Common Allergies and What You Should Know About Them

The most common allergies are asthma, hay fever, emphysema and hives. Rhinitis and sinusitis are much the same as hay fever.

Hay fever is usually caused by pollen. Pollen is prevalent in spring and early summer so hay fever is usually referred to as a seasonal allergy. Pollen is an allergen, which is the name for something that causes an allergic reaction.

Dust mites and mould are common allergens found in many homes. People who have allergic symptoms all year round may be allergic to dust mites and/or mould as well as pollen.

Some of the symptoms of allergies can be runny nose, sneezing, nasal itching, itchy eyes, postnasal drip, difficulty breathing, hives and a secondary symptom is fatigue.

When your body is under attack, which is what happens during an allergic reaction, it works hard to defeat the foreign threat, in this case, the allergens. When your body is constantly under threat, it becomes fatigued. Fatigue is often under-rated as a problem condition but it causes people to have problems with concentration, sleeping and mood control.

Some allergies affect the skin. Poison ivy, poison oak and several other plants cause an allergic reaction in most people. The hives that result from contact with these allergens are itchy and uncomfortable. The patient must be careful not to scratch as secondary infections can result.

The most dangerous allergies are those that result from the ingestion of food or drugs. The allergic reaction is usually quite severe and unless medical treatment is started immediately, death can result. Usually the patient's airways become blocked from inflammation of the airways.

Asthma is considered part of the same family as hay fever and eczema because they all are the result of a reaction to an allergen. Treatment is available and anyone suffering from these conditions should consult their medical practitioner for advice. Allergies can be fatal but they can also be easily treated.

Wendy Streater goes to http://naturallythebest.info for information on natural products for you and your home.

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