Nose Knows » Insect Stings http://nose-knows.com Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:58:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 The Different Types of Allergic Reactions http://nose-knows.com/the-different-types-of-allergic-reactions/ http://nose-knows.com/the-different-types-of-allergic-reactions/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:58:05 +0000 admin http://nose-knows.com/the-different-types-of-allergic-reactions/
Andrew Moore asked:


Allergies are quite common today with practically everyone suffering from some form of allergy or the other. It is the overreaction of the immune system to antigens like bee stings, some food, insect stings or pollen that triggers an allergy. There are different types of allergic reactions that manifest itself in different ways in the body.

Allergies are generally mild with mild symptoms that go within a few days of getting rid of the trigger of the allergen. Occasionally, there are cases of people suffering from anaphylaxis which is a life threatening condition where there is difficulty in breathing and loss in consciousness.

One type of allergic reaction is seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. This is an allergic response to pollen and other microscopic substances that exist at certain times of the year. There are also conditions where allergic rhinitis works out to be perennial, or year round.

One of the types of allergic reactions is allergy to insect stings, which is very common. Some people however will not be aware of their allergy to insect stings until they are stung by an insect. More often than not, it is the second sting that triggers an allergy reaction while the first sting produces only a normal sting reaction. However if you have an allergy to insect stings, the severity of the reaction varies from person to person.

Allergy to latex is another of the types of allergic reactions where the person is allergic to substances made of natural latex. One of the main sources of this allergic reaction is rubber gloves while sometimes, latex that is used in other products like condoms and medical devices can trigger a reaction.

Mold allergy is an allergy that does not have a defined season as mold and fungi grow in all weather and thrive both indoors and outdoors. However some forms of outdoor mold tend to thrive in higher concentrations from spring to late fall. There are some people who suffer from allergy to cosmetics. With cosmetic allergy, you experience skin irritation because of some ingredients in the cosmetics like fragrances and preservatives. The two types of allergic reactions here are irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.

Some people are allergic to pets; where it is not the pet’s feathers or fur that triggers a reaction. It is the invisible flakes of animal skin called dander that triggers sneezing, watery eyes and stuffy noses in some people. When you suffer from food allergies, it means that some food likes peanuts and jalapeños trigger an allergic reaction.

Symptoms here are like symptoms for different types of allergic reactions like hives, swelling of the throat and tongue, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and a drop in blood pressure.

People suffering from allergic must know how to get first aid if it happens to them. Friend and family will be helpful if they know what it is. You will not know when it will be helpful.



]]> http://nose-knows.com/the-different-types-of-allergic-reactions/feed/ 0 What Is Immunotherapy For Allergies? Part 1/2 http://nose-knows.com/what-is-immunotherapy-for-allergies-part-12/ http://nose-knows.com/what-is-immunotherapy-for-allergies-part-12/#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:52:04 +0000 admin http://nose-knows.com/what-is-immunotherapy-for-allergies-part-12/ immunotherapyEric Morgan asked:

Here are some basic answers to questions you may have regarding allergen immunotherapy, also known as “allergy shots.”

Allergen immunotherapy is a treatment designed to decrease nasal allergies (also known as allergic rhinitis), allergic asthma and reactions caused by insect stings. Specific allergens are identified through allergy testing, so the allergist first knows what is causing the allergy symptoms, in order to effectively treat them. After the culprit has been identified, allergen immunotherapy involves getting injections of increasing amounts of specific allergens over the course of several months.

Does Immunology Work?

Aside from decreasing allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and congestion, Immunotherapy can help prevent the development of new allergies. In children, Immunotherapy can help prevent allergic rhinitis from progressing into asthma. Even after the treatments have stopped, allergen immunotherapy often leads to long-lasting relief of allergy symptoms.

Many studies have shown that immunotherapy is effective for the treatment of nasal allergies, for both adults and children. A review of 18 published studies involving nearly 800 patients concluded that immunotherapy is highly effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. An extensive review of immunotherapy as a treatment for allergic rhinitis in children, showed that the only treatment able to affect the natural cause of the disease is immunotherapy. Studies showing the effectiveness of immunotherapy suggest that roughly 8 out of 10 allergy patients benefit significantly from immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy may also prevent the onset of asthma, and a review of multiple studies showed that allergen immunotherapy is also an effective treatment for asthma. These studies have indicated that treatment with immunotherapy results in reduced symptoms of asthma and improved pulmonary functions, and at the same time, reduces the need for asthma medications.

For individuals with a previously demonstrated allergic susceptibility to insect stings, immunization with insect venom is an extremely effective treatment for preventing future allergic reactions. A review of nine published studies indicates that a course of immunotherapy is highly effective in the management of insect sting allergy. Immunology can be a great alternative if you have any of the following concerns:

Poor response to medications

Impractical or impossible to avoid the offending allergens

Negative medication side effects

Wanting to avoid long-term medications or reduce the cost of medications

Coexisting allergic rhinitis and asthma

Possible prevention of asthma in children

Individuals with allergic asthma

If Immunotherapy Works Why Doesn’t Everyone Do It?

People who have very light symptoms or have found an effective medication that eliminates symptoms, may not need immunotherapy. For others, the time and commitment involved in starting and undergoing immunotherapy can be seen as an obstacle, especially when looking for a “quick fix”. In time however, more and more patients are realizing that the long-term benefits of immunotherapy are much better than having to be on medications for the rest of their life.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Receiving Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is recommended for those with allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis (involving various nasal symptoms) and conjunctivitis, or stinging insect allergy. It may be the best option for those who have difficulty controlling symptoms through avoidance or medication. Other considerations are that you do not like the side effects of allergy medication, the allergy medications are inconvenient, or having to take multiple medications in order to control symptoms. Immunotherapy is not recommended for those with food allergies. The best treatment for severe food allergies is to strictly avoid the offending food. The decision to begin immunotherapy will be based on several factors including:

Length of allergy season and how severe symptoms are.

