Allergies are diseases of the immune system that cause an overreaction to substances called "allergens." Allergies are grouped by the kind of trigger, time of year or where symptoms appear on the body: indoor and outdoor allergies (also called "hay fever," "seasonal," "perennial" or "nasal" allergies), food allergies, latex allergies, insect allergies, skin allergies and eye allergies. People who have allergies can live healthy and active lives.
INDOOR
Indoor allergies (“perennial allergic rhinitis” [PAR] or often called “nasal” allergies) occur when allergens that are commonly found indoors are inhaled into the nose and the lungs causing allergic reactions. Examples of indoor allergens are airborne cat or dog dander, dust mite feces and mold spores.
OUTDOOR
Outdoor allergies (also called “seasonal allergic rhinitis” [SAR], “hay fever,” or “nasal” allergies) occur when allergens that are commonly found outdoors are inhaled into the nose and the lungs causing allergic reactions. Examples of commonly inhaled outdoor allergens are tree, grass and weed pollen and mold spores. Other allergens exist outdoors, such as stinging insects and poisonous plants, but these are usually considered “contact,” “skin” or “insect” allergens rather than “inhaled” allergens.
FOOD AND DRUG
Food allergies and allergic reactions to certain drugs are serious. They are characterized by a broad range of allergic reactions to ingredients in the foods we eat or the medications we take. Food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system, different than food intolerance or food sensitivity. The U.S. Food Allergy Labeling Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) now requires food labels to clearly identify all allergen ingredients (even if it's a spice or flavoring), and to discourage labels with ‘may contain' statements.
LATEX
Latex allergies are caused by touching or inhaling natural latex allergens—proteins in the sap of the rubber tree—that cause an allergic reaction in some people. Some are affected by latex powder if inhaled, others by skin contact with latex, such as with surgical gloves. Severe cases can cause anaphylaxis, the most serious type of allergic reaction. Most experts believe that the allergy has surfaced recently as a result of the increased use of latex to protect people from infectious agents.
INSECT
Many people look forward to summer, which brings the promise of pleasures like long days in the sun, picnics, beaches and baseball. Warm weather, however, also brings some not-so-welcome visitors in the form of stinging insects. For most people, these small creatures are an annoyance that threaten to ruin outdoor fun. But for some 2 million Americans, these insects pose a far more serious threat of a life-threatening allergic reaction.
SKIN
Skin allergies (also called “allergic contact dermatitis”) occur when your skin comes in contact with an allergen that your skin is sensitive or allergic to. Also, allergies to other things like food you eat or proteins your breath in may cause symptoms to appear on your skin, such as hives or rashes. The reaction usually appears within 48 hours after the initial exposure to the allergen. Symptoms that are commonly seen include the following: redness, swelling, blistering, itching, hives and rashes. The allergen can be a substance in a product that you have used for many years; it does not have to be a new product. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs more commonly in adults. The most common types of allergic contact dermatitis are allergies to poison ivy, oak and sumac.
EYE
Eye allergies (also called “allergic conjunctivitis”) is a common eye condition. It is often called "pink eye." It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and helps keep your eyelid and eyeball moist. Allergens (pollen, mold spores, pet dander, etc.), irritants (dirt, smoke, chemicals, chlorine, etc.) and even viruses and bacteria can cause conjunctivitis. Pink eye caused by allergens is called “allergic conjunctivitis.” If it’s caused by bacteria or viruses it can spread easily from person to person but is not a serious health risk if diagnosed quickly; allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
ASTHMA OVERVIEW
Asthma is a disease of the lungs in which the airways become blocked or narrowed causing breathing difficulty. This chronic disease affects 20 million Americans. Asthma is commonly divided into two types: allergic (extrinsic) asthma and non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma. There is still much research that needs to be done to fully understand how to prevent, treat and cure asthma. But, with proper management, people can live healthy and active lives
ALLERGIC ASTHMA
Allergic (extrinsic) asthma is characterized by symptoms that are triggered by an allergic reaction. Allergic asthma is airway obstruction and inflammation that is partially reversible with medication. Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma, affecting over 50% of the 20 million asthma sufferers.Over 2.5 million children under age 18 suffer from allergic asthma. Many of the symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma are the same (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness). However, allergic asthma is triggered by inhaled allergens such as dust mite allergen, pet dander, pollen, mold, etc. resulting in asthma symptoms.
