FREE ESSAY ON ALLERGIES

ALLERGIES

An allergy is an abnormal reaction to ordinarily harmless substance or substances. These
sensitizing substances, called allergens, may be inhaled, swallowed or come into contact
with the skin. When an allergen is absorbed into the body it triggers white blood cells
to produce IgE antibodies. These antibodies attach themselves to mast cells causing
release of potent chemical mediators such as histamine, causing typical allergic
symptoms. A person who has allergies doesn't have a poor immune system, rather an over
protective one. Their immune system fights the allergen when it comes in contact with it
even though the allergen isn't harmful. 
To diagnose allergies a physician will clean the person's back with alcohol, then mark it
with an ink pen according to each substance going to tested. They are extracts of
potential allergens in small vials. A drop of these is put on the corresponding mark on
your skin, and then a needle is used to prick the skin. It breaks the surface of the skin
so that the extract can enter. If an extract provokes an allergic reaction, the patient
will develop an irritation that may look like a mosquito bite. The ones which promote
reactions are the ones in which the person is allergic to and needs to get medication
for.
Allergies are quite common. An estimated 50 to 60 million Americans, about one of every
five adults and children, suffer from allergies, including allergic asthma. Allergies are
the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States. More than 35 million
Americans suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis, for instance, and this is only one form
of allergy. Millions more suffer from food allergies, allergies to medications, and even
contact dermatitis (a type of allergic reaction that occurs when your skin comes into
contact with an irritating substance).
Allergies have a genetic component. If only one parent has allergies, chances are one in
three that each child will have an allergy. If both parents have allergies, it is much
more likely (7 in 10) that their children will have allergies.
Although any environmental material can cause allergies, certain ones are encountered
more frequently than are others. Inhalants such as pollens, mold spores, animal products
(dander, saliva, urine), house dust, and house dust mites are very common allergies.
There are Foods such as cow's milk, eggs, chicken, shellfish, whitefish, peanuts,
soybeans, wheat products, chocolate, celery, and all products containing one or more of
these ingredients. Some individuals are allergic to food additives, such as sulfites
(used as a preservative), nitrates, and others. There are people who are allergic to
drugs such as penicillin. Substances which touch the skin can also cause allergic
reactions, which include plant oils, cosmetics and perfumes, nickel in jewelry or on
buckles and under garment fasteners, hair dyes, topical medications including their
additives. 
One unusual reaction is the severe allergic reactions caused by direct contact with latex
found in gloves, catheters, condoms, dental dams, and other medical devices. These
disorders are reportedly caused by allergy to a protein in the latex.
The best pets, for a person with allergies, are turtles, hermit crabs, fish, snakes or
any animal that does not have hair and dander.
The Allergies in nature throughout the United States vary when they occur in the
different parts of the country. In the Northeast (where we live) they go as follows:
trees are from March to June, grasses are from May to August, and ragweed is from August
to October (except northern tips of Maine and Michigan).
There are 3 main steps in the treatment of allergies: avoid the specific allergen,
medication (drugs can be taken for the target organ affected), and Immunotherapy is
appropriate in some, but not all, allergy conditions. 
The types of medication used in helping the allergies in people are Steroids (reduce the
inflammation or swelling of the nasal tissue), Antihistamines (counteract the histamine
released in the body which causes the many symptoms), Bronchodilators (relieve difficulty
in breathing), and Decongestants (reduce the congestion). These don't actually cure
allergies but they can reduce the effects of them.
Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay
fever) and other allergies. They work by preventing the effects of histamine, a substance
produced by the body during an allergic reaction. Antihistamines come in tablet, capsule,
liquid, or injection form and are available both over-the-counter and by prescription.
Many antihistamines cause drowsiness, but newer antihistamines (terfenadine, astemazole,
loratadine, and others not yet released) rarely cause this side effect. Other common side
effects include dry mouth, difficult urination, constipation and confusion. Some may
experience nightmares, unusual excitement or nervousness, restlessness or irritability. A
famous Antihistamine used today is Claritin (loratadine) and is one of the most widely
used drugs to treat allergies today.
Decongestants are used to treat nasal congestion and other symptoms associated with colds
and allergies. They work by narrowing blood vessels, leading to the clearing of nasal
congestion. Decongestants are available both over-the-counter and by prescription. The
commonly used forms are liquid and tablet. Nose sprays or drops may be used for acute
situations but for no more than two to three days in a row. Over-the-counter nasal
sprays, if used for a prolonged period of time, can cause rebound rhinitis or nasal
congestion symptoms. Decongestants can cause nervousness, sleeplessness, or elevation in
