Allergies 101: Myth vs. Fact

If you suffer from an itchy, runny nose, watery eyes, and incessant sneezing, you may be one of the more than 50 million Americans affected by allergies (http://www.aaaai.org/springallergy/2003/faq.stm). But diagnosing this common condition isn’t always easy; misconceptions surrounding the condition abound, and allergy symptoms are many times confused with a cold. To help you determine whether your symptoms are related to allergies, we will separate fact from fiction, dispel several common misconceptions, and provide some treatment information to make allergies a bit more bearable.

An allergy is an unusual reaction to an otherwise harmless substance, called an allergen. Allergens can be inhaled, swallowed, or come into contact with the skin; when absorbed by the body, allergens stimulate the production of antibodies. These antibodies cause cells called mast cells to release a chemical called histamine; it is the excess of histamine that causes typical allergic symptoms (antihistamines, which are used to treat allergies, work to block this excess histamine).

Common allergens include pollen, mold spores, dust mites, animal dander, feathers, insect stings, certain foods, and medications. Allergens associated with pollen are hard to pinpoint because thousands of them can be found outdoors. Because pollen appears seasonally, allergy sufferers may only endure these symptoms for a certain period of time. Mold spores, on the other hand, thrive in warm, damp, dimly lit areas, including bathrooms, humidifier pans, and air conditioner vents, regardless of the season. Spores that contain allergens are released into the air and induce symptoms once inhaled. Dust mites, also present year-round, flourish in fabrics exposed to warmth and moisture, where flakes of human skin are also present. It is their excretion that causes allergic reactions; on average, a bed contains about two million mites. Insect stings, some food allergens, and particular medicines can also cause severe allergic reactions, resulting in anaphylactic shock. If left untreated, these reactions can leave sufferers unconscious, in a coma, or may even cause death.

Allergic reactions can signal the start of the following conditions: allergic rhinitis, eczema, contact dermatitis, food allergies, urticaria, and asthma. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, include respiratory complications such as sneezing, an itchy, runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing or wheezing, and puffy, itchy, watery eyes. Skin inflammations may also occur with eczema, contact dermatitis, urticaria, and hives, which induce redness, itching, rash, or lumps on the skin. Other allergens, which are oftentimes associated with food allergies and reactions to certain medications, are known to affect the digestive tract and cause abdominal pains. If wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness occur alongside other symptoms, the problem may have escalated to asthma,a condition that results in the narrowing of bronchial tubes and makes breathing very difficult. It is important to remember that emotional stress can be a culprit in triggering an attack.

According to allergists, treating allergies involves three essential principles: avoiding the allergen or irritant responsible for causing the reaction, using drug treatment regimens like antihistamines or decongestants if avoiding the allergen is impossible, and finally, when these options do not relieve symptoms, using a specific allergy immunotherapy to halt the progression of an allergic disease. Immunotherapy, otherwise known as allergy shots, consists of a series of injections that help the body build up immunity to allergens. These shots actually contain the allergens that a patient is affected by; therefore, each shot is tailored to the specific individual and is carefully measured and administered by an allergist

MYTH vs. FACT

Despite the prevalence of allergies among millions of Americans, many misconceptions still exist. Because it can be difficult to separate the facts from the fallacies, we’ve constructed a list of some of the most common misapprehensions, accompanied by the truth behind them.

1. Allergies are psychosomatic.
2. If a specific agent causes a particular reaction, then that’s an allergy.
3. Allergies are harmless to those affected and are not life threatening.
4. Pets with shorter hair or who have less hair are better for people with allergies.
5. Continuous exposure to pets will decrease allergic reactions.
6. Frequent exposure to pollen will help build up immunity to it.
7. I should use prescription antihistamine medication only on days when my allergies are unbearable.
8. Alternative medicines are as effective as prescription medicines.
9. Moving to the southwest will not only cause allergies and asthma to immediately clear up but doing so also offers a cure.
10. Hay fever is caused by hay.
11. Pollen from flowers is a leading cause of allergies.
12. Allergies and asthma are curable.
13. Children eventually outgrow asthma.
14. Inhaled medications such as inhalers are dangerous.
15. Chiropractors treat asthma effectively.
16. Smoking does not trigger allergies or asthma attacks.
17. Natural or organic foods are nonallergic.
18. Wearing gloves will protect you from poison ivy.

1. Myth: Allergies are psychosomatic.
Fact: Allergies are very real, and have very real consequences. Medical evidence shows that, if untreated, allergies can cause severe reactions that affect quality of life.

