Allergy Symptoms Articles | Allergies

By: Joe Dively

At one time or another almost everyone on the planet has experienced some type of allergic reaction.  The most common allergy symptoms occur when confronted with seasonal allergens such as pollen or ragweed, and may cause itchiness, a runny nose and sneezing. Although annoying these symptoms can be fairly easy to control and cause no real serious health affects. 

Those suffering more severe allergic reactions (often in the case of food allergies), may experience congestion or even difficulty breathing.  In rare instances, a constriction of the airways can even cause death.  That’s why understanding your allergies and treating them properly is so important to staying healthy and symptom free.

Most allergies are categorized by three types of reactions; mild, moderate and severe. 

Mild allergic reactions remain in the affected area, not spreading to other parts of the body and may include:

·    A Rash.
·    Itchy, or watery eyes.
·    Congestion .

These are usually caused by airborne allergens such as pollen, pet dander or even dust mites and can often be treated with over-the-counter medications as well as prescription drugs.

Moderate allergic reactions can spread to other parts of the body and may include such symptoms as:

·    Itchiness.
·    Difficulty breathing.

These are often treated by prescription medications.  Sudden reactions can often be eased with common antimissiles, until the patient can get to a doctor for emergency help. 

A Severe Allergic Reaction also known as Anaphylaxis, can actually be life threatening.
Anaphylaxis is rare, but serious.  It is a life-threatening emergency in which the body's response to the allergen comes on suddenly (without much if any warning),and can affect the entire body and how it works.  Anaphylaxis often begins with sudden itching of the eyes or face.  Within minutes it may progress to more serious symptoms, which may include:

·    Varying degrees of swellings that can make breathing and swallowing difficult.
·    Abdominal pain.
·    Cramps.
·    Vomiting.
·    Diarrhea.
·    Mental confusion or dizziness.

In the event you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, prompt medical care is required.  Should the reactions begin to constrict the patient’s airways or ability to breathe properly, death may occur within minutes.   Even when an epi-pen is administered (given to allergy patients in the form of a one-dose shot of epinephrine to ease breathing), and the symptoms begin to subside, medical attention is necessary to ensure that the patient is safe and ok.   The most common culprits of severe allergic reactions are a variety of foods including a variety of nuts, seeds, eggs, and even some dairy products. 

Those with severe food allergies should refrain from eating or touching foods containing these ingredients in order to prevent life-threatening symptoms from occurring.

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ALLERGIES Article #7
Title: Relief From Hay Fever
Word Count: 415

You know the drill.  Every spring the sun comes out.  The weather starts to warm up, and the flowers start to bloom – achoo!  Your sneezing has begun! It’s allergy time once again!  Within days your nose is red and raw from all the blowing.  Your throat is scratchy and your head hurts.  Every muscle in your body aches and you wish it were the dead of winter again.  At least in the depth of frigid temperatures and knee-deep snow, your allergies stay at bay.

April showers may bring colorful flowers, but they bring spring allergies!  Sure, there may be help on your local pharmacy counter, but who really wants to be popping antihistamines all season long?  Besides, they often make you tired and cranky. Well, now you don’t have to!  There are some alternatives. Finding relief from your hay fever symptoms may be right under your nose!

Many doctors are now suggesting simple saline rinses to help relieve symptoms by flushing out the allergens in your nose that can take care of many of those pesky seasonal symptoms.

Done several times every day a simple saline rinse may help to flush excess mucus and pollen from your sinuses. And the salt solution also helps to shrink inflamed blood vessels in your nose like common decongestants, which will relieve many of the irritating symptoms associated with hay fever and other seasonal allergies without any medicinal side effects. 

To try making a saline rinse at home, simply take a squirt bottle (it has to have a narrow tip); mix 8 ounces of water, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and a sprinkle of baking soda together in the bottle (this will help thin the mucus in your nasal passages) and squirt.  Or, you can buy pre-made mixtures or pre-measured kits at the local pharmacy.  Simply squirt the solution into your nasal cavity several times a day.

Nasal creams have also been found effective in relieving nasal inflammation and keeping allergens away. A recent study found that a petroleum-based ointment applied to the inside of the nose reduced patients’ allergy symptoms by 60 percent. Or, if that’s unavailable, a simple put a dab of petroleum jelly on the tip of a cotton swab is known to do the trick.  Simply dab a little on the inside of your nose. 

As you can see, alleviating your hay fever symptoms doesn’t have to difficult or expensive. Try these simple tips for quick relief.  What do you have to lose, but the sneezes?