Monthly Archives: August 2015

Drug Allergies- Symptoms and Diagnosis

There are certain different types of allergies which are common these days. One of them is drug allergy which is a result of medication that causes the immune system to react. Developing a rash, or breathing problem are the major concerns that cause drug allergy. These symptoms occur in the body when the medication you had caused the immune system to react and become sensitized to a substance. This as a result causes the immune system to fight the invader and hence, release chemicals that could protect the body and fight against it.

What Symptoms You Can Notice?

Whatever is the type of medicine whether it is liquid, in pills form or is inject able the body can react to it. The most common symptoms of drug allergy are skin rashes, itching, swelling or even breathing problems. It can also occur as in two different organs such as having skin rashes as well as having problem in breathing. These symptoms are not organ specific ,i.e.. they can occur in any part of the body.

Diagnosing Well

These allergies caused due to drug are really hard to diagnose. For some allergies such as rahes, swelling or hives resemble various other allergies. If you have penicillin type allergy then you are having an advantage as it can be diagnosed through a skin test.

You will need to answer your doctor about certain questions:

Any idea about the drug that may have caused the reaction?
When you did first took the medicine? Are you still consuming it?
When did you first notice the symptoms? What changes did you notice in your body?
How long did those symptoms last? What did you try to get relieve from them?
Any other medication you went through?
Consumption of any herbal medicine or any did you consume any minerals or vitamin pills?

Knowing these your doctor can easily find a treatment for your drug allergy. If you are susceptible to any other drug allergy or any other medications then you must inform your doctor about the same.

You may be suggested some tests such as skin tests or blood tests to reach the actual cause of your allergy. Drug allergies must not be given a chance. You must go to your allergy doctor to get a suitable advice.

When to Reach For Allergy Clinics?

It may be that things that you are sensitive to may not do any harm to others. You are sensitive to some product and when you get in contact with it you may go through certain allergies. Allergy is a reaction caused by the immune system in response to the trigger that enters inside the body. People who are suffering from allergies are exposed to the same product unknowingly as it never happens at first place. Pollens, medicines, food, molds, house dust, latex rubber or venom of insects are the allergens that trigger the reaction.

Why Are Only Certain People Allergic?

In children, developing allergies come from allergic parent. If one or both of the parents have certain allergies then the child develops these allergies too. Even in some people, as per the scientists these allergies are a result from one or both parents being allergic. But being allergic to a certain product is not fixed for anyone. Also it can be a result of weak immune system which causes the allergen to enter inside.

What Does Allergic Reaction Means?

At the first place, when the person comes in contact with the allergen the immune system creates the defense against it. Immune system works by creating a body defense against the invader such as the bacteria or the viruses. But at most of the times it responds ad creates to false triggers and alarms.

Immunoglobin E or IgE is an antibody which is generated by the immune system. Each antibody is created for a particular trigger; for example, say an antibody for pollens and other for dust.

Signs And Symptoms

People are very much familiar to the signs and symptoms of airborne allergies. These symptoms vary from person to person. There are some which you may be familiar to.

Sneezing with runny nose or clogged nose.
Watering eyes.
Itching nose, throat and eyes.
Conjunctivitis
Coughing and cold, postnal drip
Dark Circles under eyes; Allergic Shiners
Crease mark on the nose; Allergic Salute.

In contrast to people who are not allergic, the foreign particles in the throat are moved by mucus. They are either swallowed or coughed out. But it is not the same in case of an allergic person. Hence, it is really important to know your triggers or take advice from asthma clinics and get rid of allergic symptoms.

Food Allergies and Its Causes

Food allergies are one of the most common types that everyone comes across at any point of time. When people have an unpleasant reaction to the food they had during the day it is termed as food allergy. But the truth being, not every food reaction that body shows is food allergy. Food allergy is often confused with intolerance to food. Food allergy comes when some food items trigger your immune system to danger. This half knowledge about allergy is creating a misinterpretation about the clinically proven and people’s perception to food allergies.

Causes of Allergic Reactions to Food

The allergens present in the food are the triggers or the ingredients that are responsible for allergic reactions. It is contributed by both the environmental factors as well as heredity. These allergens crossing the digestive enzymes enter the blood stream to cause a reaction through whole body. The mechanism constitutes of the immune system and heredity as a part.

The tendency of any individual to produce immunoglobulin; something which moves around the blood; in the food is responsible for heredity allergic reaction. Generally people who have an allergy with food are those which have allergic parents. People who have two allergic parents are the one most likely to have such allergies.