NON-ALLERGIC ASTHMA
Non-Allergic (intrinsic) asthma is triggered by factors not related to allergies. Like allergic asthma, non-allergic asthma is characterized by airway obstruction and inflammation that is at least partially reversible with medication, however symptoms in this type of asthma are NOT associated with an allergic reaction. Many of the symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma are the same (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness), but non-allergic asthma is triggered by other factors such as anxiety, stress, exercise, cold air, dry air, hyperventilation, smoke, viruses or other irritants. In non-allergic asthma, the immune system is not involved in the reaction
NOTE: This information should not substitute for seeking responsible, professional medical care
INDOOR
Indoor allergies (“perennial allergic rhinitis” [PAR] or often called “nasal” allergies) occur when allergens that are commonly found indoors are inhaled into the nose and the lungs causing allergic reactions. Examples of indoor allergens are airborne cat or dog dander, dust mite feces and mold spores.
OUTDOOR
Outdoor allergies (also called “seasonal allergic rhinitis” [SAR], “hay fever,” or “nasal” allergies) occur when allergens that are commonly found outdoors are inhaled into the nose and the lungs causing allergic reactions. Examples of commonly inhaled outdoor allergens are tree, grass and weed pollen and mold spores. Other allergens exist outdoors, such as stinging insects and poisonous plants, but these are usually considered “contact,” “skin” or “insect” allergens rather than “inhaled” allergens.
FOOD AND DRUG
Food allergies and allergic reactions to certain drugs are serious. They are characterized by a broad range of allergic reactions to ingredients in the foods we eat or the medications we take. Food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system, different than food intolerance or food sensitivity. The U.S. Food Allergy Labeling Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) now requires food labels to clearly identify all allergen ingredients (even if it's a spice or flavoring), and to discourage labels with ‘may contain' statements.
LATEX
Latex allergies are caused by touching or inhaling natural latex allergens—proteins in the sap of the rubber tree—that cause an allergic reaction in some people. Some are affected by latex powder if inhaled, others by skin contact with latex, such as with surgical gloves. Severe cases can cause anaphylaxis, the most serious type of allergic reaction. Most experts believe that the allergy has surfaced recently as a result of the increased use of latex to protect people from infectious agents.
INSECT
Many people look forward to summer, which brings the promise of pleasures like long days in the sun, picnics, beaches and baseball. Warm weather, however, also brings some not-so-welcome visitors in the form of stinging insects. For most people, these small creatures are an annoyance that threaten to ruin outdoor fun. But for some 2 million Americans, these insects pose a far more serious threat of a life-threatening allergic reaction.
SKIN
Skin allergies (also called “allergic contact dermatitis”) occur when your skin comes in contact with an allergen that your skin is sensitive or allergic to. Also, allergies to other things like food you eat or proteins your breath in may cause symptoms to appear on your skin, such as hives or rashes. The reaction usually appears within 48 hours after the initial exposure to the allergen. Symptoms that are commonly seen include the following: redness, swelling, blistering, itching, hives and rashes. The allergen can be a substance in a product that you have used for many years; it does not have to be a new product. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs more commonly in adults. The most common types of allergic contact dermatitis are allergies to poison ivy, oak and sumac.
EYE
Eye allergies (also called “allergic conjunctivitis”) is a common eye condition. It is often called "pink eye." It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and helps keep your eyelid and eyeball moist. Allergens (pollen, mold spores, pet dander, etc.), irritants (dirt, smoke, chemicals, chlorine, etc.) and even viruses and bacteria can cause conjunctivitis. Pink eye caused by allergens is called “allergic conjunctivitis.” If it’s caused by bacteria or viruses it can spread easily from person to person but is not a serious health risk if diagnosed quickly; allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.
ASTHMA OVERVIEW
Asthma is a disease of the lungs in which the airways become blocked or narrowed causing breathing difficulty. This chronic disease affects 20 million Americans. Asthma is commonly divided into two types: allergic (extrinsic) asthma and non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma. There is still much research that needs to be done to fully understand how to prevent, treat and cure asthma. But, with proper management, people can live healthy and active lives
ALLERGIC ASTHMA
Allergic (extrinsic) asthma is characterized by symptoms that are triggered by an allergic reaction. Allergic asthma is airway obstruction and inflammation that is partially reversible with medication. Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma, affecting over 50% of the 20 million asthma sufferers.Over 2.5 million children under age 18 suffer from allergic asthma. Many of the symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma are the same (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness). However, allergic asthma is triggered by inhaled allergens such as dust mite allergen, pet dander, pollen, mold, etc. resulting in asthma symptoms.
NON-ALLERGIC ASTHMA
Non-Allergic (intrinsic) asthma is triggered by factors not related to allergies. Like allergic asthma, non-allergic asthma is characterized by airway obstruction and inflammation that is at least partially reversible with medication, however symptoms in this type of asthma are NOT associated with an allergic reaction. Many of the symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma are the same (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness), but non-allergic asthma is triggered by other factors such as anxiety, stress, exercise, cold air, dry air, hyperventilation, smoke, viruses or other irritants. In non-allergic asthma, the immune system is not involved in the reaction
NOTE: This information should not substitute for seeking responsible, professional medical care