Allergies Archives - Healthhype

6 Signs of Perfume and Deodorant Allergy

Dr. Chris — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:24:04 +0000

Are you reacting to your favorite perfume or deodorant? You may have an allergy to your fragrance and not realize it. A perfume and deodorant allergy is often misunderstood and reactions to fragrances are incorrectly labeled as an allergy. However, there is a difference between irritation caused by fragrances and an actual allergy. It is important to identify whether you have a perfume or deodorant allergy although the symptoms may seem similar to irritation to a fragrance. An allergy is often a more serious reaction and you should take the necessary measures to avoid the trigger fragrance altogether. Irritation or Allergy to Scents The human body is able to withstand exposure to various substances. Some will not cause any disturbance to the system but at times the body can react to the presence of even a few molecules of a specific substance. These substances may either act as an irritant or allergen. Wit irritation, the substance damages a part of the body and elicits inflammation. It can happen to any person although the amount of a substance to induce irritation can vary from person to person. An allergy is slightly different. Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a [...]

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Allergy Testing : Ways To Find Out If You Are Allergic

Dr. Chris — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 23:01:51 +0000

Allergies are a common problem among children and adults across the globe. It is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to otherwise harmless substances (allergens). Some allergies result in mild symptoms that a person has to manage over months and years. But other allergies can be very severe and lead to serious symptoms, some of which may be life-threatening. An allergic reaction results in inflammation in the hypersensitive tissue. These inflammatory symptoms appear similar to chemical and mechanical injury, autoimmune diseases, infections and other pathological mechanisms. Therefore allergy testing is necessary to differentiate symptoms that are due to an allergy from other problems. There are 4 different types of allergic reactions. All reactions are a combination of complex processes that occur within the body. It involves different cells and chemicals which work together to cause inflammation. It is important to realize that these processes are part of the immune system’s defense mechanism. Normally the reaction would occur when the body faces a threat in order to neutralize it and prevent any damage to the body. However, in an allergy these reactions are abnormally initiated when there is no threat. For this reason an allergy is referred to as immune [...]

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Latex Allergy

Dr. Chris — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:45:03 +0000

Definition A latex allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction to natural rubber latex found in a variety of household, work-related and medical items. Latex is a commonly occurring substance in modern life and particularly in the health care industry. Exposure to latex is therefore often unavoidable. While it does not cause any irritation nor pose a threat to most people, some individuals have varying degrees of hypersensitivity to latex. It can lead to minor symptoms like itching of the skin or can even progress to widespread and severe systemic manifestations which may be life threatening. Incidence Up to 1 in 20 people in the general population in the United States have a latex allergy. The incidence may be as high as 17% among health care workers and about 10% among workers in the rubber industry. A latex allergy is more common among atopic individuals – people who have an allergic disposition and experience related conditions like atopic dermatitis. There is no difference in the incidence between males and females but it tends to be more common among children and young adults. Pathophysiology Allergies arise when a person who is hypersensitive has an immune-mediated reaction when exposed to specific substances (allergens). Not [...]

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Causes of Tingling or Numb Lips

Jan Modric — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:01:57 +0000

Tingling or Numb Lips Lip tingling is abnormal feeling, and lip numbness is decreased or absent feeling in the lip. Both sensations, medically called paresthesia, arise from conditions affecting sensory nerves in the lips, but usually not from neurological diseases. Skin diseases also rarely cause tingling or numbness but rather itch, burning or pain in the lips. Main causes of tingling and numb lips are listed below. 1. Allergies Food allergy can result in tingling or swollen lips, tingling mouth, itchy throat or skin, appearing within few minutes (early reaction) or several hours (delayed reaction) after a meal, and lasting for several minutes to few hours. Other symptoms include hives, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness and shortness of breath. Read about common food allergies in children and adults. Chemical allergies. Allergic reaction to cosmetics, soap, medicines or other substances can also result in tingling lips. 2. Mineral Deficiences Hypocalcemia, hypokalemia and deranged levels of sodium, potassium or phosphate can result in tingling lips. Hypoglycemia Tingling lips can be a symptom of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level), occurring, for example in diabetes, because of insulin overdose or skipped meal, or due to rapid stomach emptying (dumping syndrome) after a meal. Other symptoms of hypoglycemia are nausea, hunger, pale skin, rapid [...]

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Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis – Lung Allergy to Inhaled Dust

Dr. Chris — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 22:48:05 +0000

Pneumonitis is the term for inflammation of the lungs, involving the respiratory and often the terminal bronchioles as well. This may arise as a result of trauma (chemical/physical), allergic reactions, airborne particles and drugs. It is often confused with pneumonia – pneumonitis is a broad term that includes lung inflammation from any cause while pneumonia is often reserved for lung inflammation due to an infection. However, the term pneumonia is more popular and to some extent has replaced the word pneumonitis to describe lung inflammation arising from infectious and non-infectious causes. Pneumoconiosis is lung disease caused by the inhalation of mineral (inorganic) dusts and may be seen as a type of pneumonitis. What is hypersensitivity pneumonitis? Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is inflammation of the lung as a result of an immune reaction to inhaled organic airborne particles. When these particles make contact with the walls of the bronchioles and alveoli, the antigen-antibody immune complexes (type III hypersensitivity response) and the involvement of immune cells in response to the antigens (type IV hypersensitivity response) propagates the inflammatory process. Read more on types of allergic reactions. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is also known as extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Causes of Hypersensitity Pneumonitis Hypersensitivity pneumonitis may arise with [...]