Another important factor in the mechanism is the hypersensitivity reaction. This means that to have an allergic reaction the body needs to be exposed to the reaction previously. The next time that person gets in contact with the same food the reaction occurs in the body.

Facts about Allergy

It differs from food intolerance which is much common than food allergy.
In children the food allergy may grow but in adults it usually does not.
The food allergies in children are those which are very different from allergies in adults.
Food allergies are generally not very common but they can be serious enough.
The detailed history of the patient is used for the diagnosis so as to have certain foods eliminated from diet.
The primary treatment of food allergy is from dietary avoidance.

People those who are suffering from food allergies must diagnose themselves and identify the cause. This helps to get you away from the devastating illness and severe reactions. If not taken care of food allergies can grow out to be serious. They can be mild but are really severe in nature. You can also consult with Allergy Doctor.

Drug Allergy: When to Seek a Doctor?

Many a times you yourself might have faced allergies due to medications. Several different types of allergic reactions occur as a result of different medicines and drugs. Drug allergy is one of the most unwanted and commonly found results that occur from drugs. The results vary from person to person and body’s response. The reactions can be mild like rashes on body or may even be serious effects on the vital body organs. The skin is the most sensitive of all and hence gets allergic to the medication.

Overview of Drug Allergy

These symptoms of drug allergy can even be life threatening. An allergic reaction is not seen by the very first time you had the medicine. It is more likely to occur by the time you have the same medicine again. And if you think it is the first time you took medication and you fall sick then it is probably because you were exposed to the same drug without having any notice about it.

Other causes of the reaction to the drug are the interactions that take place inside the body. When you take two or more drugs they interact with each other. If the body is unable to break down the medicine properly may be because of liver or kidney it causes allergy. Other major reasons can be the overdose or non allergic reactions that may have occurred before. It is really very important to inform your doctor before any medication about the non allergy in the best possible manner.

Self- Care to Drug Allergies

For various skin reactions that occur from various drug reactions there can be self help done. You can perform various measures to take care of your skin. Firstly, you need to go to cold showers or may even apply cool compress. You must go for light clothes so that you may not irritate your skin with clothes.

It is good if you keep your activity level for few days. You may also apply calamine lotion to reduce itching. Another great option can be using antihistamines that are non- prescribed. They can be Benadryl or chlor- trimeton. They are dissolvable in nature so they can easily reach the system. Another great advantage of using them is that they have lesser side effects than the ones mentioned above.

If you have more of severe reactions then it is advised to go for the help of doctor to treat drug allergies.

Asthma: Treatment, Attacks, and Symptoms

Asthma is a condition when people have problem breathing. It is a disease which has an impact on the airways that carry air to your lungs and bring back air from lungs. Such a chronic condition whether recurrent or long- lasting is painful and uncomfortable. People who suffer from such a condition are said to be asthmatic. A good asthma treatment can help you live a normal and an active lifestyle.

What Happens To Your Body?

The airways inside the body have these inside walls which get swollen and inflamed. This as a result makes the airways extremely sensitive to irritations. Hence this increases body’s susceptibility to an allergic reaction. A narrowed airway leads to a situation where less air can pass both from and towards the lungs. There are symptoms such as problems in breathing, chest tightens, or hissing sound while breathing. An asthmatic usually experiences these symptoms during the early morning or the night time.

What happens in an Asthma Attack?

Sometimes the attack of asthma can be sudden in nature. They can be moderate, mild or even may be an extreme one. During the asthma attack the symptoms are usually worse than usual one. The muscles which are present near or around the airways tighten up to narrow the airway. This increases the inflammation causing the airways to narrow further. As a result less air passes through the airway. And many-a-times the mucus is produced in more quantities which undermines the flow of mucus even more.

If the asthma is not taken care of you will find yourself being behind from daily activities. If you are a student or a working person you will have to miss your job and studies often. You will not be able to go around and take part in activities.

If you are suffering from asthma you must immediately seek the advice from your doctor. A good asthma treatment can be beneficial for your health. You will be able to figure out the triggers that increases the symptoms of asthma in your body. Furthermore, you will be able to avoid them. Suitable prescriptions and medications for your asthma can help you in proper asthma treatment and you will be able to manage your asthma too. With an experience you will learn to control and avoiding the triggers that worsen your situation. This will help you to be a able to live an active and healthy lifestyle.