Hypersensitivity Reactions: Facts You Must KNow

Dog Allergy Facts

Many pets like cats and dogs can make people allergic. Saliva proteins are considered major allergens by some researchers. The fur has proteins because the animal licks itself. Aside from the skin, the urin also carries the proteins that cause allergies. When the protein-carrying substance dries up, the proteins can soar in the air.

Allergens are more predominant in cats for more saliva are being used to lick their bodies. In addition to this, humans like to hold them more. Rodents, like guinea pigs and gerbils are becoming more and more popular. Rats and mice, as well as other rodents may cause allergies due to their urine.

Milk Allergy Symptoms

Any individual who has milk allergy should, at all costs, avoid anything that has milk to help prevent allergic reactions from occurring. It may be difficult to avoid these food items because there are products that contain trace amounts of milk. There are individuals who think food allergies and food intolerance are the same. Individuals who are suffering from milk intolerance may experience constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal cramps, and bloating. It is always wise to check food labels every time you use a certain product.

Also be mindful of the ingredients before you buy a certain product. When recipes are changed by the manufacturer, a trigger food may be added to the new one.

Latex Allergy Overview

The most common offending product for people with latex allergy is latex gloves. Latex allergy also occurs when an allergic person comes in contact with latex in medical devices and condoms. Symptoms of latex hypersensitivity are the following: eye tearing and irritation, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and itchiness of the skin or nose. Symptoms of latex allergy can range from mild to severe. Mild reactions may only include itchiness of the skin due to skin rashes. However, anaphylaxis may occur which is a severe allergic reaction. It will cause tightening of the airways making it difficult to breathe. Hives may also develop and gastrointestinal problems.

In order to treat allergic reactions, products with latex should be removed. Epinephrine and antihistamines can cure allergy symptoms. There are 2 things that you must do when you are diagnosed with latex allergy. First, always wear a MedicAlert bracelet and bring an emergency epinephrine kit with you all the time.

If you are diagnosed with latex allergy, you should not use products with latex content.

Poison Ivy Allergy Facts

Poison plants are infamous for eliciting caustic effects upon contact with the skin. This property is due to its oily and irritating sap called urushiol. Itchy rashes typical of an allergic reaction are observed with exposure to urushiol. This may happen within a few hours, or days after exposure. Exposure to urushiol need not be from direct contact. Indirect contact through other objects covered with the sap is possible.

Urushiol does not degrade even after the death of a poison plant. Its leaves, stems, and roots all have this component. Urushiol is speedily absorbed into the skin. Inhaling urushiol particles in the air is probable during poison plant combustion. Irritation of the nasal passages, throat, and lungs develop when airborne urushiol particles are inhaled. Most parts of the US, except Alaska, Hawaii, and the Southwest deserts, are conducive for the growth of the poison plants.

Poison ivy may grow as vines or shrubs. The Eastern, Midwestern, and Southern areas of the US predominantly see the existence of poison ivy vines. Poison ivy shrubs, on the other hand, exist in the northern and western areas. The three leaflets present in a poison ivy plant make it easier to identify. Poison sumac generally occurs as a woody shrub. This plant also has stems with about 7 to 13 leaves arranged in pairs. Only poison sumac has drooping clusters of green berries on its shrub. Wet, quaggy areas are conducive to the proliferation of poison sumac. A group of red berries can be seen hanging vertically in harmless sumac shrubs.

Latex Allergy

Latex gloves use has countered the transmission of infectious diseases to healthcare workers. An increase in latex allergy incidence has been reported due to latex exposure. The rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, releases a milky fluid used in the manufacture of natural rubber. "Latex" actually refers to this product.

Sometimes the term "latex" is used for some synthetic rubber. Nevertheless, it should be noted that allergic reactions do not occur with these. The proteins responsible for the allergic reactions to latex are absent in synthetic latex. Latex from natural rubber is composed of proteins which are responsible for the allergic responses. It is unclear to how long a person should be exposed to latex to garner sensitization. An increase in latex protein exposure also means an increase in the risk of the development of latex allergy symptoms.