Allergies
By Julie Hollensbe
Definition
Abnormal reactions of the immune symptoms that occur in response to otherwise harmless substances
Symptoms
- Eyes, nose, and lungs are affected if you breath in what you're allergic to (example: pollen)
- Mouth, stomach, and intestines are affected if you eat what you're allergic too (food allergy)
Common Allergies:
Prevention
- Track what causes your allergic reaction
- Avoid the main cause (if you're allergic to pollen don't stay outside for a long time)
- If you have a pet, bathe and brush them weekly
- Don't be around people who smoke, because that can trigger nasal congestion and make your allergic reaction worse
Treatment
- Best way to reduce allergic reactions is to avoid what causes them.
- There's a lot of different medicines that help prevent allergies that your doctor can recommend based on your symptoms, age, and overall health.
- Severe allergic reactions need to be treated with medicine called epinephrine, which could be life saving if taken right away. If you use this you need to call 911 and go straight to the hospital.
Statistics
- 55% of the people in the United States test positive for one or more allergens.
- 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have allergy or asthma symptoms
- Odds that a child with one allergic parent will develop allergies is 33%
- Odds that a child with two allergic parents will develop allergies is 70%
- On average 30,000 people visit the ER in the U.S. each year due to food allergies.
Diagnosis
Testing to see if you are allergic to something is similar to a tuberculosis test. They expose you to the item either through a skin patch or a small injection to see if you have a reaction.
Citing
- "Allergies." Thefreedictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Allergies
- "Allergist - Find an Allergist. Find Relief." Allergy Symptoms. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.
- "How to Prevent Allergies." Discovery Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.
- "Allergy Statistics and Allergy Facts." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.
- "Skin Testing for Allergies." WebMD. WebMD, 03 Jan. 0000. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.
- "Health Guide." Allergies. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.