Allergies: what you should know about this disease

What is the definition of an allergy?

Allergy is a clinical reaction of the immune system. There are many people with different kind of allergies that are sensitive to diverse factors found in their environment.

About seasonal allergies, there are certain seasons of the year between the months of March and October when trees producing pollen and other kinds of allergens that produce the typical allergy symptoms and it is defined as a seasonal allergy.

There is another kind of very important allergies related to food, this kind of allergies are presented when an individual is exposed or consuming certain types of foods such as eggs, milk, peanuts, seafood, nuts, etc..

When an individual suffers for allergies may present different types of reaction depending on the severity such as the runny nose, sneezing, itching, difficulty breathing and could progress to anaphylaxis.

An acute reaction of allergies is called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxisis a very severe, systemic allergic reaction that can affect more than two organs of the body and that if not treated in time can result in death.

This condition is found in many different populations and for many people, it is so difficult to enjoy the environment that surrounds them, and others choose to take drastic measures avoiding food and normal routinely activities.

About seasonal allergies, the clinical symptoms occur in the membrane that lines the nose internally, which leads to allergic rhinitis, or in the membrane that covers the eyelids and the white part of the eyes, which can cause acute conjunctivitis.

Another name as the seasonal allergy is known is the "hay fever." It usually consists of pollen and each season appears:

• Spring: usually trees, such as oak, juniper and olive trees

• Summer: grass and weeds

• Autumn: Ambrosia

For many allergies, they have no cure but they do have treatments improving the quality of life of the patients.

Some treatments are usually the use of:

• Nasal inhalers

• Antihistamines

• Decongestants

• Colirios

• Allergenic immunotherapy

In the same treatments, Nasal sprays with corticosteroidsare usually very effective in decreasing seasonal symptoms and enhancing the airways. Most of these aerosols do not cause major side effects, and another common medication that is administered for allergies is an antihistamine, orally or as a nasal spray. Antihistamines are often used with a decongestant, taken orally.