a favorite place. House dust mites occur all year round. Their number increases in the fall, so does the chance of an allergic reaction to it.
Grass and tree pollen
Flowering grass(pollen) and tree pollen from flowering trees, especially birch, alder and hazel, cause hay fever.
Animals
Animal dander from cats, dogs and horses, but also rodents have allergens.
Other allergens
Moulds, weeds and yeasts can also cause allergic symptoms.
HOW DO MY ALLERGIC COMPLAINTS ARISE?
If an allergen (eg grass pollen grains) gets into your nose, an allergic reaction of the nasal mucosa can occur. The immune system of the nose reacts abnormally to the allergen to which you are hypersensitive. The binding of allergen to these antibodies stimulates the cell to release certain substances, such as histamine. These substances dilate small blood vessels. This widening results in an itchy nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. We call this allergic rhinitis.
WHAT TO DO AGAINST INHALATION ALLERGY?
SOLUTION
The basis of treating allergies consist of avoidance. It is very important that you avoid contact with the allergen as much as possible. This is sometimes easier said than done.
MEASURES AGAINST HOUSE DUST MITE ALLERGY
Prevent dust formation in which the house dust mite can live.
Clean your smooth floors daily with a wet cloth.
Air filter devices have no proven effect on allergy complaints.
We do not recommend purchasing such a device.
Ensure a dry bedroom by turning on the central heating in the autumn.
Wash bed linen and curtains at 60°C.
Protect the mattress and pillow with a dust mite-proof cover.
MEASURES AGAINST GRASS AND TREE POLLEN ALLERGIES
Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible when there are a lot of pollen in the air.
Do not go outside too much if you suffer complaints.
Especially early in the morning, on hot sunny days, there are a lot of pollen in the air.
MEASURES AGAINST PET ALLERGIES
Unfortunately, the best solution is to find another home for the animal.
If you decide not to do this, at least keep the animal out of the bedroom.
Hypo-allergic pets do not exist.
An allergic reaction occurs when a person’s immune system becomes hypersensitive to certain substances, such as foods, pollen, medications, or bee venom.
A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Many allergens are everyday substances that are harmless to most people. However, anything can be an allergen if the immune system has a specific type of adverse reaction to it.
One of the roles of the immune system is to destroy harmful substances in the body. If a person has an allergy to a substance, their immune system will react as though that substance is harmful and will try to destroy it.
Over 50 million people in the United States experience an allergic reaction each year. This reaction can lead to symptoms such as swelling. If swelling affects the airways, it can become life threatening.
In this article, learn about the risk factors, symptoms, and treatments associated with allergies.
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What is an allergy?
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Allergies develop when a person’s immune system overreacts to substances that are usually harmless.
The first time a person is exposed to an allergen, they do not usually experience a reaction. It often takes time for the immune system to build up a sensitivity to the substance.