allergy some facts. allergy fact it is estimated that 50 million north americans are affected by...

AllergyAllergysome factssome facts

Allergy Fact

• It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions.

• The cost of allergies in the United States is more than $10 billion dollars yearly.

• Hay fever affects about 35 million Americans, 6 million of whom are children.

• Asthma affects 15 million Americans, 5 million of whom are children.

• The number of cases of asthma has doubled over the last 20 years.

Allergies are an overreaction of the body's immune system to specific substances that it misidentifies as harmful. This overreaction of the body's immune system is known as an allergic reaction and the substances that cause it are called allergens. Potential allergens can be anything from dust mites and pollen to insect stings, fragrances, and foods such as shellfish and peanuts. Whatever the allergen, allergic reaction symptoms can be miserable, ranging from a runny nose and watery eyes to breathing problems, diarrhea, hives, and even death.

There are many types of allergies, but the most common include:Food Allergies - triggered by certain types of food Anaphylaxis - triggered by food, drugs, or insect stings Respiratory Allergies - triggered by airborne allergens Contact Allergies -triggered by allergens that affect your skin Insect Sting Allergies - triggered by the venom in some insects

• Normal Immune Response

• IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD and various immune cells respond to attack.

• Foreign substance is eliminated

• Misguided Immune Response

• IgE is overproduced in response to cat dander, pollens, and other harmless allergens.

• Subsequent exposure results in an allergic reaction.

Hay Fever

• Hay fever (Allergic Rhinitis) is the most common of the allergic diseases and refers to seasonal nasal symptoms that are due to pollens. Year round or perennial allergic rhinitis is usually due to indoor allergens, such as dust mites or molds. Symptoms result from the inflammation of the tissues that line the inside of the nose (mucus lining or membranes) after allergens are inhaled. Adjacent areas, such as the ears, sinuses, and throat can also be involved.

Hay Fever

• Runny nose

• Stuffy nose

• Sneezing

• Nasal itching (rubbing)

• Itchy ears and throat

• Post nasal drip (throat clearing)

Asthma

• Asthma is a breathing problem that results from the inflammation and spasm of the lung's air passages (bronchial tubes). The inflammation causes a narrowing of the air passages, which limits the flow of air into and out of the lungs. Asthma is most often, but not always, related to allergies.

Asthma

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

• Coughing

• Chest tightness

Respiratory AllergiesMild Symptoms:

• Sneezing • Coughing or wheezing • Postnasal drip • Itchy nose and throat • Throat hoarseness • Impaired sense of smell • Runny or clogged nose with clear, thin mucus • Watery, itchy, red, or swollen eyes • Congestion • Fatigue • Conjunctivitis (inflammation of membrane that lines eyelids, causing

swollen eyelids and redness around the eyes)

Respiratory Allergies Severe Symptoms:

• Shortness of breath

• Difficulty breathing

• Chest tightness and pain

Allergic Eyes

• Allergic Eyes (Allergic Conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the tissue layers (membranes) that cover the surface of the eyeball and the undersurface of the eyelid. The inflammation occurs a result of an allergic reaction.

Allergic Eyes

• Redness under the lids and of the eye overall

• Watery, itchy eyes

• Swelling of the membranes

Allergic Eczema

• Allergic Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) is an allergic rash that is usually not caused by skin contact with an allergen. This condition is commonly associated with allergic rhinitis or asthma.

Allergic Eczema

• Itching, redness, and or dryness of the skin

• Rash on the face, especially children

• Rash around the eyes, in the elbow creases, and behind the knees, especially in adults

Contact Allergies • Symptoms of a contact allergy usually occur within 30

minutes after exposure to the allergen, although symptoms may take up to several hours to appear. Common contact allergens include poison oak and poison ivy, latex, rubber, nickel, preservatives, dyes, medications, fragrances, and cosmetics such as hair dye and perfume. Nickel, a metal very commonly used in jewelry, buttons, hairpins, metal clips, zippers and snaps, is the source of much misery for those allergic to it. Exposure to the sun can also cause reactions.

Contact AllergiesMild Symptoms:

• An itchy or bumpy rash

• Fluid-filled bumps on skin

• Redness or swelling of skin

• Hives

• Eczema (inflamed, dry, cracked skin covered in pimples or blisters)

Contact Allergies Severe Symptoms:

• Anaphylaxis

Hives

• Hives (Urticaria) are skin reactions that appear as itchy swellings and can occur on any part of the body. Hives can be caused by an allergic reaction, such as to a food or medication, but they also may occur in non-allergic people.

Hives

• Raised red welts

• Intense itching

Food Allergies

• Symptoms of a food allergy usually occur within minutes after ingesting the food allergen, although some may not occur for several hours. The symptoms may be isolated only to areas around the mouth, lips and digestive tract, or they may involve other areas of the body. Foods that most commonly cause allergic reactions include milk, eggs, nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.

Food Allergies Mild Symptoms:

• Itching, tingling or swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat

• Tightness in the throat • Difficulty swallowing or speaking • Nausea • Abdominal cramps and indigestion • Diarrhea and vomiting • Skin rashes • Congestion, coughing, sneezing, or wheezing • Stuffy, itchy, or runny nose

Food Allergies Severe Symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing

• Dizziness, sweating, and faintness

• Rapid increase in heart rate

• Sudden hoarseness or inability to speak

• Immediate and extreme facial swelling and itching

• Anaphylaxis

Insect Sting Allergies

• Symptoms of an insect sting allergy usually occur within the first 15 to 30 minutes after the sting, although symptoms may take up to several hours to appear. Insect venoms that most commonly cause allergic reactions are from bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets and fire ants.

Insect Sting Allergies Mild Symptoms:

• Pain, itching, and swelling at the site of the sting or sometimes over a larger area such as the entire hand or forearm

• Fever • Nausea or fatigue • Hives, itching, and swelling in areas other than the

sting site • Tightness in the chest and difficulty in breathing • Swelling of the tongue

Insect Sting Allergies Severe Symptoms:

• Anaphylaxis

Medications that Commonly Induce an Allergic Reaction

• Penicillin and related antibiotics • Sulfa drugs • Barbiturates • Anticonvulsants • Insulin preparations (particularly animal sources of insulin) • Local anesthetics such as Novocain • Iodine (found in X-ray contrast dyes) • Allopurinol (prescribed for gout) • Anti-seizure drugs • Anti-arrhythmia (heart) medications

Allergic Shock

• Allergic Shock (Anaphylaxis or Anaphylactic Shock) is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can affect a number of organs at the same time. This response typically occurs when the allergen is eaten (for example, foods) or injected (for example, a bee sting).

Allergic Shock

• Hives or reddish discoloration of the skin

• Nasal congestion

• Swelling of the throat

• Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting

• Shortness of breath, wheezing

• Low blood pressure or shock

Anaphylaxis

• Flushing of the skin • Tingling or itching around the body • Swelling of the mouth and throat area • Difficulty swallowing and breathing • Tightness of the chest • Confusion, agitation, or lightheadedness • Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea • Irregular heartbeat

Anaphylaxis

• In the most severe cases the sufferer can go into shock. Swelling of the bronchial tissues in the lungs can cause a person to choke and lose consciousness. A precipitous drop in blood pressure due to dilated (expanded) blood vessels can also result in a loss of consciousness.

• In such cases of anaphylactic shock it is imperative that treatment be administered immediately. Without prompt attention anaphylactic shock can be fatal.