ALLERGIES
We still do not know just why allergic reactions occur. But we do know what happens to the person with an allergy. The substance to which he is allergic may be something he eats, breathes in with the air, touches, or is given as an injection. The bronchial tubes, the skin, and the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, throat, and intestinal tract are some of the parts affected. We know, too, that allergies tend to run in families.
In some cases, the victim himself knows what is causing his suffering, but more often it is difficult to track it down. Today we are able to make tests that will show not only the guilty substance but, in many cases, the degree of sensitivity to it. The most common tests arc the patch, scratch, and injection methods, made by applying the suspected allergens to the skin.
I advise everyone who suffers from any allergic condition to do everything possible to find the cause. This is important not only to comfort but to health itself.
Hay fever
This is the term used to cover most of the allergic reactions in the nose, usually caused by substances that are inhaled. These include pollens, dust, and scurf from such things as animal hair and feathers. Foods and medicines can also cause hay fever. Consult your doctor about the common allergens and the pollination schedule for different parts of the country.
The symptoms usually centre in the nose, eyes, and face. There are tickling, stuffiness, a watery discharge, and itching of the eyes and face. The condition may be mistaken for a cold. If you have hay fever, be sure to see a doctor. It can become far more than ‘just a nuisance,’ for it can affect your general health.
Treatment varies according to the allergen responsible. In some cases, the offending object can be avoided. Your doctor may be able to give you injections that will prevent attacks. But remember, these injections should be made in advance.
Allergic reactions of the digestive system
Although allergic reactions to certain foods usually cause hay fever and skin reactions, there are some that involve the digestive system, causing nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Because so many potentially serious conditions can cause the symptoms of indigestion, I think it is most unwise for anyone to decide they are caused by an allergy. Your doctor or an allergist can sometimes diagnose intestinal or food allergies by special laboratory tests. Also, he may need your co-operation while he places you on a simple, non-allergic diet and then adds each suspected food or beverage systematically.
Skin allergies
These can be caused by direct contact, by rubbing with sensitizing substances, or by allergens that are inhaled through the nose, eaten, or taken through injections.
It requires a competent doctor, and sometimes a specialist in dermatology and allergy as well, to distinguish some of these allergic reactions from other skin diseases. It is most important for such conditions to be treated correctly in order to avoid the danger of making them worse.
Contact dermatitis
A great many other things can cause contact dermatitis, including trees and shrubs, industrial oils, medicines, cosmetics, perfumes, soaps, clothing made of various materials or treated with certain preservatives, and dyes. One part or many parts of the body may break out. Sneezing and other nose symptoms may accompany the skin symptoms.
Hives (urticaria)
Hives are usually caused by foods, but they may also be due to medicines or injections of serum. As a rule, swellings—weals or welts— suddenly appear on the skin. Usually they disappear again in an hour or two, but they may last a day or even longer. Often the itching or burning is so severe that the sufferer is miserable. For immediate relief, bathe in a tub of tepid water to which two cupfuls of basic mixture of common starch, made according to the directions on the box, have been added. If the itching is localized, relief can be obtained by applying a compress dipped in cold milk.
Giant hives (angioedema or angioneurotic oedema) may appear on the skin, lips, tongue, throat, eyes, and other parts of the body. An attack in the throat may interfere with breathing. A person subject to hives should discuss emergency treatment with his physician in advance and not wait until a serious attack occurs.
Eczema
In eczema, a rough, red, itching rash appears, which soon turns into scaly, ‘weeping,’ and crusted patches of skin. These are often located around the elbow and the back of the knee, but may cover practically the entire surface of the body, including the face.
Do not fail to consult your doctor if your baby has eczema. Many skin disorders resemble it or follow it. Go easy on soap and water, and apply calamine lotion to relieve itching.
If you have an allergy
See a doctor, the sooner the better. Allergies very seldom vanish by themselves. More often, they get worse.
Keep in good health. Get plenty of rest and fresh air and maintain a balanced diet. This will help you to avoid the infectious diseases that may bring on nose and bronchial allergies.
Avoid tensions and emotional disturbances. We do not know the exact connection between allergies and emotions, but we know that a relationship does exist between them.
Remember, you can become allergic to practically anything. Even if the cause of your allergy has been discovered, do not assume you need not look for a different allergen if your attacks return.
Take special precautions if you have an allergy, however trivial. Make sure you are tested before taking any medicines, vaccines, or serums. You could get a serious reaction to a medicine.
If your attacks are severe, it is wise to carry a card with you stating clearly what you are allergic to (for example, insect stings), followed by instructions from your doctor saying what should be done for you. Tell people about your allergy whenever it is necessary. Do not be sensitive about your sensitivity.
*312\68\2*
