The Rx For Allergy Sufferers

Allergies. Most people suffer from them one way or another—whether it’s hay fever in the spring, mold in the fall, or peanuts all year round. Common allergies can be caused by pet hair, foods, metals, latex, dust, pollen, prescription drugs, and other substances. An allergic reaction is your body’s response to allergens, substances your body identifies as invaders, even if they’re tolerable for most people. Allergies generally cause a mild to moderate reaction like hives, the sniffles, or an upset stomach. Nevertheless, living with an allergy can be more than a minor irritation.

Here are some tips from the National Institutes of Health, The Cleveland Clinic, and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology to help alleviate your allergy symptoms and to help you be more understanding of others’:

• An allergist can identify the source of your symptoms with a simple test by lightly pricking your skin with needles to introduce a number of allergen extracts. Discomfort is minimal and confirmed allergens cause tiny red bumps on the skin. The procedure identifies most allergens within minutes, though some may take a few days.
• Carefully read food labels—for example, if someone is allergic to corn he’s also allergic to corn syrup. And avoid popular allergens, such as peanuts, when you’re cooking for people you don’t know.
• Control household dust and pet hair with careful cleaning and airtight plastic/polyurethane coverings on pillows and mattresses.
• Talk to your doctor about medications such as antihistamines or corticosteroids. Allergy shots, a series of injections to build up your tolerance to allergens, are another option.
• If you’re allergic to bee stings, always carry an EpiPen, which contains epinephrine, the life-saving medication for people who have had an anaphylactic reaction. The EpiPen looks like a pen and is easy to carry. If you’re stung, just uncap it and push it into your thigh to deliver the medication within seconds to minutes after the sting.
• If your child has a severe food allergy, notify babysitters, teachers, and other parents, and explain the symptoms and treatment. Teach the child to ask for help in case of a reaction and not to share lunches or snacks with playmates.

The good news is that are many saviors for allergy sufferers. Find the one that works best for you.

For more information on allergies and treatment, check out MedlinePlus, an online health encyclopedia resource from the National Institutes of Health.