Allergy

An Allergy or atopy as it is often referred as, is a disorder of the immune system when it comes into bodily contact with a foreign substance.

It can be generated at any age but may not appear for the first time until adulthood.

Allergic reactions happen when exposed to a normally harmless environmental substance, commonally known as allergens.

People who are more prone to an allergic reaction are referred to as "allergic" or "atopic".  Hay fever, dermatitis, ezcema, asthma, psoriasis, chronic fatigue, are all common allergic reactions.

Some people may suffer an allergic reaction to medicines, chemicals, cosmetics, foods and some animals such as a cat, dog, horse or even birds. Some people also have allergies to stings from bees, wasps, and other insects.

An Allergy plays a very important role with conditions such as asthma, hay fever, ezcema.

A severe reaction by way of dietary or environmental allergens in some people, may result in a life threatening or potentially fatal situation. This is called an anaphylactic reaction or anaphylaxis.

This is rapidly developing and affects many different areas of the body. Most reactions are minor and if treated with medical assistance promptly, will end not long after.

An Allergy is not as common a disease in third world countries as it is in more highly developed countries. Besides the oxygen in the air, it also can contain other particles like toxic, infectious, or innocuos particles which have allergens in them. Inhalation of these allergens can be hazardous if you have an allergic reaction.

The most common indoor allergen is cigarette smoke.

To have your symptoms diagnosed properly, you should visit your general practitioner or nurse and discuss your symptoms with them. They will be able to conduct a series of tests to verify what form of sensitivity or atopy you may have, or they may refer you to an allergist..

An allergist will be able to determine whether you are atopic (hereditary-an Allergy that runs in the family) by looking at the family history and medical background. Once the family history and medical background has been established, they will then move onto a physical examination.

This can be by means of a skin prick test to which will prove a positive diagnosis. They are painless and accurate and the allergist will be able to confirm these results within approximately ten minutes.

Another test which may be carried out is a RAST(radioallergosorbent test). Blood is taken from the patient and the test then measures the immunoglobulin E(IgE) antibodies in the bloodstream. This test is more suitable to those patients that may have extremely sensitive skin or those that suffer from severe ezcema.

The results of these tests will be able to show whether you are allergic, intolerant or even both.

If the general practitioner or nurse suspects that you suffer from a food intolerance, they will recommend an elimination diet. An elimination diet will eliminate common allergens and foods with high chemical properties over a short period of time making it easier to diagnose the correct Allergy.

You can find more Allergy Information here.

There are many types of tests available so to be sure you have the right medication for your Allergy, always seek professional medical advice and assistance.