Allergies, Hay Fever and Asthma

Allergies pose a significant and serious health problem in this country. According to conservative estimates, nearly 15 million Americans are plagued by hay fever and 10 million have asthma. Twelve million more Americans suffer from such allergies as eczema and hives, not to mention allergic reactions to food, drugs, and insect stings. Most of these disorders have a hereditary component and tend to run in families

What Is An Allergic Reaction?

Basically, an allergic reaction occurs whenever the immune system overreacts to a seemingly harmless substance. Known as allergens, these substances include pollen, mold, house dust, mites, animal saliva and dander (skin shed by cats, dogs, or rabbits), feathers (such as those used in feather pillows), certain foods and drugs, and insect stings.

Allergens are usually absorbed into the body by way of the skin, nasal passages, lungs, or digestive tract. Once inside the body, allergens stimulate the lymphocytes (small white blood cells) to produce what are known as allergic antibodies. The reaction between the allergen and these antibodies, which are attached to certain special cells (mast cells), leads to inflammation of the nose, eyes, lungs, and the digestive tract. A stuffy nose, sneezing, wheezing, skin rash, watery eyes, abdominal cramps, and nausea are some of the most common results.

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Hay Fever

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) can be brought on at certain seasons by the airborne pollens of trees, grass, and weeds. Other allergens cause hay fever all year. These year-round troublemakers include molds, dust mites, and animal dander.

Hay fever symptoms include sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion, and an itchy palate and throat. Hay fever can also be accompanied by conjunctivitis (itchy, swollen eyes), malaise, headache, and sinus pain.

Asthma
(From the PDR Family Guide to Prescription Drugs
Chapter 14)
Although asthma is a common condition that affects all age groups, one-third of all cases occur in children under 10 years old. This means that approximately three million children in the fifth grade and below suffer from this disorder. Not surprisingly, asthma accounts for more school absences than any other chronic childhood illness.

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