blood pressure. If the nasal spray form is used too long, it may cause even more nasal
congestion.
Bronchodilators are used to relieve coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and
difficulty in breathing. They work by opening up the bronchial tubes (the air passages in
the lungs) so that more air can flow through. Bronchodilators include beta-agonists,
theophylline, and anticholinergics. They come in inhaled, tablet, capsule, liquid, or
injectible forms.
Bronchodilators may cause nausea, vomiting, headache, nervousness, restlessness, and
insomnia, especially in elderly patients and children, who are more sensitive to the
effects of medications. 
Cromolyn, nedocromil, and corticosteroids reduce the inflammation in the airways.
Inflammation causes the bronchi to become twitchy. A twitchy airway is more sensitive to
various asthma triggers such as exercise, cold air, smoke, cold viruses and allergens.
Anti-Inflammatory medications usually are prescribed in the inhaled form.
Corticosteroids, in some cases, are prescribed in oral form. Long-term use of
corticosteroids, particularly oral steroids, is not recommended, except in cases of
uncontrolled asthma. Long-term oral corticosteroid use may cause side effects such as
ulcers, weight gain, cataracts, weakening bones, high blood pressure, elevated blood
sugar, and easy bruising. Possible side effects from inhaled anti-inflammatory
medications include coughing and hoarseness. 
Signs of allergic reactions range from the very mild (almost unnoticeable) symptoms to
potentially life-threatening conditions that land countless Americans in hospital
emergency rooms each year. Anaphylaxis is an acute allergic reaction which affects the
whole body and requires immediate medical attention. Many people who are severely
allergic to something may have this reaction. Symptoms include anxiety, itching of the
skin, headache, nausea and vomiting, sneezing and coughing, abdominal cramps, hives and
swelling of tissues such as lips and joints, diarrhea, shortness of breath and wheezing,
low blood pressure, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. A quick, decisive epinephrine
injection can literally be a lifesaver in the case of exposure to an allergen that has
previously caused an reaction.
Allergy injections are a method of treating patients with hayfever and asthma. Small
amounts of an allergy extract (pollens, molds, animal danders, or dust) are injected at
regular intervals into the patient to build up protective antibodies and decrease the
patient's sensitivity. Injections are administered into the side of the arm with a very
short small gauge needle. These injections are given just under the skin in the
subcutaneous layer. After a buildup period, a high percentage of patients respond with
favorable results and are able to tolerate exposure to offending allergens without a
significant allergic reaction. Since a small percentage of patients can have a reaction
to the injection, patients usually wait 10-20 minutes in the doctor's office after the
injection.
There are a lot of myths on how to get rid of allergies. Moving to a new place such as
Arizona (like some people think) will make them get rid of their allergies. Changing the
set of allergens can't change that. The partial truth here is that the best treatment for
any allergy is to remove the source of allergens, something usually easier than moving.
Some people think that if you don't have a cold and you have a runny nose and you are
sneezing, then you have allergies.
Research in Arizona found that many people who believe they have allergies actually do
not have the antibodies in their blood necessary to provoke an allergic reaction.
Self-diagnosis isn't easy like most humans believe. Some other people believe that
Allergies and asthma are different parts of the same health problem. While they are
related, there are differences: Asthma can kill you, while allergies (except for
reactions to insect stings, certain foods and drugs) are more of a nuisance than a
threat. Just because you don't have allergies when you are a child, doesn't mean you
can't ever get them. Allergies can start at any age. However, allergies do tend to change
over time. Children are more allergic to foods. Young adults can become allergic to
pharmaceutical drugs, pollen and insect stings.
New advancements in drugs and other ways to help out allergies are being made as we
speak. The ways in which we take care of them is being updated all of the time and the
future holds great ideas on how to get rid of allergies. In the next few years, the drugs
that will be put out will lesson the symptoms and decrease in side effects. Because
allergies effect a vast amount of people in the world, medicines are being highly tested
in order to find the best ways to control the allergens.
Bibliography
"Allergic Diseases"
Pedianet.com 11 October 1999
Online. Available
http://www.pedianet.com/news/allergies/diseases/index.html 
11 October 1999
"Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Online"
11 October 1999. Online. Available
http://allergy.mcg.edu 
11 October 1999
"Health Notes"
Providence Journal 30 September 1999
Online. Available
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?Did=000000045452041&Fmt=3&Deli=1&Mtd=1&Idx=90&Sid=1&RQT=309

11 October 1999
"Learn About Allergies"
Claritin.com 8 October 1999
Online. Available
http://www.allergy-relief.com/learn/index.php3
8 October 1999
"National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases"
9 October 1999
Online. Available
http://web.fie.com/htdoc/fed/nih/ali/any/menu/any/aliindex.htm
11 October 1999
"The Allergy Center: Your Online Allergy Information Resource"
11 October 1999
Online. Available
http://www.onlineallergycenter.com
11 October 1999