Skin rashes, eyes itchiness, sneezing, breathing difficulties can be symptoms of Allergies. But how many people actually aware of this?
What is allergy?
Allergy is the phenomenon when our main defense of immune system overreacts with foreign substances. These substances can cause allergic reactions, called allergens.Allergens may be particles suspended in the air, inhaled by the respiratory system. In Malaysia, inhalant allergens are common, such as house dust mites, pollen, cockroaches, animal dander and hair, etc. It may also enter human body by either orally ingestion or injection, such as food, drugs, bee venom etc.
What are the symptoms of allergy?
Actually, clinical manifestations of allergy are quite different.
- Mild itchy nose
- Red, itchy, watery, or swollen eyes.
- Sneezing, runny nose
- Hay fever
- The throat may have post-nasal drip, frequent throat clearing, scratchy sore throat, itching and hoarseness.
- Breathing difficulty
- Tightness in chest
- Hives
- Fatigue
- Skin rashes
Most allergic symptoms are not life threatening, but they might lower the patients' quality of life.
Why do I have allergy?
For most people who is allergic, they usually have hereditarily allergic predispositions. In addition, exposure to the allergens, and that will trigger the allergic symptoms. If one of the parents has allergy, the chance of next generation who will suffer from atopic disease is 40 percent, moreover, if both parents have allergy, the chance of next generation who has atopic disease is booming to 70 percent.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of allergy with a risk assessment of anaphylaxis should be made by an appropriately trained healthcare provider on the basis of the family and/or student’s history. Appropriate skin and/or blood tests should be done by medical providers or by a specialist, such as an allergist.
This post has been edited by MeowLeng: Jul 28 2015, 02:42 PM
Attached thumbnail(s)
Allergy / Allergies info sharing, Information sharing about Allergy