2. Myth: If a specific agent causes a particular reaction, then that’s an allergy.
Fact: In order to prove an allergy exists, you have to show that the person has an allergic antibody or other immunological response against that substance. Remember, an allergy has two parts: a specific trigger and an allergic or immunologic response to it. [ back to Top ]

3. Myth: Allergies are harmless to those affected and are not life threatening.
Fact: Allergies are a serious problem that should be treated immediately. When they are left untreated, allergies can affect the individual?s quality of life, lead to impaired sleep and learning ability, lead to chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and sinusitis, or dermatologic conditions such as eczema and urticaria. Some food allergies can lead to anaphylaxis, a life threatening reaction. [ back to Top ]

4. Myth: Pets with shorter hair or who have less hair are better for people with allergies.
Fact: It is the protein found in animal saliva and urine that cause allergies, not animal hair. As animals groom themselves, they transfer allergens to their hair and skin, which are then broken off into tiny flakes called dander. Since most pets have dander, saliva, and urine, there is no pet that is better than another. For animal allergic patients, turtles, hermit crabs, fish, snakes, or any animal that doesn’t have hair are usually the pets of choice. [ back to Top ]

5. Myth: Continuous exposure to pets will decrease allergic reactions.
Fact: This, unfortunately, will not decrease allergies. Removing the pet from the home will certainly remove symptoms, however, if this is not possible, be sure to keep the pet out of the bedroom, bathe the pet twice a week to reduce the amount of allergens in the air, have a nonallergic family member brush the pet outside, and clean the animal’s cage or litter box frequently. [ back to Top ]

6. Myth: Frequent exposure to pollen will help build up immunity to it.
Fact: Allergy shots, which are regularly scheduled, provide exposure to small amounts of an allergen, and when administered by a physician, can lead to immunity. However, infrequent and erratic exposure to pollen will not lead to immunity; it will instead increase the likelihood that you will become sensitized to that allergen. [ back to Top ]

7. Myth: I should use prescription antihistamine medication only on days when my allergies are unbearable.
Fact: Allergy sufferers should take antihistamines as directed by their physician; they work best when taken according to a treatment plan.
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8. Myth: Alternative medicines are as effective as prescription medicines.
Fact: Because many alternative treatments have only recently been subjected to scientific scrutiny, there is very little proof as to whether these treatments are safe or effective. Therefore, alternative medications should never be substituted for scientifically proven treatments. [ back to Top ]

9. Myth: Moving to the southwest will not only cause allergies and asthma to immediately clear up but doing so also offers a cure.
Fact: Moving to southwestern states may appear to relieve symptoms initially; however, new allergies to local plants may develop over time. In fact, there is no safe place to move away from allergies and asthma. [ back to Top ]

10. Myth: Hay fever is caused by hay.
Fact: The condition is neither caused by hay nor induces a fever. This term is used to describe congested sinuses, coughing, runny nose, sneezing, breathing difficulties, and other symptoms caused by plants that pollinate or molds that produce spores. [ back to Top ]

11. Myth: Pollen from flowers is a leading cause of allergies.
Fact: Brightly colored flowering plants are actually least likely to cause allergic reactions. Pollen from these flowers is on the heavy side, waxy, and sticky, leaving it less likely to become airborne. They are therefore not carried by the wind, but rather are transported by insects. [ back to Top ]

12. Myth: Allergies and asthma are curable.
Fact: No known cure currently exists for asthma or allergy; with a proper treatment regimen, those who suffer from asthma and allergies can lead normal, active lives. [ back to Top ]

13.Myth: Children eventually outgrow asthma.
Fact: Unfortunately, in children with asthma, the tendency to have overly sensitive airways remains throughout one?s lifetime because asthma is a chronic state of hyper-responsiveness. [ back to Top ]

14. Myth: Inhaled medications such as inhalers are dangerous.
Fact: On the contrary, inhaled medications are the safest and most effective treatments for asthma. [ back to Top ]

15. Myth: Chiropractors treat asthma effectively.
Fact: Allergists/immunology specialists are best suited to treat allergies and asthma attacks. These physicians have undergone an additional two years of training to become specialized in the treatment of these diseases. [ back to Top ]

16. Myth: Smoking does not trigger allergies or asthma attacks.
Fact: Smoking does trigger allergies and asthma and should never be ignored as such. [ back to Top ]

17. Myth: Natural or organic foods are nonallergic.
Fact: Many of the most allergenic foods are unprocessed, or natural, and account for 90% of all allergic reactions. Many times, allergies are not caused by the chemicals used in processing food, rather, by the proteins in the food. [ back to Top ]

18. Myth: Wearing gloves will protect you from poison ivy.
Fact: An oily resin called urushiol gives these plants their poisonous sting and it can cling to clothing, dog?s fur, garden tools, etc. If you come in contact with the poison, wash the oil off with brown soap and water within 20-30 minutes of contact, before it has time to sink into the skin. Additionally, residue can remain on items for a year or more, so be sure to scrub well. [ back to Top ]

Well, there you have it - an overview on everything allergy-related, from some of the better-known causes to how to cope with them. Although no cure exists, being equipped with the facts is the first and most important step in handling and tolerating this condition before it takes over your life.

Different seasons bring different allergy symptoms. Here, we'll help you to decipher how to handle each season, and offer tips on how to combat allergic reactions.

Source: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/61/71443?z=1728_00000_0007_pb_02