All About Allergies

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Discovering Hayfever: Their Symptoms and Treatments

Hayfever typically reduces the quality of life especially if the combination of unpleasant indications occurs. It could extremely interfere with study, work and leisure. Conditions are severely worse in teenagers and young adults ranging from the age of twenty to thirty years old.

Hayfever symptoms are categorized into nasal symptoms such as rapid and frequent sneezing, itchy and running nose, blocked or stuffy nose and eye symptoms such as watery, red, itchy eyes. Other symptoms associated with the disease are dry, itchy tongue and throat, itchy ears and headache added with sleep disturbances, depression, listlessness and failure of concentration.

There are available medications effective for Hayfever which the doctors can prescribe. Systemic antihistamines tablets taken orally and topical steroids such as corticosteroids, antihistamines, and non steroidals serving as anti allergy medication are the most widely used Hayfever treatments.

- Antihistamines give relief to sneezing, itchy and running nose and irritation of the eye.
- Topical treatments are applied to the eyes or nose reducing nasal and eye symptoms.
- Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids prevent allergic reactions reducing nasal lining inflammation.

Hayfever can be prevented by reducing or avoiding exposures to pollens.

- Verify pollen counts from radio, local newspapers or TV reports and stay inside if it is high.
- Pollen counts are at its peak during early evening so avoid staying outside.
- Sleep with closed windows.
- Always close the car windows and doors.
- Let someone do the lawn mowing.
- Protect your eyes from pollens by wearing sunglasses.
- Pollen counts are lower on the seaside so you can stay there.
- Seek medical treatment from a doctor or allergists.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Grass Allergy Overview and their Facts

Grass allergy is acquired from too much exposure or having direct contacts from grass allergens. Pollens from grass are airborne allergens causing the allergic reactions manifested by symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion and running nose. Eyes are also affected characterized by itchiness, redness and watery eyes condition.

Airborne pollens cause skin allergies when it has direct contacts on the skin. Grass pollinates in the late spring or summer so it increases dust or even produces dust storms.

Grass allergy can be prevented by learning and educating yourself about the pollen cycles in your location for tracking symptoms of allergies. To be sure about the allergens which cause the allergic reactions, you must undergo allergy testing. It will able to determine if grass pollens able to trigger the allergic reactions in you.

Avoid places where in there is overly high pollen counts. You can wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from direct contacts to allergens. Take a bath or wash your hair after exposure to excessive pollen counts.

- The best way of preventing grass allergy is to avoid exposures to airborne allergens.
- Grass allergen tablets intake once a day dissolves using the tongue moderately reduces symptoms of grass allergy.
- Antihistamines and topical nasal corticosteroids are also recommended bringing partial relief.
- Small dozes of desensitizing injections are effective however the procedure is not convenient and comfortable.
- Immunotherapy is also recommended reducing symptoms of grass allergy. This is helpful in minimizing your sensitivity to pollens because it exposes you to regular or controlled counts of pollens.