Many things can trigger an allergic reaction.That's when your body's defenses attack a usually harmless substance,such as pollen,animal dander,or food.The reaction can range from mild and annoying to sudden abd life-threatening.About one in five Americans have allergies.
POLLEN÷pollen from grasses,trees and weedscan trigger hay fever or seasonal allergies.You might be sneezing and have a runny or stuffy nose and itchy,water eyes.Treat these with the over-the-counter products, prescription drugs,and allergy shots.To prevent symptoms,stay inside on windy days when pollen counts are high,close windows,and run the air conditioning.
ANIMAL DANDER÷ A reaction to proteins in an animal's saliva or in oil glands in their skin might take two years or longer to become an allergy.If your pet is the trigger,you may still be able to live with him.Make your bedroom a petfree zone,opt fir bare floors and washable rugs instead of carpets,and bathe him regularly.A HEOA filter and allergy shots may help,too.
DUST MITES÷Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in bedding,mattresses,upholstery,carpets,and curtains.They feed on dead skin cells from people and pets,as well as on pollen ,bacteria, and fungi.They thrive in high humidity.To cut down on problems,use hypoallergenuc pillows,cover mattresses, pillows and box springs,and wash sheets weekly in hot water.keep the house free of dust collecting itens suchvas stuffed animals,curtains,and carpet.
INSECT STINGS÷ A sting or bite could cause swelling and redness that may last a week or more.You might feel sick to your stomach and tired and have a low fever.In rare cases, insect bites trigger a reaction that can be life-threatening,called anaphylaxis.
FOODS÷Food allergies are most common in babies and may go away as people get older. Although some food allergies can be serious, many just cause annoying symptoms like an itchy rash, a tingly tongue, and diarrhea . The most common food allergies are: milk and other dairy products, eggs , wheat, soy, peanuts and tree nuts, and seafood .
MEDICINES÷Antibiotics — medicines used to treat infections — are the most common type of medicines that cause allergic reactions. Many other medicines, including over-the-counter medications (those you can buy without a prescription), also can cause allergic reactions.
CHEMICALS ÷ Some cosmetics or laundry detergents can make people break out in hives. Usually, this is because someone has a reaction to the chemicals in these products, though it may not always be an allergic reaction. Dyes, household cleaners, and pesticides used on lawns or plants also can cause allergic reactions in some people.
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