Allergy - Medtick
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Allergy

  • It is when one gets in contact with an allergen [examples include metals (i.e earing , necklaces) materials i.e nylon, dust, chemicals (i.e paints),  house dust mites, flecks of skin shed from animals with fur (cats, dogs,horses), animals with feathers, cosmetics (i.e eye lash glue) , ingested foods and/or moulds] and exposed to air conditioned rooms.
  • The body’s defence system, the immune system treats it like a threat and thinks it is under attack and produces a variety of chemicals (e.g. histamines) and it is these chemicals that causes the variety of symptoms in allergies (allergic reaction).

Allergy Test

  • An allergy test can detect a range of allergens, this is very useful to find out what one is allergic  too. It can be quite specific  for example one may be allergic to a specific type of nuts and not others, however please note it only detects the most common allergens and at times it may give a result of an unknown allergen.

Symptoms and severity

The symptoms and severity can vary from individual to individual and one needs to also bear in mind that an allergen can be anything so the patient needs to try to identify the cause.

  • An allergy is said to short term if one has it from a few hours to six weeks.
  • An allergy is said to long term if one has it greater than six weeks.

 

Babies and children:

Symptoms

Does one have:

Head
  • Headache?
  • Pain around temples and/or forehead?
Eyes
  • Allergic conjunctivitis:
    • Eyes (lids) hot, red and swollen?
    • Eyes itchy, soreness, burning and feeling uncomfortable?
    • Whites of eye look inflamed, hot, red, and swollen?
    • Producing a watery discharge?
    • Both eyes infected?
  • Dry/gritty eyes?
Nose
  • Frequent sneezing?
  • Itchy/runny nose?
  • Sinus discomfort?
  • Watery and itchy eyes with runny nose?
  • Groggy feeling?
  • Lack of smell/taste?
  • Blocked nose/congestion?
  • Sinusitis symptoms:
    • High fever?
    • Pain radiating from jaw and mistaken for toothache?
    • Pain at worst when moving head forward/lying down/swimming/flying (facial pain or pressure)?
    • Pain at worst at morning and easier throughout day?
    • Tender sinuses and/or hurts when touched?
Throat
  • Itchy throat/roof of mouth?
  • Is phlegm at the back of the throat (travelling from the nose) causing catarrh, sore throat, horse voice, cough, tiredness and fever (one may have some of these symptoms)?
Cough
  • Chesty cough i.e. bring up phlegm or feel phlegm is stuck?

OR

  • Dry cough i.e. no phlegm at all?

OR

  • Post nasal drip- The feeling of mucus running down the back of the throat thats leads to swallowing and/or cough?
Abdominal
  • Nausea and vomiting?
  • Stomach cramps?
  • Diarrhoea (last less than 24 hours)?
Rash
  • Small size eczema/dry skin type rash appear anywhere on body (not on face)?
  • Itchy rash on face?
  • Skin broken?
Other symptoms
  • Tiredness or feeling of fatigue and/or no energy?
Chemical/Materials Allergy
  • Has one exposed themselves to anything one may be allergic to i.e?
    • Deodorants
    • Chemical fumes
    • Formaldehyde
    • Glue
    • Hairspray
    • Household cleaning products
    • Paint
    • Refrigerant coolants
    • Sulphuric acid
    • Latex
Pets and animals allergy
  • Exposed to pets and/or animals?
Dust mite Allergy

(Please note it is the faeces of dust mites that cause an allergy not the dust mite itself)

  • Allergic symptoms increase when in dusty environments?
  • Touching products that retain dust e.g. soft toys, cushions, (old) untouched products?
  • Allergy symptoms increase or occur when sleeping in duvets and on pillow?
Mould Spore Allergy
  • Allergic to any fungal/yeast i.e mouldy foods like blue cheese?
  • Allergic response when in moist environments i.e. communal areas, gyms, saunas, home?
  • Any contact with damp, where there is yeast and fungi growth?
  • In contact with ‘off’ food or plants/vegetables/fruit where there is yeast and fungi growth?
Buildings Allergy
  • Allergic response to air conditioning systems, heating systems, carpets, dust, insulating materials?
Food Allergy
  • Eaten or drunk (baby include breastfeeding) anything out of the ordinary or recently i.e?
    • Cow’s milk
    • Chicken eggs
    • Soya
    • Peanuts
    • Wheat
    • MSG contain food
Other/Unknown allergy
  • No idea how the allergic reaction occurred?
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