What Are Symptoms of Allergies?
When someone has an allergy it
basically means they are hypersensitive to certain, usually
harmless things, like dust, foods or plants.
Tens of millions of people suffer from
allergies throughout the world. Allergy symptoms can range from
a runny nose and itchy eyes, to anaphylactic shock or death.
Seen in its simplest form, an allergy is an over-reaction of
the body’s immune system. In short, the body responds as though
it’s under attack, releasing antibodies and triggering
inflammation, even though the
stimulus of the attack (the allergen) is normally
harmless.
Anaphylactic shock caused by an allergy to a specific compound
usually happens after an allergen has been ingested, inhaled or
has come into contact with the skin. If it is particularly
severe, it can lead to death within minutes, but can also take
hours to present.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What Are The Reactions to Latex
Allergy?
Allergic reactions caused by
latex allergy occur commonly in
people allergic to the latex in
rubber gloves. Three types of
reactions can occur if you have
a latex allergy: The
first type is Irritant contact
dermatitis, this common
reaction to protective gloves
isn't an actual allergy but
most likely due to sweating or
rubbing under gloves. This rash
occurs most often in people who
wear protective gloves, so it's
common among dental and health
care workers.
The next reaction is
Allergic contact dermatitis, a
reaction to the latex or
chemical additives used during
the manufacturing process. The
chemicals added to latex can
cause a skin rash to develop 24
to 48 hours after contact. The
rash usually starts on the
parts of your skin that have
come in contact with latex, and
then may spread to other areas.
Oozing blisters also may
occur.
And finally, there is
Hypersensitivity immune system
response, where the actual
latex allergy occurs when your
immune system reacts to
proteins found in natural
rubber latex. In a latex
allergy, exposure to latex may
cause immediate reactions, such
as itching, redness, swelling,
sneezing and wheezing.
Other common signs and
symptoms of latex allergy are
similar to those of hay fever
or asthma: and include things
like a stuffy nose, cough,
hives or rash, itchy and watery
eyes, and difficulty breathing.
The most serious allergic
reaction to latex is an
anaphylactic response, which
can be deadly. Anaphylactic
reactions develop immediately
after latex exposure in highly
sensitive people and cause the
airways to constrict, making it
difficult to breathe. Blood
pressure may drop to
life-threatening levels, making
you feel dizzy or causing you
to lose consciousness.
Other serious signs and
symptoms of latex allergy to
look out for are, wheezing,
confusion, slurred speech,
rapid or weak pulse, blueness
of your skin, including your
lips and nail beds, diarrhea,
nausea and vomiting. It is
important to seek emergency
medical care if you think you
or someone else is having an
anaphylactic reaction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Airways become constricted due to facial and neck swelling,
and anxiety, vomiting, itching and fainting can be experienced.
This allergy response requires immediate medical attention,
which can involve administering epinephrine (adrenaline to keep
the airway open) and rescue breathing.
Allergic responses are usually viewed in three categories.
First is the acute allergic reaction, which may occur rarely or
in response to a single allergen (such as peanuts) and can be
quite dangerous. The second category is chronic cases, in which
the sufferer regularly or always show allergy symptoms,
sometimes in response to a specific allergen (e.g., dust mites
or ragweed), or as the result of an overload of allergens. In
the third category, sub clinical cases, people may suffer
transient, seemingly disconnected symptoms that can be
difficult to recognize as an allergic response.
The allergic response is closely related to the inflammatory
cascade, and that’s one reason it has such serious health
effects. Allergic reactions are recognized as one of the most
important causes of illness and disease in America. Allergies
and sensitivities are at the root of many health problems,
including respiratory ailments, skin abnormalities, mood
disorders and gastrointestinal symptoms. And the negative
health effects resulting from the mechanism of inflammation are
equally profound. In short, neither a chronic nor acute
allergic response is something you should ignore.
|
