ALLERGIES
Allergies reflect an overreaction
of the immune system to substances that usually cause no reaction in most individuals. These substances can trigger coughing,
itching, sneezing and wheezing. Allergies are not only bothersome but many have been linked to a variety of common and serious
chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma and sinusitis. Allergic reactions can be severe and even fatal.
COMMON ALLERGIC REACTIONS
1. ALLERGIC
ASTHMA
Characterized by airway obstruction.
Symptoms
include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, chest tightness and occasional fatigue and slight chest
pain.
2. ALLERGIC
CONJUNCTIVITIS (Eye Allergy)
Characterized by inflammation of the eyes.
It is the most common form of allergic eye disease.
Symptoms can include itchy and
watery eyes and lid distress.
Allergic conjunctivitis is also commonly associated with
the presence of other allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis.
3.
ALLERGIC RHINITIS (Hay Fever)
Characterized by clear nasal discharge, itching of the roof of the mouth and/or ears, nasal itching, nasal stuffiness
and sneezing.
4. ANAPHYLAXIS
(Life Threatening)
Characterized by life threatening symptoms.
This is a medical emergency and the most severe form of allergic reaction.
Symptoms
include bloating and chest tightness. Generalized warmth or flush, light headedness, sense of impeding doom and tingling of
palms, soles of feet or lips.
The above can progress into cardiac arrhythmia, seizures
and shock and respiratory distress.
Possible causes can be food, insect bites/stings, latex
and medications.
5. ATOPIC
DERMATITIS
A chronic or recurrent inflammatory skin disease characterized by
flaking, lesions and scaling.
6. CONTACT
DERMATITIS (Eczema)
Characterized by skin inflammation.
Contact
dermatitis is one of the most common skin diseases in adults.
This is the most common occupational
disease representing up to 40 percent of all occupational illnesses.
There are currently about
3,000 known contact allergens.
7. DRUG
ALLERGY
Characterized by a variety of allergic responses affecting any tissue
or organ.
Drug allergies can cause anaphylaxis.
8. FOOD ALLERGY
Most prevalent
in very young children and is frequently outgrown.
Food allergies are characterized by a broad range of allergic
reactions.
Symptoms may include chest tightness, decreased blood pressure, diarrhea, itching of
the eyes, itching or swelling of lips or tongue, loss of consciousness and wheezing.
Food
allergies can cause anaphylaxis.
9. INSECT
BITE/STING ALLERGY
Characterized by a variety of allergic reactions.
Stings cannot always be avoided and can happen to anyone.
Symptoms include itching,
pain and swelling at the site of the bite/sting.
Insect bite/sting allergies can cause anaphylaxis.
10.
LATEX ALLERGY
An allergic response to the proteins in natural, latex rubber characterized by a range of allergic reactions.
Persons at risk include healthcare workers, patients having multiple surgeries and rubber industry workers.
Symptoms include coughing, eczema, hand dermatitis, sneezing, urticaria and wheezing.
11.
UTICARIA (Hives)
A reaction of the skin or a skin condition commonly known as hives.
Characterized
by the development of itchy, raised white bumps on the skin surrounded by an area of red inflammation.
Acute urticaria
is often caused by an allergy to foods or medication.