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What is an allergic reaction?Insect
allergies most frequently occur after being stung by a bee, wasp, yellow jacket,
hornet, or fire ant. Most people are not allergic to insect stings and may mistake a normal or
local reaction for an allergic reaction... |
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Allergies: General Resources
Allergies A to Z
Myron A. Lipkowitz, RP, MD
Facts on File, Inc.
Department M274, 11 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001
(212) 290-8090 or 1-800-322-8755
Allergies, Disease in Disguise: How to Heal Your Allergic Condition
Caro... |
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How can I tell if my son has allergies or just a common cold?
Symptoms of allergies and colds can be similar, but here's how to tell the
difference:
Occurrence of symptoms -- Both allergies and colds cause symptoms
of sneezing, congestion, runn... |
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Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics America, Inc. (AAN/MA)
3554 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite 200
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 385-4403 or 1-800-878-4403
www.podi.com/health/aanma
Allergy Management Center
www.aaai.org/aadmc/
The Allergy Report
A... |
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Adenoids
Glands or lymphoid tissue in the upper part of throat below the nose, also
known as the pharyngeal tonsil.
Adenoidectomy
The surgical removal of enlarged adenoids to help prevent blockage of the
eustachian tubes and ear infections. This is us... |
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AntihistaminesAntihistamines are one
of the most important medications for treating allergies. Antihistamines help
relieve congestion, sneezing. and an itchy, runny nose. Your doctor can prescribe
a "non-sedating" antihistamine to help manage ... |
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What are allergies?
Allergies are the immune system’s incorrect response to a foreign
substance. Exposure to what is normally a harmless substance, such as pollen,
causes the immune system to react as if the substance is harmful. Substances
that ca... |
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What is an allergy skin test?An
allergy skin test, also called a scratch test, is used to identify the
substances that are causing your allergy symptoms. It is performed by applying
an extract of an allergen to your skin, scratching or pricking the skin... |
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What are molds?
Molds are a type of fungi. Mold spores, the reproductive "seeds"
of molds, are everywhere; they are in the air and fall on many surfaces. In the
outdoors, molds are a necessary part of the environment and help break down
organ... |
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What is a drug allergy?
A drug allergy is an allergic reaction to a medication. When the drug enters
the body, it triggers a response by the immune system, which creates
specific IgE antibodies (proteins made by the immune system to fight specific
an... |
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Egg allergy -- especially to egg whites -- is more common in children than in
adults and reactions range from mild to severe. Mild reactions tend to involve
the skin and gastrointestinal tracts. Severe allergy can be instantaneous.
If you suffer from ... |
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The elimination diet involves removing specific foods or ingredients from
your diet that you and your doctor suspect may be causing your allergy symptoms.
(Common allergy-causing foods are milk, eggs, nuts, wheat, and soy.) Your doctor
will supervise ... |
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Medicines help treat your allergy symptoms once you have them,
but there are several steps you can take to prevent symptoms before they strike.
The following recommendations can help you avoid allergy attacks whether you're
at home, outdoors, or out on ... |
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If you suffer from a fish allergy, strictly avoiding fish and food containing
fish products is the only way to prevent a reaction. If your doctor is able to
identify exactly which type of fish causes your allergies, than you only need to
eliminate t... |
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What is a food allergy?
A food allergy occurs when the immune system responds defensively to a
specific food protein that is not harmful to the body. When that food is first
eaten, the immune system responds by creating specific IgE antibodies. When... |
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If you are dust-sensitive, especially if you have allergies and/or asthma,
you can reduce some of your misery by creating a "dust-free" bedroom.
Dust may contain molds, fibers, and dander from dogs, cats, and other animals,
as well as tiny dus... |
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What is latex?Latex, also known as rubber or natural latex, is derived from the milky sap
of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). This tree is found in Africa and Southeast Asia.
What is latex allergy?Latex allergy develops after some sensitizing contac... |
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Strictly avoiding your trigger foods is the only way to prevent a reaction
and maintain control over your food allergy. A registered dietitian is an
excellent resource for nutrition information and meal plan suggestions that help
you avoid your trigge... |
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Before your appointmentBefore your
appointment with an allergist or other physician, it is helpful to keep a diary
of your allergy symptoms.
Medical history: Questions your doctor may ask
What type of symptoms do you have?
How long have you had th... |
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If you suffer from a milk allergy, strictly avoiding milk and food containing
milk and milk products is the only way to prevent a reaction, which can include
bloating, abdominal cramps, flatulence, diarrhea, or constipation. But, it is
not always easy... |
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Allergic reaction to nuts can progress rapidly to anaphylaxis. Peanut allergy
is responsible for more fatalities than any other type of allergy.
If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly avoiding nuts, including peanuts
and tree nuts like cashews and... |
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Allergies sufferers looking for relief at the local pharmacy are faced with
many product choices. To make the right choice for you, you first need to
recognize and understand your symptoms. Then, learn what medications are
available over-the-counter, ... |
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What is an allergy?
Allergy, also known as hypersensitivity, is an altered immune
response to a usually otherwise harmless substance. Children with allergies have
increased sensitivity to one or more substances that ordinarily would be
harmless in most... |
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What is a food allergy?
A food allergy is an immune system response. It is caused when the body
mistakes an ingredient in food—usually a protein—as harmful and creates a
defense system (antibodies) to fight it. An allergic reaction occurs when the... |
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A soy-free diet is indicated for soy protein allergy. Here is a list of terms
commonly used on ingredient labels that indicate the presence of soy.
Avoid foods that contain these ingredients:
Hydrolyzed soy protein
Miso
Shoyu sauce
Soy (alb... |
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What are skin tests?
A variety of skin tests may be performed to diagnose skin allergies,
bacterial or fungal skin infections, and other diseases.
Skin tests are also performed to tell the difference between malignant
(cancerous) cells an... |
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If you suffer from a shellfish allergy, strictly avoiding shellfish and food
containing shellfish is the only way to prevent a reaction. If your doctor is
able to identify exactly which type of shellfish causes your allergies, than you
only need to el... |
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If you have a mold problem in your home, here are some tips for cleaning up
the problem and preventing its return:
Cleanup
Before beginning to clean . . .
Make sure the work area is well ventilated
Wear gloves, mask or respirator, and ... |
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Soybeans are legumes. Other foods in the legume family include navy beans,
kidney beans, string beans, black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas (garbanzo or
chichi beans), lentils, carob, licorice, and peanuts. Many people are allergic
to more than one leg... |
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A food allergy is caused when the body’s immune system mistakes an
ingredient in food—usually a protein—as harmful and creates a defense system
(special compounds called antibodies) to fight it. An allergic reaction occurs
when the antibodies are batt... |
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How does stress affect allergies?
Stress is the body’s response to conflicts or situations—both internal
and external—that disturb or interfere with the normal balance in our lives.
Virtually all of the body’s systems—including the digestive system,
... |
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Sulfites are a group of sulfur-based compounds that may occur naturally or
may be added to food as an enhancer and preservative. The FDA estimates that one
out of 100 people is sensitive to the compounds. A person can develop
sensitivity to sulfites a... |
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Any reaction to a food that is abnormal is considered an adverse reaction.
Adverse reactions are classified either as food intolerance or food allergy.
Food allergy is defined as an over-reaction by the body’s immune system to
proteins in foods that are... |
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Foods made with wheat are staples of the American diet; however, many people
are allergic to proteins found in wheat, called gluten. If you are allergic to
gluten strictly avoiding wheat and wheat products containing gluten is the only
way to prevent ... |
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