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Do You Suffer From Allergies?
8/1/2001
For many, taking prescription or over-the-counter allergy
medications can be expensive and unnecessary and may not
relieve symptoms. A recent study out of Ohio State University
found that 65 percent of the people using a prescription
antihistamine didn't suffer from allergies at all.
While more than 50 million Americans of all ages suffer
from allergy-like symptoms, the OSU study researchers and
other experts recommend people get tested for allergies before
medicating their symptoms.
Traditionally, allergy tests were performed by pricking
the skin then applying allergens to see whether a raised
welt on the skin indicated sensitivity. Skin testing, however,
carries the risk of an allergic reaction and is not recommended
for young children, seniors, those taking antihistamines,
or those with dermatitis and other skin conditions.
Previously, allergy blood tests were less accurate than
skin testing, but a new blood test, ImmunoCAP®, is not
only as accurate as a skin test in determining specific allergies,
but it is the first and only allergy test approved by the
FDA to test allergies quantitatively. Family physicians,
pediatricians and allergy specialists can draw a blood sample
that is analyzed in a laboratory. Health professionals then
detect the presence of IgE, an antibody circulating in the
blood when the body is fighting an allergen.
A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology showed that ImmunoCAP demonstrated superior
reliability and accuracy, compared to four other tests, including
older blood tests known as RAST™ tests. If you get
tested and learn that you do suffer from allergies, it's
likely you're allergic to a number of things. Triggers
might include certain foods, pollen, pets, insect stings
or even some medications. But, for many, allergy-like symptoms
never occur until people move to a new region or grow older.
Then suddenly symptoms develop, leaving them wondering why.
That's because allergy is a threshold disease. Approximately
20 to
25 percent of the population has seasonal or chronic
allergic respiratory disease. For many, symptoms don't
appear without exposure to multiple allergic triggers.
Think of a single allergy as a half-cup of water. As new
elements are added, the cup becomes more full. Allergy symptoms
may not develop until you come in contact with that one thing
that makes your cup overflow and that's when you've
reached your threshold.
Here in the North Atlantic region, common tree allergens
include elm, oak and box-elder, which may cause a reaction
from February through June. Grasses in this area may trigger
allergies throughout the summer and weeds, such as common
ragweed, may cause a reaction from August to late October.
If you're planning to travel, you can find more information
on pollens and allergens in other areas of the United States
by visiting www.isitallergy.com. Take the necessary steps
to remove the culprits from your home and work environments,
particularly those to which you are highly allergic. Understand
how to stay below your threshold through prevention or therapy,
and you'll be able to take control of your allergies,
rather than letting them control you. The following simple
tips are recommended by the American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology and the Online Allergy Center to help
you avoid common allergy triggers:
Pollen: Minimize outdoor activities, like running and walking,
during peak pollen hours (between 5 and 10 a.m.). Don't
line-dry clothes or bedding. Don't mow lawns or rake
leaves, as these activities stir up pollen and molds. If
you must, wear a mask and sunglasses. Stay indoors when reports
predict high pollen count or humidity, and on windy days
when dust and pollen are blown about. If taking a vacation
during the height of the pollen season, head to the beach
or sea.
Mold: Check your car's weather-stripping or air-conditioning
system for mold. Don't over-water or grow too many
indoor plants; wet soil encourages mold growth. Check household
drains for mold; look under frost-free refrigerators, air
conditioner insulation, coils and drain pans, damp wood spots
and dusty, musty papers.
Dust: Drive with car windows closed and set your air conditioner
on re-circulate. Vacuum your car often to minimize dust mite
exposure. Keep home windows closed, especially at night.
Use air conditioning to clean, cool and dry air, but change
filters often. Wash bedding in hot water to kill dust mites
and encase bedding in dust mite barrier covers.
Animals: Keep animals out of the bedroom and remove carpeting,
if possible.
For more information about how to test for allergies using
the ImmunoCAP blood test, physicians and patients can call
1-877-862-4948 or visit www.isitallergy.com.
New Living
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