What is an allergy?
What are some common allergens?
What are the symptoms of allergies?
If you live with allergies, symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes, itchiness and nasal congestion cause you significant frustration and impact your daily life. Allergies can make you feel tired, irritable, restless, or generally unwell. You may have difficulty concentrating or performing properly at work or at school. Common physical symptoms include: itchy, watery, red eyes, congestion, stuffiness, sneezing, runny nose, itchy palate, hives, and an allergic cough.
Are allergies inherited?
Children of parents with allergies are much more likely to develop allergies than other children. Even if only one parent has allergies, a child has a 1 in 4 chance of developing them.
Can I cure my allergies?
The majority of allergies are genetically inherited. Therefore, instead of a cure, patients should work with their doctor to learn the best methods for keeping their allergies under control. Successful treatments of allergies include allergy shots, proper usage of medications and simple allergen avoidance techniques.
Will I ever grow out of my allergies?
Can I develop new allergies that I did not have before?
What are my treatment options?
You can help manage your allergies by following this 3-option approach:
1. Allergen avoidance
2. Medication (antihistamines, nasal steroids)
3. Allergy shots (immunotherapy)
Allergen Avoidance
Avoiding substances that trigger allergies is usually the first choice of many allergy sufferers. Though it is effective, it is difficult to avoid allergens completely, particularly for pet owners, and during hay fever season.
Anti-Allergy Medication
Oral antihistamines block the action of histamines, helping to prevent an allergic reaction from occurring even when exposed to potential allergens. Antihistamines are often most helpful when taken before symptoms develop.
AERIUS® is desloratadine , a fast-acting antihistamine which relieves allergy symptoms without causing drowsiness.
Allergy Shots
Immunotherapy (or allergy shots) is a series of injections designed to lessen your body’s reaction to allergens. Over time, this process helps build up your tolerance to a specific allergen to reduce future reactions.
How is asthma related to allergies?
Up to 75% of asthma patients also suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis. Asthma symptoms include chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing and cough, which are caused by the narrowing of the lungs. Although asthma may or may not be caused by allergens, most medical experts acknowledge a link between the two. In fact, having seasonal allergies appears to increase one’s risk of developing asthma.
Do my allergies mean I have a weak immune system?
Allergies are caused by a sensitive immune system, reacting to substances that are not necessarily dangerous. It does not mean your immune system is weak, just overprotective.
Where does the word ‘rhinitis’ come from?
The term “rhinitis” comes from two Greek words: “Rhino” for nose and “itis” for inflammation.
What is the meaning of the term ‘hay fever’? Does it come from hay?
The most common name for seasonal allergies is hay fever. Ironically, ‘hay fever’ is a misnomer: hay does not cause these allergies, or a fever. Hay fever got its name from early descriptions of sneezing, nasal congestion, and eye irritation while harvesting hay.
