Most humans can tolerate substances such as dust, pollen and foods. However, for people who developed oversensitivity towards some substances (which are technically known as allergens), these substances become antigens that trigger the release of antibodies in the body for the protection of the immune system.

The particular antigen that is released after the exposure to an allergen is the gamma E globulin or IgE. This type of immunoglobulin is present in all humans to protect the body from parasitic infections. However, among those people who have allergic reactions to certain allergens, the IgE are produced in abnormally higher quantities.

There are various types of allergens which can be roughly divided into 6 categories namely indoor allergens, outdoor allergens, animal allergies, plant allergies, cosmetic allergies and drug allergies. The typical allergens to which a large portion of the population reacts to are the following:

Pollens- Pollens are known to contribute substantially to the incidence of perennial allergies. There are three common sources of pollens namely the tree pollen, the grass pollens and the weed pollens. People who are allergic to pollens often end up with hay fever. The most notorious pollens come from the ragweed which gives off its pollen sometime in August or September.

Molds- Molds are found in environments that are either hot or humid. The best candidates are the basement and the attic. If you have a perennial allergy, the culprit is most probably a type of mold that has been sitting inside your own home. Molds can become airborne, thus they can enter the nasal passages down to the lungs. This leads to allergic rhinitis, a very common type of allergy.

Dust mites- Dust mites are microscopic insects that thrive in the dust. Where there is dust, there are dust mites. Like molds, these enter your lungs, thereby causing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Animal dander- Another common cause of allergic rhinitis, animal dander comes from the skin flakes that come off the animals. For people with allergic reactions to animal dander, it is advisable for them not to keep pets.

Foods- FDA recognizes 8 foods that typically cause allergic reactions to humans. This list is inclusive of eggs, peanuts, milk, tree nuts, shellfish, soy, wheat and sulphites (typical components of food colors and flavors). Eggs, especially the albumin that is found in the egg white, cause allergic reactions among children. Milk, especially cow milk and other animal milks, have protein components that induce allergic reactions among children.

Children normally outgrow their allergic reactions to milk and egg. Some protein compounds in wheat can serve as allergens to some people while fish and seashells, soy, tree nuts and peanuts that are ingested can cause immune response for some highly sensitive individuals.

Cosmetics and Fragrances- Allergens are also found in the chemicals that are used in cosmetics and fragrances. These trigger a host of reactions ranging from rashes to serious immune responses.

Drugs- Different people react to drugs differently. Like in cosmetics, there are components used in the production of drugs that do not work well with the immune system.

Allergens, regardless of the types, are basically products of mistaken identities. They are common foreign substances that are mistakenly identified by the body as threats, thereby reaction towards them are exaggerated.

Repeated exposure is very risky as it not only produces the allergic reactions but also aggravates the allergy reaction itself.

Cat allergies are common. They come around as the reaction to the cat allergen that is known as Fel d 1. It is normally found in the cat’s saliva, the fur, dander from the sebaceous glands in the skin, as well as in the anal sebaceous glands. The other allergens along with the cat’s albumin can also be found in the blood and urine.

The allergy to cats is definitely common. At least 25% of the population is suffering from this kind of allergy. In fact, this type is more common than the dog allergy. It is obvious that cats can’t be generally bathed so this likely heightens the potential of the risks.

The Problem behind the Allergy to Cats

The cat allergen is largely produced because of the usually non-neutered male cats. The allergens are basically controlled by their hormones. The dander is by and large airborne, commonly found in public areas, and is sticky. They can be present in these areas even in the absence of the cats.

The reason behind is that these allergens obviously stick to the clothes of those cat pet owners and then they get shed in the public facilities and places.

The cat dander particles are relatively too small in size. When it is present, the person gets to inhale it into the deepest parts of the lungs so that provokes the allergic reaction. Allergic asthma is commonly triggered by the cat dander. Thus, those who have cats at home but are allergic to them have higher risks of developing the asthma symptoms.

Controlling the Symptoms for Your Sake

The most possible therapy for those who have cat allergies is that of avoiding any contact with cats. There are several allergy medications which you may take provided that they have been prescribed by your doctor but then again it will help if you adhere to some other precautionary measures.

Below are other tips on how you can control the symptoms and reduce the chances of getting exposed to the cat allergens.

Be sure to have the cat neutered.

If possible, bathe your cat once or twice within the week. It will also help control the symptoms if you wipe the cat with a wet cloth everyday.

Take away the cat from the bedroom. Keep the bedroom doors and the air vents closed at all times.

Station the cat in the garage or in any other part which doesn’t have carpets on the floor.

Buy a HEPA equipped vacuum cleaner and frequently vacuum the sofas, doorstep rags, and carpets.

If your budget allows it, better buy the HEPA room air cleaner.

Research about the dust mite avoidance tips and follow them.

Vacuum the hard floors, clean all curtains and bedding, and steam clean the carpets and other upholstered furniture sets.

Change the heater vent and air conditioner filters from time to time.

For desperate measures, get rid of your pet cats especially when the allergic reactions persist and turn uncontrollable.

Take note that the cat dander normally persists in a range of months up to years. Even when the cat has long been gone, the effect remains unchanged. Thus, it will be wise to keep up with these precautionary measures to protect your health as well as your family’s. So, say no to cat allergies!

How are food allergies treated? Read on and let your mind be stuffed with this new knowledge.

The Necessity of the Treatment

The allergic reactions to food need to be treated in several directions via the same time. The procedure takes on the actions like that of eliminating the allergen, modifying the immune response of the patient, and that of handling the patient’s nutritional status. It is not only the doctor who has the responsibility on this matter. As a sufferer, you must get yourself involved too!

What must you do then? It is vital that you observe your own allergic reaction. How often does it come? When does it go away? What triggers it? As soon as you begin feeling and seeing the signs and symptoms, you must review those things that you have eaten, touched, and the likes. Take note that the reactions can be quite complicated. There are cases when the allergic reaction can be fatal. Thus, it follows that you seek medical attention at once.

You know your own body more than anyone else in the world. For you to be in the most perfect shape, you have to deal with the responsibility. That means that you must watch out for the triggering allergens. Be well abreast of the causes and the treatment that you need. So much more, it is essential that you exercise self control and avoid those things that may cause your immune system to react to a naturally harmless substance.

A Review of the Treatments

As a basic thing, getting on with a special diet counts a lot as a treatment to food allergy. If the patient is discovered to be allergic to at least one or two types of food, then the best way to handle it is by getting rid of those offending foods. This is true with the children who happen to be inflicted with the so called peanut anaphylaxis.

For those who suffer from multiple food allergies, the process of rotation is applied. It means that the offending food needs to be taken at intervals and that means to eat it about four up to five days or even longer. The usual case is that suffering from multiple allergies means that you have the same overt allergies to other types of food which are basically thought of to be safe. By eating them in rotation, you will be able to lessen your own exposure and the effects as well and it can help build your tolerance for them.

Supplements and medications are also used to address the problem with the allergy signs and symptoms. They are able to provide the relief that the patients really crave for. The drugs typically repel the production and release of the histamine and other related chemicals. However, it must be done prior to the exposure to the allergens.

The digestive enzymes also have their own roles to take since they chunk down the food into smaller particles so they tend to become lesser allergenic.

Vitamin C is also eyed as an anti-allergy kind of supplement. It aids in the stabilization of the mast cells so they don’t get to release the histamine and other chemicals.

Food allergies have to be treated at a medical perspective. It is only appropriate to get to know these remedies before it gets too late.