Allergies

Discomforts of various kinds are considered allergies when they are brought on by substances or conditions that ordinarily are harmless. Not too long ago, perturbed allergy sufferers would say things like:

“I can’t use that soap because it gives me hives.”

“Smelling roses makes me sneeze.”

“Eating almonds gives me diarrhea.”

Nowadays, such complaints are commonly recognized as allergies.

Symptoms – Allergic symptoms can range from itching eyes, running nose, coughing, difficulty in breathing, welts on the skin, nausea, cramps, and even going into the state of shock, depending upon the severity of the allergic individual’s response. Almost any part or system of the body may be affected, and almost anything can pose an allergic threat to somebody.

Allergens – Substances that rigger an allergic reaction are called allergens. The system of an allergic individual reacts to such substances as if they were germs, producing antibodies whose job it is to neutralize the allergens. But the body’s defense mechanism overreacts: in the process of fighting off the effects of allergens, various chemicals, particularly histamines are dumped indiscriminately into the bloodstream. It is the overabundance of these “good” chemicals that causes the discomforts associated with allergies.

Allergens are usually placed in the following categories:

• Those that affect the respiratory tract, or inhalants, such as pollens, dust, smoke, perfumes, and various air borne, malodorous chemicals. These bring on sneezing, coughing and breathing impairment.

• Food substances that affect the digestive system, typically eggs, seafood, nuts, berries, chocolate, and pork. These may not only cause nausea and diarrhea, but hives and skin rashes.

• Medicines and drugs, such as penicillin or a particular serum used in inoculations.

• Agents that act on the skin and mucous membranes, such as insecticides, poison oak, and poison ivy, particular chemical dyes, cosmetics, soaps, metals, leathers and furs.

• Environmental agents such as sunlight, excessive cold, light and pressure.

• Microbes such as particular bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Treatment: Some allergic reactions are outgrown; some don’t develop until adulthood. In many cases, the irritating substance is easy to identify and then avoid: in others, it may take a long series of tests before the allergen is finally tracked down.

As soon as the source of the allergen is identified, the best thing for the allergic person to do is avoid it – if possible. But a person may find it more convenient to be relieved of the allergy by desensitization treatments administered by a doctor. Sometimes allergies that resist these treatments are kept under control by medicines such a s adrenaline, ephedrine, cortisone, or the antihistamines.

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