Overview
Allergies refer to the response from the body to substances in our environment, resulting in an immune response and an abnormal bodily reaction. Some allergies are a simple inconvenience, while others can seriously affect a normal way of life.
Statistics show that 1 in 5 persons in America, and 1 in 4 persons in the UK suffer from allergies at some point in their lives. Additionally, each year the number of affected persons increases, with a growing majority of those sufferers being children.
There are varying indications of possible allergies that one can have ranging from very mild to severe. These include:
– Itchy, watery eyes
– Rash
– Congestion
– General itchiness
– Hives
– Difficulty breathing
– Bodily swellings
– Abdominal cramping
– Diarrhea
– Light-headed, foggy mental feeling
Causes
Allergic reactions are responses to various allergens found in our environment. Almost anything can be an allergen for someone, but some of the most common include: house dust mite, moulds, industrial and household chemicals, pets, pollen, insect bites, certain foods, cosmetics and latex.
Solutions
If you think that you or a loved one may be experiencing allergic reactions to a particular stimuli, there are various approaches that you can take. Without question, especially if the allergic reaction is severe and interrupting daily life, your family doctor is the first person that you should seek advice from. Beyond that, you will want to ask yourself some questions, making observations and taking simple actions:
– Which part of your body is affected?
– Do they appear at a specific time of day or year?
– Do they appear when you clean your house?
– Do you own any pets?
– Are you also affected by asthma or high blood pressure?
– What makes your allergic reactions worse?
– What changes can you make to reduce your exposure to these allergens?
Once you start paying attention to the things that may cause your condition to worsen, this is when you can start to make a conscious effort to improve your situation. It may be as simple as avoiding a certain food or changing your tub and tile cleaner. The sooner you act is the sooner you can begin enjoying a healthy lifestyle.
