Allergies - F.A.Q.

[ageneral]

What is an Allergy?
An allergy is nothing more than an individual’s abnormal reaction to an allergen, which typically is just an ordinary substance in the environment. When an allergic person absorbs or consumes an allergen, such as pollen, it disturbs the immune system of that allergic person by initiating a chain of events inside their body. Consequently, white blood cells begin the process of producing IgE antibodies. These antibodies get in contact with the mast cells and release a potent chemical called histamine. Subsequently, this chemical causes allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itching, watery eyes etc.


What are common allergies?
Allergies are often divided into two categories, food allergies and environmental allergies. There is not a cure for either type of allergy, and avoidance is the best means to combat both types.

FOOD ALLERGY: Food allergies tend to be more frightening than environmental allergies because, to many individuals, they can be life threatening. With food allergies, a person’s immune system reacts to a certain type of food (ie., peanuts or shellfish) and attacks the protein in the ingested food. A chemical is released in the form of histamine and this, in turn, is what activates allergy symptoms in the form of mild rashes or itching, to more severe allergic symptoms such as difficulty breathing to loss of consciousness. The latest study unveiled that approximately 12 million Americans are suffering from food allergies.

ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGY: The substances that you inhale at home or at the workplace cause environmental allergies. Although many believe environmental allergies are more of a regional problem and that they just happen to be the unlucky ones that live where environmental allergies are the worst, the fact is, it can occur anywhere because it’s primarily caused by dust, feathers, animal dander and mildew. Moving just tends to spur on different environmental allergies, but doesn’t make them go away. The environmental allergy poses problems throughout the year because they may be caused by your pillow, blankets, or dust in the air.


What are allergy tests?
The following tests are used for environmental allergy tests or food allergy test:
· Skin Prick Test - These are easily done in a doctor’s office. A very small amount of the substance in question is placed on the patient’s arm and followed up with a small prick to the skin. A small bump or redness will form at the area pricked if the individual is allergic.
· Intradermal Test - This method injects a small amount of the allergen into the skin. Testing for allergies by this means is more accurate than the skin prick test.
· Skin patch test - As implied, with this test for allergies, a patch with the allergen solution is placed on the individual for 1-3 days to see if there is a reaction.
· Blood Allergy Test -In blood tests, the doctors look for antibodies in the blood. Skin tests are more sensitive in comparison to the allergy blood test; however, it’s beneficial in case of those individuals who can’t go for the skin test.
Doctors sometimes prefer skin pricking test in food allergy cases because the results are out in minutes. Blood allergy tests must be sent to a lab where they evaluate IgE meditated food allergies. When it comes to environmental allergy testing, doctors sometimes recommend one or both skin and blood allergy test.


What are allergy shots?
If you fail to eliminate the symptoms of your allergy with over-the-counter anti-histamine medications it’s time to take the next step and consult an allergist for further evaluation. You may need allergy shots or desensitization injections.
Allergy shots are reserved for individuals that have environmental allergies that are difficult to escape (pollens, house dust, molds) and have not had success with medications. The allergy shot injects a small amount of the allergen into the patient, allowing their body to build up a tolerance of the allergen over time.
Similarly, SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy) is a way to safely administer the same extracts, but without the need for an allergy shot. In order to desensitize the patient, these extracts are given in the form of drops placed under the tongue. This SLIT treatment is particularly meant for people with mild and severe allergies, and tests have shown decreased allergy symptoms in patients in just a few days. For long-term improvement, you will want to continue the treatment for a year or more. This treatment is even showing improvement in children with asthma, although FDA approval for SLIT is still pending.


How can I cure environmental allergies for pollen, mold etc.?
There is no permanent allergy cure for pollen and mold, and avoidance is the most common recommendation. However, there are ways to reduce the symptoms and give yourself some allergy relief. For example, use polyester pillows instead of foam rubber, limit the amount of carpeting in your home, cover your pillows and mattresses with an allergy proof plastic cover, etc. There are additional natural ways to avoid these allergens, however you ought to consult your allergist for more information and to discuss the proper treatment.


How can I cure food allergies?
Reading food labels carefully and strict avoidance of the offending food is the only way to prevent any sort of reaction, but there is no sure food allergy cure. People often outgrow some of their food allergies, however peanuts, fish, shellfish, and tree nut allergies tend to stay with individuals for their entire life and treatment like SLIT are showing promising results. There is hope that within 5 to 10 years a cure might be available.