When
body's immune system starts reacting to normally harmless substances, it is
called an allergy. Allergies are caused either due to hereditary reasons or
environmental factors. Substances that cause allergic reactions are called
allergens. Drugs, food, dust, insect venom, pet dander and pollen are few examples
of common allergens. When a person who is suffering from allergy comes in
contact with allergen, his/her immune system launches an attack. Symptoms of an
allergic reaction can be varied depending on the allergen. Common symptoms subsume
but are not restricted to stuffy nose, cough, breathlessness, redness and
irritation in eyes, skin rash, itching, blisters, nausea, vomiting etc.
There
are plenty of allergy treatments
procedures but before the treatment it is essential to know the exact cause of
allergy. Allergy testing is performed to discover if the symptoms observed are
due to some allergy or some other reason. Skin patch testing and intra-dermal
testing are two of the most frequently used procedures for allergy testing.
Other methods involve blood test, complete blood count and eosinophil (white
blood cell) count.
Allergy treatment
is of two types. In the first type, the patient is advised to avoid contact or
reduce exposure to the allergen so as not to trigger the allergic reaction.
This is mainly done in cases where allergy is caused by certain food or drug.
In the second case medicines or immunotherapy is prescribed to suppress/cure
allergies. Medicine depends on the symptoms, age and overall health of the
patient. In allergy treatment, several
antagonistic drugs are used to block the action of allergic mediators. These
include antihistamines, glucocorticoids (steroid hormones), epinephrine
(adrenaline), theophylline and cromolyn sodium. These drugs help to mollify the
symptoms of allergy, and play an important role in the recovery of acute
anaphylaxis.
In
anti-allergy immunotherapy or hypo-sensitization, the person is gradually
vaccinated with progressively larger doses of the subject allergen. This either
reduces or eliminates the hypersensitivity altogether. In other words, the
person builds up immunity to increase the amounts of the allergen. Many studies
have shown the long-term efficacy and the preventive effect of immunotherapy.
Whether the symptoms are strong or weak, the patient must consult a doctor for allergy treatment. In modern times, allergies can be easily detected and controlled, however, if not treated properly allergies can also be life threatening. Awareness about ones allergy and its treatment is imperative for avoiding the allergen and counteracting it if exposed accidentally.
