What's going around this month.....Allergies
Welcome to the April 2011 issue of the Health Matters Newsletter. The Health Matters
Newsletter is published on a monthly basis on the Health Center home page, and is
linked to the weekly Campus Report. The purpose of the newsletter is to share information,
regarding pertinent medical issues and health and wellness suggestions with the students,
faculty, and staff here at SUNY Fredonia. This month's topic is "Allergies".
Spring is in the air. The snow has melted, the grass is starting to
get greener, and everything is beginning to show its new blossoms.
Although spring brings out the beauty in nature, those of us who have
spring allergies know that this beauty can bring on some not so pleasant
symptoms such as sniffling, sneezing, watery eyes and a runny nose.
What are allergies?
Allergies are a reaction by the body’s immune system to normally
harmless substances, such as pollen, mold, animal dander, etc. The
allergy causing substances are called allergens.
How do allergies occur?
Your immune system is your body’s natural defense against infection
and other foreign material. Before you can have a reaction to a
particular substance, your immune system must first be sensitized to
it. This means that your body has to have been exposed to the substance
at least once before. Once sensitized, your body will react every time
you have contact with that substance. Many substances can cause an
allergic reaction. Here are the most common ones:
- Animal Dander
- Dust and dust mites
- Insect stings
These allergens may cause different kinds of allergic reactions. The
most common allergic conditions are hay fever (sneezing, runny nose and
watery eyes). Some can cause a skin rash. And others can cause an
asthmatic type reaction with wheezing and chest tightness.
Airborne allergens such as mold and pollen of trees, grasses and weeds cause hay fever.
Pollens, molds, and house dust can trigger asthma attacks.
reactions of the skin can have many possible causes. These irritants,
such as hair and skin products, nickel in jewelry and belt buckles, dyes
in leather or fabric and poison ivy and oak, can cause an allergic
reaction when they touch your skin.
- Food, such as shellfish, eggs, milk, nuts, and peanuts can cause
allergy symptoms as well. These can range from a simple rash or stomach
ache to difficulty breathing and chest tightness.
Why do some people get allergies and others do not?
It is not known why some people develop allergies to certain
substances. Allergies run in families, but not every family member may
be allergic to the same thing. The type of reaction to a certain
allergen can be different as well. Some people can have a simple
sniffle or rash, others the reaction may be more severe. This type of a
reaction is called anaphylaxis. It is a life threatening emergency
that can affect breathing and circulation within several minutes.
Insect stings, certain foods, and drugs such as penicillin are some of
the more common causes of severe allergic reactions.
What are the symptoms of allergies?
The symptoms of an allergic reaction depend on the type and severity of the reaction.
Common symptoms of an allergy are:
- Watery eyes
- Stuffy or runny nose
- A rash or hives (raised, red, itchy areas on the skin)
- Stomach cramps
Some of the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction are:
- Fast pulse
- Trouble breathing, including wheezing
Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Pale, cool, damp skin
- Drowsiness, confusion, or loss of consciousness
How are allergies diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask you about your history of symptoms
and examine you. There are tests to find out which allergens are
causing your symptoms. For most people, the best tests are skin scratch
tests. For these tests, your provider looks for reactions to tiny
amounts of suspected allergens placed under your skin. In some cases
you may have blood test to help find what you are allergic to.
To identify a food allergy, your provider may suggest that you try to
find which foods cause a reaction by avoiding certain foods for a
while. Then you can carefully try eating these foods again, one by one,
to see if your symptoms come back.
How are allergies treated?
Mild symptoms may not need treatment. Or, depending on the type of
allergy you have and your symptoms, your healthcare provider may
- Steroid medicine
Quick-acting, inhaled bronchodilators to treat breathing problems
In some cases, your provider may suggest allergy shots. A mixture is
prepared that contains the allergens identified in your allergy
testes. The mixture is injected into your skin in tiny but increasing
amounts over the course of many months. Over time, the shots make you
less sensitive to the allergens. Usually after 4 to 6 months of allergy
shots you will begin to have relief from your allergies. You will
probably need to continue these shots for 2 to 3 years, sometimes
If you have severe allergies, your provider may prescribe an EpiPen
emergency kit for you to carry with you at all times. The kit contains a
ready-to-use syringe of epinephrine. If you have a severe allergic
reaction, someone with you can give you a hot of this medicine to
counteract the allergy symptoms until you get medical care. The kit is
not intended as the sole treatment of an allergic reaction. It gives
you to time to get to a medical provider for treatment. If you have a
severe allergic reaction, you need to call 911 right away. Use an
EpiPen if you have one. Teach family members and coworkers how to help
you if you have a severe reaction.
How long does an allergic reaction last?
The effects of an allergic reaction depend on how much you have been
exposed to an allergen and how severe your allergy is. You may have
symptoms for several minutes, hours or days. Some people outgrow their
allergies. Others may have allergies all their life.
How can I take care of myself with allergies?
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.
- Try to avoid the things you are allergic to.
- If you tend to have severe allergy reactions, ask your provider
about carrying medicine with you, such as an EpiPen, for emergency use.
Wear an ID, such as a Medic Alert bracelet, that lists your severe
How can I help prevent allergies?
There is no known way to prevent allergies. If your family has a
very strong history of allergies, you might try to avid your family’s
most common allergens.
Cigarette smoke can make hay fever and asthma symptoms worse. You
can help your symptoms by not smoking. It also helps to avoid being
around others who are smoking. Children living in homes with smokers
are more likely to develop asthma.
Where can I get more information about allergies?
- The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology offers a
variety of services. They can provide educational materials, pollen
count reports and maps, and a physician referral directory. Call
800-822-2762 or visit their web site at http://www.aaaai.org.
- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American offers educational
programs and services. They also offer asthma and allergy support
groups across the country for adults, parents, teens, and caregivers.
Call 800-727-8462 or visit their web site at http://www.aafa.org.
The American Lung
Association offers educational materials and support group
information. Check your local telephone listing for a chapter near you,
call 800-586-4872, or visit their web site at http://www.lungusa.org.
The Food Allergy
& Anaphylaxis Network is a worldwide network that provides
educational materials, allergy alerts, and research studies related to
food allergies. Call 800-929-4040 or visit their web site at http://www.foodallergy.org.