What Is An Allergy?

Allergies affect many of us occasionally, some of us frequently, and range in degree from mild to severe. But have you ever actually wondered what an allergy IS?

According to the National Women's Health Resource Center, an allergy is a reaction of a person's immune system to a substance -- called an allergen -- that doesn't cause problems for most people. The immune system treats the allergen as an invader by generating large amounts of Immunoglobulin E antibodies (IgE), that attach to the body's tissue and blood cells. These cells are then triggered to release powerful inflammatory chemicals like histamine, cytokines and leukotrienes, which in turn cause allergy symptoms.

Allergies can be caused by airborne substances, food, medicine, or even something that's absorbed through the skin, such as poison ivy. In the upcoming tips, we'll take a closer look at allergies caused by airborne allergens, such as dust and pollen.

The information in this tip is intended only to help you better understand women's health issues. It is not intended to replace the advice of a health care professional. If you read something in a tip that contradicts what your health care professional recommends, take your health care professional's advice.

Signs of An Allergy

In our last tip, we defined allergies -- specifically, those caused by airborne substances. Not sure if you're having a reaction? (Many times, allergy symptoms can be confused with a cold). Here are the sure-fire signs, as outlined by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences:

- Sneezing, watery eyes or cold symptoms that last more than 10 days without a fever. - Repeated ear and sinus infections. - Loss of smell or taste. - Frequent throat clearing, hoarseness, coughing or wheezing (asthma). - Dark circles under the eyes caused by increased blood flow near the sinuses (allergic shines).

Identifying Offending Allergens

If you or someone you know suffers from allergies, the most important thing to do is to identify which offending substances -- called allergens -- are wreaking havoc on your system. That way, you can limit your exposure to them or avoid them altogether (or in serious cases, become immunized to an allergen through allergy injection therapy).

Airborne allergens include, but are not limited to, cigarette smoke, cockroaches, dust mites, grass, house dust, mold spores, pets and animals, ragweed and trees.

If it isn't obvious which of these substances is causing an allergic reaction, see a general practitioner or allergist. He or she will look at your symptoms, ask lots of questions and may even perform blood tests or skin tests to determine the offending allergens.

Treatment Options for Fighting Airborne Allergens

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with an allergy to an airborne substance, you have only a few treatment options. The easiest option, of course, is to avoid or limit the offending allergen (more in our next tips). If avoidance isn't possible, your healthcare provider may suggest over-the-counter or prescription medicines, such as antihistamines or decongestants. As a last resort, or if symptoms are serious, you can undergo a series of injections called immunotherapy, or allergy vaccine therapy.

Women's Health Tip of the Day

What Are Dust Mites?

Do you suffer from allergies? One of the most common offenders is dust mites.

As explained by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), dust mites are tiny microscopic relatives of the spider and live on mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains. These tiny creatures feed on the flakes of skin that people and pets shed daily and they thrive in warm and humid environments.

(Tip-in-a-tip: To view a dust mite up close, if you dare, go to the link below and select the first article, "Cleaning is Mite-y Good")!

No matter how clean a home is, dust mites cannot be totally eliminated. However, the number of mites can be reduced.

We'll tell you how in our next tips....

Reducing Dust Mites: Wash Bedding Frequently

Allergic to dust mites? While you can't eliminate mites from your house completely, there are some things you can do to reduce their number. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) recommends the following:

Wash all bedding and blankets once a week in hot water (at least 130 - 140°F) to kill dust mites.

Reducing Dust Mites: Choose Synthetic or Washable Materials

Allergic to dust mites? While you can't eliminate mites from your house completely, there are some things you can do to reduce their number. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) recommends the following:

- Replace wool or feathered bedding with synthetic materials and traditional stuffed animals with washable ones. Avoid dust collectors like wicker baskets and dried flowers.

Reducing Dust Mites: Avoid Wall-to-Wall Carpets and Heavy Drapes

Allergic to dust mites? While you can't eliminate mites from your house completely, there are some things you can do to reduce their number. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) recommends the following:

- If possible, replace wall-to-wall carpets in bedrooms with bare floors (linoleum, tile or wood). - Replace heavy drapes and blinds with washable curtains or shades.

Reducing Dust Mites: Dust With Damp Cloth

Allergic to dust mites? While you can't eliminate mites from your house completely, there are some things you can do to reduce their number. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) recommends the following: - Use a damp mop or rag to remove dust [ideally, once a week]. Never use a dry cloth since this just stirs up mite allergens.

Reducing Dust Mites: Use Dehumidifier or Air Conditioner

Allergic to dust mites? While you can't eliminate mites from your house completely, there are some things you can do to reduce their number. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) recommends the following:

- Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to maintain relative humidity at about 50% or below. [Dust mites thrive in high humidity].

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reducing Dust Mites: Use A Vacuum That Traps Dust

Allergic to dust mites? While you can't eliminate mites from your house completely, there are some things you can do to reduce their number. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) recommends the following:

- Use a vacuum cleaner with either a double-layered microfilter bag or a HEPA filter to trap allergens that pass through a vacuum's exhaust. [Also be sure to wear protective gloves and a dust mask while cleaning.]

What Causes Pet Allergies?

Allergic to cats or dogs? The symptoms you experience are not caused by the animal's fur, per se, but by proteins secreted by their oil glands (shed as dander) and by proteins in their saliva (that stick to fur when animals lick themselves). Basically, the allergens of the offending cat or dog fill the air and cover the furniture and carpets of the house in which they live. And these allergens can remain for weeks and months after a pet is gone (so don't think removing a pet from your home will solve the problem instantly).

Coping With Pet Allergies

If you have a pet that is causing an allergic reaction, obviously, the easiest solution (in theory anyway) is to remove the animal from your home and then do some serious cleaning. But as all pet owners can attest, easier said than done. Fortunately, assuming you opt to keep the animal in your home, there are some ways to minimize allergy symptoms.

Pet allergens reside in dust, so as with dust mites, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, dust often with a damp cloth, invest in room air cleaners, wear a face mask while house cleaning, and remove carpets and soft furnishings that trap animal dander and dried proteins.

In addition:

* Bathe or have someone bathe your house cat weekly and brush it outdoors even more frequently. * If possible, keep pets out of your bedroom and confined to areas without carpets or upholstered furniture. * After touching a pet, wash your hands and clean your clothes to remove pet allergens.

-- Anonymous, February 10, 2002

Answers

* Bathe or have someone bathe your house cat weekly and brush it outdoors even more frequently. * If possible, keep pets out of your bedroom and confined to areas without carpets or upholstered furniture. * After touching a pet, wash your hands and clean your clothes to remove pet allergens.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Snort! Oh. Sorry.

-- Anonymous, February 10, 2002