Monthly Archives: September 2018

Everything you Need to Know About Allergies

According to statistics 30% of adults and 40% of children have allergies. Allergies result when your body comes into contact with allergens and reacts resulting in the production of histamines. The production of histamines causes one to itch, have watery eyes and other allergy symptoms. Allergens can be found in food, in the air, in your house, and in your clothes. It’s important that you visit the allergy physician for a diagnosis of what is causing your allergies. In this post, we educate you on what causes allergies and how to avoid allergens.

Causes of Allergies

Allergies can run in families and they may be inherited. If any member of your family has allergies, you are likely to suffer from allergies. Below is a list of substances that may cause allergies;

  • Dust and dust mites
  • Pollen and moulds
  • Pet Dander
  • Certain foods such eggs, nuts or shellfish
  • Certain medications such as penicillin
  • Some plants may cause allergies

Signs and symptoms of an allergy

The sign of allergy can be mild or severe. If you come into contact with an allergen your symptoms may become mild and then severe. If you notice any of the below signs, visit the allergy clinic and let the allergy specialist check you to avoid any severe symptoms. If you know what is causing the symptoms, avoid the allergen.

  • Itchy red spot on your skin
  • Itching and nasal congestion
  • Rashes and a feeling of scratching on the throat
  • Watery eyes.
  • Severe allergies will cause the below symptoms
  • Severe abdominal pain or cramping
  • Tight chest
  • Diarrhoea

You will find it difficult to swallow and feel dizzy

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Anxiety and high heart beat rate
  • Swollen face and feeling weak
  • Wheezing and breathing difficulties
  • Causes unconsciousness

Allergies can become severe within a short time and it’s important that you visit the allergy doctor for a diagnosis. Severe allergies are known as anaphylaxis and it’s life-threatening. It results in the below symptoms

  • Swollen airways and inability to breathe
  • The sudden drop in blood pressure

If you experience the above symptoms, ensure that you visit an allergy specialist as they can be fatal

Allergy Testing

The allergy physician will begin by asking you questions on your allergy history. The allergy specialist may request that you keep track of the allergy symptoms by documenting. Below the most common allergy test that an allergist will carry out.

  • Skin test which involves placing the allergens on the skin and gauging the reaction. The allergen may be placed in the skin, pricked under the skin or injected into the skin. A skin test will help diagnose

Food allergies such as peanuts

Pollen and mould allergy

Bites allergy such as mosquito bites

Medicine allergy such as penicillin

  • Challenge testing is used to test for food allergies It involves removing certain foods from your diet and checking whether there are any signs and symptoms. That is done until the food causing the allergy is identified
  • A blood test is carried out to check whether there are any antibodies produced to fight allergens. A blood test is recommended when skin testing is not effective

Treatment of Allergy

If you are experiencing mild allergies and you know the cause of the allergies, then you can avoid the allergen and use home remedies to clear off the symptoms. If you experience severe allergy its critical that you see an allergy doctor immediately for allergy testing and medication. The allergy specialist will prescribe antihistamines to help ease the allergies and also advice you on how best to minimize the chances of coming into contact with allergens. If you or a member of your family suffers from severe cases of allergies it’s wise to ensure that they have their medication at all times. If your child has allergies, make sure the caregiver knows how to take care of the child.

Conclusion

Preventive measures will ease your allergies. The allergy doctor will advise you on home remedies that will help ease your allergies. Simple procedures such as keeping your doors locked when the pollen count is high, will reduce the chances of an allergy.  It’s important that you identify what causes your allergies and avoid the allergen. Visit the allergy clinic if you experience any severe symptoms and let the allergist Manassas diagnose you.

Allergy and Asthma: The Similarities and Differences

Millions of people in the United States suffer from allergies and half of them also suffer from asthma. Allergies and asthma have common triggers and symptoms and that makes it hard to differentiate between them. Allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander that cause allergy could trigger asthma signs and symptoms. The likely hood of an asthma attack can be increased when one has allergies. It’s important that if you experience a severe allergic reaction that you visit the allergist to avoid the condition becoming fatal especially if you have an asthma history.

What are Allergies and What are the causes?

Allergy is the reaction to otherwise unharmful substances such as pollen, mold, dust pet dander. The main difference between an allergy attack and an asthma attack is the location of the reaction. Allergies affect the upper respiratory system. The reaction is caused when the body produces antibodies which trigger the production of histamines. Histamines will cause the below symptoms

  • Sneezing and congestion
  • Watery and Itchy eyes
  • Running Nose
  • Rashes and hives
  • An itchy throat
  • Causes of Allergies
  • Animal dander and dust mites
  • Cockroaches and Mold
  • Pollen

Most allergy symptoms disappear on their own after some hours. Avoid coming into contact with the allergy triggers. If the symptoms persist, visit the allergy doctor for a diagnosis.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a more serious condition and it’s critical you visit the allergy clinic and let the asthma doctor examine you. Asthma is caused by the same antibodies that cause allergies, but the reaction is in the lungs and upper bronchial passage. The passage becomes inflamed and closes, resulting in difficulty breathing and coughing. When one is experiencing an asthma attack there is a high production of mucus due to the inflamed membranes that line the airwaves. Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases and should be treated immediately to avoid fatalities. Make sure that you visit the asthma doctor for asthma treatment if you experience any of the below symptoms

  • Coughing and wheezing
  • Chest pains and shortness of breath
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Coughing at night and early morning

Types of Asthma

Asthma is either allergic or nonallergic.

  • Allergic asthma is triggered by the presence of allergens in the external environment. Allergens such as dust, pollen, and Mold will cause allergic asthma.
  • Non-Allergic Asthma, on the other hand, is more permanent and it’s triggered by internal factors such as infection, breathing polluted air or changes in the quality of air. Nonallergic asthma can also be triggered by sudden weather changes.

Are Allergies and Asthma Linked?

Allergies and asthma are linked in the following ways;

  • The location and severity of symptoms differ both allergies and asthma can be triggered by the same allergens.
  • They are seasonal and will mostly occur in spring or summer when there are more allergens
  • If you don’t visit the allergy clinic and get treatment for allergies they become asthma.
  • Both allergies and asthma can happen simultaneously due to allergens
Difference between Allergies and Asthma
  • Asthma can be caused by emotions,  such as sadness and infections while allergies can’t be caused by emotions. Allergies can only be caused by allergens
  • Allergies become less severe as you grow older. As you grow older the immune system is less dramatic towards allergens. Asthma becomes worse as you grow older as the damage respiratory system accumulates more. As your child grows older the likely hood of asthma attacks increases.
How to Deal with Allergies and Asthma
  • The first step is to see an allergy specialist to assess your situation. The allergy doctor will perform an allergy test and give you medication. Most of the symptoms of allergies and asthma will be cured by taking medicine such as antihistamines.
  • The next step is to come up with a plan on how to avoid allergens. Avoid going out when the pollen levels are high and keep your house allergen free.

It’s important that you understand how severe your allergies and asthma are and how to deal with your condition, to ensure they don’t become fatal. Visit the asthma clinic MD as soon as you experience symptoms that may lead to an asthma attack. Make sure you stay away from allergens and that will ease your allergies and asthma.