Allergies 101
The May 2011 issue has a quiz about allergy myths (#3 got me!). Here is some more information from author Evelyn Hanes, R.N., about the dreaded sniffle-bringer: allergies!
Allergy Symptoms
Seasonal Allergies
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Nasal stuffiness or clear drainage
- Coughing
- These are generally present without fever.
Food Allergies
- Hives
- Swelling of lips and face
- Itching of the mouth and tongue
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
What are allergies?
Allergies are caused when antibodies, produced by your immune system, react to allergens and release chemicals that cause symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and itching. If you are not sensitive to these allergens, you don’t develop an allergy. Repeated exposure to allergens increases the likelihood of developing an allergy.
Is it really a food allergy?
Food sensitivities are not the same as allergies. Symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and inflammation of joints may be due to sensitivity to certain foods such as wheat, shellfish, or acidic fruits. These symptoms may also be present if you have a food intolerance (such as lactose), food poisoning, or reaction to chemicals present on the food (pesticides or fertilizers).
Do you or your children suffer from allergies?
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