Learn about the causes of Allergies & find a practitioner in Auckland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin to help you overcome Allergies within New Zealand.
Allergies are adverse reactions of the immune system caused by substances that are usually harmless (allergens). Allergens contain protein and the most common are house dust mites, pollen and pet hair. Allergies can cause symptoms of sneezing, itchy eyes, hives, sickness and breathlessness. Allergy symptoms are usually mild but severe reactions can cause serious medical problems.
Allergies occur when the body comes into contact with a harmless
substance (an allergen) that it believes is invading it resulting in a
hypersensitive reaction. The immune system releases the immunoglobulin
E antibody (IgE) to defend the body which in turn releases other
chemicals. These chemicals, one of which is histamine, combine to cause
symptoms of irritation and inflammation. If a person has a food
allergy, the antibody IgG is released.
People can be
predisposed to allergens due to family history and their condition is
called Atopy. Atopy means the individual's body produces higher levels
of the IgE antibody. Environmental factors can increase the chances of
atopy if a child grows up in house of smokers, pets, excessive dust
mites or if they are taking antibiotics.
There are thousands
of allergens including dust mites, pollen, animal fur, grass, insects,
milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fruit, latex and certain medications
(penicillin, aspirin, codeine).
Symptoms
Allergic reactions do not occur during the first contact with an
allergen as the body must first develop sensitivity to it. Allergies
can trigger a number of symptoms together or individually. The most
common are: sneezing, coughing, wheezing, runny nose, sore throat,
sinus pain, rashes, hives, vomiting, itchy eyes, breathlessness and
swelling.
Allergies are not the same as an intolerance to a
substance. Allergies involve the immune system and can be tested by
immune responses to allergens. Allergy tests will not highlight
intolerances (such as lactose intolerance or other food intolerances).
Diagnosis
Allergies are typically diagnosed using allergy intolerance testing and
should be carried out by a trained professional. Home allergy testing
kits are generally of a low standard and not recommended. The most
common allergy tests are the blood, skin prick and patch tests.
The
'challenge test' is another method and is usually carried out in a
hospital or specialist allergy unit. Challenge tests involve
introducing allergens to the lung (in the case of bronchial allergies
such as asthma), nose or eye. Food allergies can also be identified
using a challenge test whereby the patient is given specific foods
'blind' to observe their effects.
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