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Penicillin, Shortness of Breath and Anxiety

Dr. Chris — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:25:59 +0000

CarolAN Asked : I am not a person who gets sick often and as far as possible I try to stay away from drugs and let my body heal naturally. Recently I used penicillin and I noticed a bit of shortness of breath. I also became more anxious but I am not sure if this was anxiety due to the shortness of breath or worry about the condition I had. I had no other issues with penicillin so I did not mention it to my doctor at the time. This infection recurred a little while later and I started taking penicillin again. I did tell my pharmacist about this shortness of breath and anxiety and he told me that it could be an allergy to penicillin and sulfa drugs and I should speak to my doctor. I did not speak to my doctor and I noticed the same symptoms again but it went away when I finished the course of tablets. I don’t think it this shortness of breath or anxiety is related to the penicillin as I have used this antibiotic in childhood and never had a problem. But I am worried if I am developing an allergy and [...]

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Angioedema Causes and Types

Dr. Chris — Thu, 13 May 2010 00:01:39 +0000

Types of Angioedema Angioedema can be characterized as : This is an immune reaction to an allergen. Symptoms may appear within the first 2 hours after exposure to the allergen and usually settle within 3 days. Urticaria is usually present but not always. Acquired Angioedema This type of angioedema is associated with certain types of autoimmune diseases, infections, malignant tumors and diseases causing increased lymphocyte populations. It tends to occur later in life, usually after the fourth decade, and may persist as long as the underlying disease is present (chronic in nature). Urticaria may be present. Hereditary Angioedema This is inherited type of angioedema and the symptoms usually present before the age of 20 years. It typically occurs in episodes, which can be quite severe and affect multiple systems simultaneously. Drug Induced Angioedema This is a non-allergenic type of angioedema and occurs within days or weeks (sometimes longer) after starting a certain type of medication. Urticaria is not present. Idiopathic Angioedema Symptoms are similar to acute allergic angioedema. Causes of Angioedema Each type of angioedema has key features and causes which differentiates it from other types. Acute Allergic Angioedema In this type of angioedema, the presence of an allergen (list [...]

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Allergy Medicines – Types of Medications for Treating Allergies

Dr. Greg — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:21:50 +0000

There are various allergy medications used to reduce the immunological response seen in allergies. The most common and well known of these allergy medicines are antihistamines, with corticosteroids being used with increasing frequency to prevent exacerbations in common allergic diseases. However, antihistamines and corticosteroids are not the only types of medications to treat allergic reactions. Other allergy medicines include mast cell stabilizers, leukotriene pathway inhibitors and anti-IgE antibodies. Adrenaline is used in severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. The actions, uses, side effects and contraindications of antihistamines and corticosteroids are discussed under the following articles : Antihistamine for Allergies Steroids for Allergies Other Allergy Medications Mast Cell Stabilizers Mast cell stabilizers are drugs that prevent degranulation and release of histamine from the mast cells. These drugs are useful in preventing allergic disorders, especially those affecting the airways (allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma) or eyes (allergic conjunctivitis). Mast cell stabilizers inhibit the release of mediators of immune reactions from mast cells. It also suppress the activation of cells of immune reactions by these chemical mediators. Cromolyn sodium (disodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil sodium are two types of mast cell stabilizers. Cromolyn sodium is available for inhalational use in bronchial asthma, as a nasal spray [...]

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Steroids (Corticosteroids) for Allergies(Asthma,Rhinitis,Eczema)

Dr. Greg — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:14:15 +0000

Corticosteroids have a significant role in the management of allergies due to its broad anti-inflammatory action, which reduces the immunological response in allergic diseases. This is invaluable in the long term management of allergic diseases. Corticosteroids reduce the duration and severity of acute exacerbations in chronic allergic diseases like allergic rhinitis. Anti-allergic Actions of Corticosteroids Corticosteroids considerably reduce the manifestations of inflammation associated with an allergy. This is primarily due to its intense effects on the inflammatory cells and suppressive effects on the mediators of allergic response. Following administration of a corticosteroid, the following effects are seen : decrease the concentration of eosinophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. decrease the migration of neutrophils from the blood vessels to the site of inflammation, thereby reducing the intensity of the inflammation associated with allergy. suppression of mast cell degranulation. reduces the release of histamine from basophils and mast cells. reduce the ability of immune cells to respond to antigens. Corticosteroids can also affect the inflammatory response by reducing the prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis by the action on the enzyme phospholipase A2. Prostaglandin synthesis is also decreased by the reduction in expression of cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme in inflammatory cells. Corticosteroids and Different Allergic Diseases Allergic [...]

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Antihistamine Side Effects, Actions, Allergies, Motion, Sleeping

Dr. Greg — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:25:04 +0000

What are antihistamines? Antihistamines are those drugs that block the H1 histamine receptors and not the other histamine receptors like H2, H3 and H4. It is also known as a H1-receptor blocker. These drugs act by block the histamine-induced responses in allergic reactions. It is the most widely used allergy medicine for most of the common allergic diseases. Several H1-blockers are currently available many of which are over-the-counter drugs. Antihistamines are generally divided into first-generation and second-generation drugs. A strong sedative effect of the older first generation antihistamines is one of the most distinguishing features between the two groups. First Generation Antihistamines The first generation antihistamines are the older group of antihistamines and are often used as ‘sleeping aids’ because of its strong sedative actions. Although the sedative effect of antihistamines are sometimes desired, like in a patient with allergic rhinitis who is having difficulty sleeping, generally the use of these drugs should be limited in a person who is driving or operating heavy machinery. Some of the first generation antihistamines also block other receptors like cholinergic (muscarinic) receptors and alpha adrenergic receptors. The anticholinergic effect also helps with nasal and bronchial secretions, in preventing nausea and vomiting (including motion [...]

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