An allergy is an untoward physiologic event where there is an acquired specific change in the reactivity of the host, mediated by an immune mechanism. To simply put it, an allergy occurs when a person is abnormally sensitive to specific substances (what we call allergens) that are normally harmless to most people. These allergens may be food, pollen, house dust mites, animal dander, molds and many others.
The different forms of allergies are:
1. allergic rhinitis
2. asthma
3. atopic dermatitis or eczema
4. urticaria or hives
5. food allergy
The best way to combat allergies is to avoid the triggers. For inhaled allergens, the following may be done:
1. Avoid going out during dry, windy days. But if you can't help it, just shower immediately when you get home to wash away all the pollen on your hair and skin.
2. Remove curtains, upholstered furniture and carpets to decrease the dust mites. If this is not possible, clean them frequently. Use damp cloth and mop when cleaning the floors. Or you may use your vacuum cleaner. For highly sensitive people, you may also opt to cover your mattresses and pillows with plastic.
3. Avoid pets in the house. Pets should stay outside of the house . If this is not possible, just bathe them frequently to decrease animal dander in the house.
4. Remove house plants. Clean the bathroom frequently-- shower curtains, windows, damp walls. Keep the room well-ventilated to prevent appearance of molds.
The different forms of allergies are:
1. allergic rhinitis
2. asthma
3. atopic dermatitis or eczema
4. urticaria or hives
5. food allergy
The best way to combat allergies is to avoid the triggers. For inhaled allergens, the following may be done:
1. Avoid going out during dry, windy days. But if you can't help it, just shower immediately when you get home to wash away all the pollen on your hair and skin.
2. Remove curtains, upholstered furniture and carpets to decrease the dust mites. If this is not possible, clean them frequently. Use damp cloth and mop when cleaning the floors. Or you may use your vacuum cleaner. For highly sensitive people, you may also opt to cover your mattresses and pillows with plastic.
3. Avoid pets in the house. Pets should stay outside of the house . If this is not possible, just bathe them frequently to decrease animal dander in the house.
4. Remove house plants. Clean the bathroom frequently-- shower curtains, windows, damp walls. Keep the room well-ventilated to prevent appearance of molds.
Allergic attacks are bothersome. Drugs that help relieve the symptoms are the following:
1. Antihistamines - They come in syrup and tablet form which are usually taken once or twice a day. Examples are loratadine, cetirizine and desloratadine
2. Decongestants - These drugs relieve nasal congestion.
3. Steroids - They come in syrup, tablet and nasal spray.
4. Montelukast - This comes in tablet and also in granules (for children). This one is given in patients with frequent allergic attacks . It is for maintenance therapy given to
prevent future allergic attacks.
1. Antihistamines - They come in syrup and tablet form which are usually taken once or twice a day. Examples are loratadine, cetirizine and desloratadine
2. Decongestants - These drugs relieve nasal congestion.
3. Steroids - They come in syrup, tablet and nasal spray.
4. Montelukast - This comes in tablet and also in granules (for children). This one is given in patients with frequent allergic attacks . It is for maintenance therapy given to
prevent future allergic attacks.
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