Allergy Q & A:
- Is it a cold or seasonal allergies?
- Will I ever outgrow my allergies?
- What causes seasonal allergies?
- Which of the following substances is not a cause of eye allergies?
-grass pollen
-cigarette smoke
-pet dander
-mold - Not all allergies are caused by what's outside.
Which of the following is not a source of house dust?
-cockroaches
-mattresses
-laundry detergents
-all of these contribute to dust - Is there a cure for seasonal allergies?
- How do I find out if I have seasonal allergies and what I'm allergic to?
- How are allergies treated?
Allergy Information
Some common asthma triggers:
animal dander, ragweed pollen,
and the microscopic house dust mite.
Powered by American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
Is it a cold or seasonal allergies?
Allergies and colds share common symptoms, like sneezing and runny nose. However, seasonal allergies do not produce a common cold symptom, fever. Cold viruses typically do not produce a common allergy symptom, nasal itching. Colds often include muscle aches, not common with allergies. Also, seasonal allergies can last longer than colds - during high pollen seasons. If your "cold" lasts a few weeks you should check with your doctor.
Many people may not realize they have allergies, often attributing their congestion and runny nose to a cold. Left untreated, allergies can cause more serious conditions like sinusitis or ear infections. It is important to decipher between allergies and colds:
Runny nose with thin, watery discharge; sneezing; congestion; wheezing; itchy nose, throat and eyes.
Onset: Symptoms begin almost immediately after exposure to allergen(s). If seasonal allergies, symptoms occur at the same time every year. If perennial allergies, symptoms are present year-round.
Duration: Symptoms last as long as you are exposed to the allergen.
Cold Symptoms:
Runny nose with watery to thick yellow discharge; sneezing; low grade fever; weakness and fatigue.
Onset: Symptoms develop within one to three days of exposure to the cold virus.
Duration: Five to seven days.
Allergies Symptoms:
Powered by U.S. Food and Drug Administration, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
Will I ever outgrow my allergies?
Experts believe allergy sufferers do not outgrow their disease. While seasonal allergies may improve spontaneously, especially during childhood and adolescence, they may simply be dormant. Symptoms tend to recur after dormancy and may actually worsen over time.
What causes seasonal allergies?
An allergic reaction is your immune system reacting to a foreign substance in your system, like pollen. If you have seasonal allergies and are exposed to pollen, your body releases histamine which in turn can cause your runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing and other symptoms.
Which of the following substances is not a cause of eye allergies?
-grass pollen
-cigarette smoke
-pet dander
-mold
cigarette smoke
Allergens that may be present indoors or outdoors can cause eye allergies. The most common outdoor airborne allergens are grass, tree and weed pollens. People who are sensitive to these allergens suffer from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, the most common type of eye allergy. Allergic conjunctivitis is marked by red, itchy, burning or watering eyes.
Pet hair or dander, dust mites and molds are the most common indoor allergens. These indoor allergens can trigger symptoms for some people throughout the year, resulting in perennial allergic conjunctivitis. Although cigarette smoke, perfume and diesel exhaust may inflame your eyes, they act as irritants rather than triggering an allergic response. They can, however, make your allergy symptoms worse.
Not all allergies are caused by what's outside. Which of the following is not a source of house dust?
-cockroaches
-mattresses
-laundry detergents
-all of these contribute to dust
All of these contribute to dust
House dust is produced indoors from several sources, including disintegrated stuffing from mattresses, pillows, quilts, and upholstered furniture. Human skin scales, animal dander, parts of cockroaches and other insects, saliva, molds and mildew, bacteria, viruses, and pollen are all also sources. Additionally, the mixture can include tobacco smoke, cosmetic powders, baby powder and powdered laundry detergents, aerosols such as air fresheners, and cleaning products with strong odors.
House dust also contains microscopic dust mites. These mites, which live in bedding, upholestered furniture, and carpets, thrive in summer and die in winter. In a warm, humid house, however, they continue to thrive even in the coldest months. The particles seen floating in a shaft of sunlight include dead dust mites and their waste products. These waste products, which are proteins, actually provoke the allergic reaction.
Waste products of cockroaches are also an important cause of allergy symptoms, particularly in some urban areas of the United States. Recent studies have found the proteins in cockroach saliva are particularly allergenic but the body and droppings of cockroaches also contain allergenic proteins.
Is there a cure for seasonal allergies?
There are procedures and medications that help control seasonal allergies, but you still may need to continue them on an ongoing basis.
How do I find out if I have seasonal allergies and what I'm allergic to?
Visit your doctor. Specialists use tests to isolate and detect what you're allergic to.
Three ways: Avoidance simply means avoiding things you're allergic to. If the allergen is too common to avoid (like pollen), drug therapy or allergen immunotherapy (allergy injections) may be used to reduce or control the symptoms.
Powered by U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology,
Aventis
Pharmaceuticals Inc