Allergies

In this article we're going to discuss a common form of battling allergies with the use of allergy shots and how allergy shots work to build up a person's immunity to outside allergens.

A growing number of people who suffer from allergies and not finding the relief that they want from antihistamines are turning towards allergy shots to hopefully put and end to their dreaded sneezing, wheezing, itching and misery. 

So exactly what are allergy shots?  Allergy shots actually contain a very small amount of whatever it is that you're allergic to.  If you have multiple allergies, such as a combination of indoor and outdoor allergies, then two shots are actually given.  One for the outdoor allergies and one for the indoor allergies. 

How do allergy shots work?  Well, in theory it's actually very simple.  Allergy shots help your body fight the allergen that is bothering you.  When you get shots of the allergen itself your body makes antibodies to the allergen.  These antibodies help block the effects of the allergen itself.  Your symptoms become less severe because the antibodies block the way your body reacts to the allergens.  After taking enough of these shots over a long period of time you might start to get relief from your symptoms.  This relief should last for a very long time. 

Many kinds of allergies can be battled with allergy shots.  They work very well with allergies to pollen, or what is commonly called hay fever.  They also work for eye allergies, bee sting allergies, and even some drug allergies.  In many people, allergy shots can greatly improve asthma symptoms.  Most people will get allergy shots after they have exhausted every other option. 

Unfortunately, not everyone can get allergy shots.  If you have severe asthma or a heart problem you should not get allergy shots.  Also, if you take a beta blocker for a heart condition you shouldn't take allergy shots.  Children under five years of age should also not get allergy shots.  Also, you shouldn't start allergy shots if you are pregnant.  

If you decide, along with your doctor, to get allergy shots, he will first have to give you an allergy test to determine what allergies you have.  This test in effect is actual treatment as some of each allergen has to be injected into you in order to do the test.  After the results are in, a vaccine can be made which can then be given on a weekly or biweekly basis or for whatever interval the doctor thinks is necessary. 

Once you start taking your shots you will at first have to take them every week or every other week.  After about 6 months most people can go on what is called maintenance and get shots once each month.  This usually continues for about 3 to 5 years until eventually most people no longer need to take shots because their immunity has been built up enough to the allergens. 

Allergy shots are normally not harmful but some people do have reactions to them.  If you should have a severe reaction the doctor will usually keep you in his office for about 20 minutes each time you get your shot so that if you have a reaction he can give you something to counteract it.

>Food Allergies

>* Milk *

Being allergic to cow’s milk isn’t the same as being
lactose intolerant.

* Eggs *

You can be allergic to either the whites of the yolk.
This type of food allergy is more prevalent in
children, but does affect some adults.

* Peanut *

Most people, adults and children with food allergies,
are allergic to peanuts too.

* Tree nut *

More children have nut allergies than adults. The
symptoms of nut and peanut allergies are the same, but
being allergic to one doesn’t necessarily mean you’re
allergic to the other.

* Seafood *

This is more common in, but not limited, to children.
The fish allergens can be passed through the air by
people eating or cooking fish near you.

* Shellfish *

Similar to seafood allergies. But having one doesn’t
mean being allergic to the other.

* Soy *

People allergic to soy need to be especially careful
when eating Asian foods or using Asian sauces.

* Wheat *

This is most commonly a food allergy, but can also be
a respiratory contact allergy.

In the United States these are referred to as "the big
eight". Over 90% of U.S. food allergies consist of
these foods.

Allergens differ in other countries, but these 8 make
the top 10 in many places through out the world.

Food allergies may be based on contact. In East Asia
where rice makes up a large part of the diet, rice
allergies are more common, as are celery allergies in
Central Europe.

>Allergy’s Favorite Symptoms

>If allergies had a top ten list of their favorite
symptoms what would be on it? Would they prefer life
threatening or just really annoying?

The most common symptoms, that may or may not be on
their favorites list:

Breathing problems.

This one should be fun for an allergy. It really gets
the persons attention. Nothing like the lack of oxygen
to center a person’s attention on the allergy.

Burning, watery or itchy eyes.

This symptom falls into the really annoying category.
It could cause additional problems if you can’t see
where you’re going.

Red, swollen eyes, also called Conjunctivitis.

Certainly annoying, but most people can deal with this
one.

Coughing.

This one gets old real quick. And a constant cough
quickly becomes painful.

Diarrhea.

This one might start out in the annoying category, but
left unchecked could switch to the life threatening
section very quickly.

Headache.

Depending on the severity of the headache, this one
might be tolerable.

Hives.

This symptom is not only annoying and uncomfortable
(possibly painful) it draws the attention of strangers
on the street.

Itchy nose, mouth, throat or skin.

Another in the category of really annoying. An itch
that can’t be soothed is one of the most annoying
things there is.

Runny nose.

Yeah, this one could cause problems with other people.
No one likes to hear someone constantly sniffing or
blowing their nose. Makes people wonder what germs
you’re spreading around.

Skin rashes.

Possibly ugly to look at, but tolerable