Asthma Allergy
Per the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, 50 million Americans suffer from some type of allergy and 20 million Americans suffer from asthma . People with allergies and asthma can continue to live full active and productive lives. The key to living with these diseases is to prevent emergencies. A strong medical plan using medications to control symptoms is key.
An allergy or hypersensitivity is a disorder of the immune system characterized by excessive activation of mast cells (WBC) and basophils, which stores histamine, by a type of antibody, Immunoglobulin E (IgE), resulting in an allergic reaction. Allergies occur due to environmental substances known as allergens. The most common, allergic reactions are eczema, small skin rashes, itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, an asthma attack, or a more severe reaction to an allergen could be a whole body rash, urticaria (hives), closing of the throat, or edema of the tongue.
There are many tests available for diagnosing an allergy or specific allergen. The most common, least expensive, and most sensitive test is a skin sensitivity test also known as a scratch test. In this test a grid is drawn out on either forearms or the back and a small amount of the allergen is scratched on the skin surface (Food Allergy News Vol. 7, No. 4). The reaction is then recorded, it will look like a mosquito bite, if a result is questionable the sample would be done again in a slightly larger dose in a new area. Another common test is blood analyses which would check for the levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) to a particular allergen.
Allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nose), is one of the most common allergies. It causes symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, repeated sneezing and scratchy throat. Allergic rhinitis can be seasonal or perennial, allergic or non-allergic in nature. (M.D. Young & M.D. Dobozin & Miner, Allergies, 1999). Perennial allergic rhinitis is a year round allergic...
View Full Essay