“Live
With Your Allergies”
Over the past 20 years there’s a marked
increase in allergies, from the most prevalent disorder(allergic rhinitis, or
hay fever) to food allergies and allergy-related ailments such as asthma and
sinusitis. “Allergies seem to increase with the Western lifestyle.” Among the
possible correlates: smaller families, use of antibiotic early in life, diesel-exhaust
particles and changes in diet toward more processed foods.
ABCs on
Allergies. Basically,
an allergy is an overreaction of the immune system. An allergic person’s immune
system acts like a garrison of jittery sentries patrolling a volatile border.
When an “enemy” is spotted, the body responds with overkill: a huge of army of
immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies fights it off. They attach to mast cells (plentiful
in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts) that release inflammatory
chemicals, including histamine. These spark a classic allergic reaction: itchy
eyes, runny nose, lung constriction, hives or even anaphylaxis, sometimes fatal
reaction. Allergies are the disease of a thousand faces. An allergen may set
off a sneeze in one person and hives in another. If you’re allergy prone, you
probably react to more than one allergen. But allergies come and go; you may
grow out of childhood eczema and into hay fever. Stress can also play a role in
certain allergic reactions.
Cold or
Hay Fever?
Not surprisingly, even competent physicians over look allergies and treatment
have been haphazard. If your symptoms pose more than mild annoyance, see your
doctor. He can diagnose and treat many allergies and if necessary, refer you to
an allergist for skin tests. If you’re wondering, “Do I have a cold, or hay
fever?” the specialist may also examine a nasal smear for white blood cells
called eosinophils, which abound in allergic rhinitis. For those with true food
allergies, the scary thing is they can be perilous; food included anaphylaxis
can land you in the emergency room. A few foods are responsible for 90 % of
reactions. In children, it’s milk eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, soy and wheat,
in adult, peanuts and tree nuts, fish and shellfish.
First
Line Defenses. For
most allergies, the first step is generally the same. If you know you’re
severely allergic to a certain food, be vigilant in steering clear of it-
asking waiters the ingredients of a dish on the menu, for instance. For babies,
if there’s a family history of food allergies, it’s best to breastfeed and
without solid foods until age six months. There’s no need to introduce peanuts
or fish till age three at a minimum. Older children and adults with allergies
should eat a varied diet because eating the same foods frequently can create
allergies or sensitivities. Divide your allergic triggers into indoor and
outdoor allergens. Indoor allergens- dust mites, animal dander and mold
proliferate amid carpeting, drapes, feather pillows and down comforters. Other
tips clean the house frequently; wash blankets or quilts every 2 weeks in hot
water (130 degrees F) use an air conditioner in summer (change the filter
yearly) try putting filters over forced air heating vents. Avoid bringing
outdoor allergens indoors. Change your clothes and wash you’re your hair before
bed during pollen season. After any insect sting, you feel dizzy, faint or
headachy, have trouble breathing or develop hives, see your doctor immediately.
It could be an anaphylactic reaction. If you do suffer such reactions, you’ll
probably get an Epipen- a spring
loaded needle that injects epinephrine to carry all times.
Second
Line Defenses. Although avoiding
triggers can eliminate 50 to 70 % of allergic reactions. Allergists are
enthusiastic about prescription only
antihistamines such as Claritin and Allegra because they’re effective and no
sedating. Those whose symptoms persist even with medication or who are at risk
for fetal insect stings can report to immunotherapy. For three to five years
you receive injections of allergens, gradually desensitizing your immune
system. The process brings relief in about 80% of cases.
Alternative
Approaches. When
stress is contributing factor in allergic asthma attacks, relaxation techniques
may help some patients. It’s crucial to help people look at the psychological
issues and to give them tools to handle stress. If you wish to explore
unconventional therapies, however, you should first discuss them with your
primary care doctor.
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