How well medications and/or environmental controls take care of the allergy symptoms.

Wanting to avoid long-term reliance on medication.

Immunotherapy will require a significant time commitment-are you willing to make the commitment to the therapy?

Cost: may vary depending on insurance coverage.

Will Insurance Pay For Immunology?

Most insurance companies and HMOs will pay for immunotherapy, especially if your primary care doctor refers you to an allergist and the allergist recommends immunotherapy as part of your treatment. Even patients with milder symptoms may be recommended immunotherapy to avoid worsening of symptoms, particularly if they cannot always avoid the things they are allergic to, such as a family pet, bee stings, or specific native plants.

Who Is a Good Candidate for receiving immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is recommended for those with allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis (involving various nasal symptoms) and conjunctivitis, or stinging insect allergy. It may be the best option for those who have difficulty controlling symptoms through avoidance or medication. Other considerations are that you do not like the side effects of allergy medication, the allergy medications are inconvenient, or having to take multiple medications in order to control symptoms. Immunotherapy is not recommended for those with food allergies. The best treatment for severe food allergies is to strictly avoid the offending food. The decision to begin immunotherapy will be based on several factors including:

Length of allergy season and how severe symptoms are.

How well medications and/or environmental controls take care of the allergy symptoms.

Wanting to avoid long-term reliance on medication.

Immunotherapy will require a significant time commitment-are you willing to make the commitment to the therapy?

Cost: may vary depending on insurance coverage.

How Is the Treatment Administered?

A very small hypodermic syringe is used to inject commercial allergen extracts. The injections are usually at the site of the loose tissue over the back of the upper arm, between the shoulder and elbow. This area is the least painful site for injection as there are very few nerve endings. Injections are given under the skin (”subcutaneous”). When administered correctly, the injections should only be slightly uncomfortable. They are not usually painful, and are well tolerated by adults, teenagers and most children. You may be advised to take an antihistamine a few hours before each injection to reduce the likelihood of any local allergic reaction and other side effects.

Can Young Children Receive Immunotherapy?

Children over the age of 5 may be good candidates for the therapy. Very young child will likely have difficulty cooperating with the immunotherapy regimen. However, immunotherapy can be a good option for children in general. Studies suggest that immunotherapy treatments may prevent the development of new allergies in children, and may help prevent the development of asthma in children who have rhinitis.

Is There an Age Limit to Receiving Immunotherapy?

Not really. Anyone from age 5 on up may benefit from receiving immunotherapy. With elderly persons, consideration should be given to the overall health and chronic medical conditions (such as cardiac disease), which could potentially cause problems. However most healthy children and adults can benefit from Immunotherapy treatments.

Where Does the Immunotherapy Take Place?

Ideally, immunotherapy should always be given in the prescribing allergist/immunologist’s office/clinic. If this is not possible for some extenuating circumstance, your allergist/immunologist should provide the supervising physician with all needed information about your specific treatment. Either way, you must always be in the care of an appropriate medical professional, who is qualified to administer Immunotherapy.

]]> http://nose-knows.com/what-is-immunotherapy-for-allergies-part-12/feed/ 0 Give Me 5 Minutes and I’ll Show You How to Choose the Best Allergy Relief Products http://nose-knows.com/give-me-5-minutes-and-ill-show-you-how-to-choose-the-best-allergy-relief-products/ http://nose-knows.com/give-me-5-minutes-and-ill-show-you-how-to-choose-the-best-allergy-relief-products/#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 08:59:38 +0000 admin http://nose-knows.com/give-me-5-minutes-and-ill-show-you-how-to-choose-the-best-allergy-relief-products/
Darrin Reservitz asked:


The different types of allergies can also have varying manifestations. The most common allergy symptoms affect the nose, sinuses, eyes, air passages, ears, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. If we were to name the different types of allergies based on the manifestations they have, there would be three major groups: respiratory, skin, and anaphylaxis.

The most common respiratory types of allergies involve rhinitis and asthma. These two usually manifest reaction in the nose, sinuses, and the other respiratory organs. Allergic rhinitis, for instance, is the inflammation of the nasal cavity and may cause symptoms such as a runny nose, fits of sneezing, congestion, and a sore throat. Allergic asthma, meanwhile, makes a person experience breathing problems, such as gasping, wheezing, chest tightness, et cetera. The most common allergy relief products that address the symptoms of both rhinitis and asthma are antihistamines.

Skin allergies, on the other hand, usually manifest themselves in the form of rashes. Some of the more common skin allergies are eczema, which is an inflamed thick rash that sometimes scales off; urticaria, which is an itchy rash that can be as small as pimples or as big as irritated insect bites; and contact dermatitis, which results in swollen rashes that may even ooze fluid and is sometimes caused by exposure to poisonous plants or highly allergenic materials. Skin allergy sufferers must refrain from touching their rashes. They can treat the irritation with allergy relief products such as specific salves or ointments. These types of allergies that involve the skin may call for consultation with a professional.

The most serious of allergic reactions is anaphylaxis. Different types of allergies may trigger anaphylactic shock, which can lead to death. Shellfish, nuts, eggs, insect stings, and some drugs can bring forth anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis affects your body by causing your blood pressure to drop, triggering fainting spells, making your face swell, and hindering normal respiration. There are allergy relief products that can address anaphylaxis and their immediate use is of great import.

It will serve anyone well to arm himself with information about various types of allergies and the specific allergy relief products to treat the symptoms. Even if a person does not have allergies, it would still be beneficial for him to know what to do in case he encounters somebody who is having an allergic reaction and may need his help. Knowing about allergies can save lives.



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