Being allergic to something may not seem to be a big deal to some people, but to others it can be life-changing. When someone is diagnosed with an allergy, especially when the allergen (the thing that triggers the body to have its allergic reaction) is very common in her environment, she may have to make many lifestyle changes to stay safe and healthy. The first step to treating an allergy is to understand fully what the allergy really is and how to keep one’s self safe. So what is a latex allergy? A latex allergy occurs when the human body decides that latex is a harmful substance and tries to fight it off; causing multiple symptoms, and sometimes being very hard to avoid.
Natural rubber latex is found in rubber trees, and is a white liquid. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), a latex allergy occurs when someone's body reacts to one or more of the proteins that are found in latex. (ACAAI) According to Mayo Clinic experts,
In a latex allergy, your immune system identifies latex as a harmful substance. With wheezing, runny nose or anaphylaxis, your immune system triggers certain cells to produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to fight the latex component (the allergen). The next time you come in contact with latex, the IgE antibodies sense it and signal your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream. The more exposure you have, the more your immune system is likely to respond to latex (sensitization). These chemicals cause a range of allergic signs and symptoms. Histamine is partly [sic] responsible for most allergic responses. (ACAAI)
Some symptoms of an allergic reaction to latex are the following: red skin; itchy rashes; hives; wel...
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You probably didn't even consider food additives as being something that would cause an allergic reaction. Well this food additive named Tartrazine, better known as FD&C (Food, Drug & Cosmetic) No. 5 has been suspected of creating asthmatic attacks & chronic hives. Tartrazine sensitivity is also linked to aspirin sensitivity.
True food allergies are rare. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) estimates that only 2% of the adult population of the United States is allergic to foods. Further, only eight foods cause 90% of all food allergic reactions. They are milk, egg, wheat, peanut, soy, tree nuts, fish and shellfish (Food Allergy Network). Many reactions to foods are really intolerance (reaction of the metabolism due to a chemical deficiency) rather than allergy (reaction of the immune system). Many infant allergies, which are later outgrown, are thought to be the result of immature immune systems. However, other allergies become stronger as the person ages and inadvertently becomes more exposed. One report on KCBS radio indicated there may be a link between mothers who ate peanuts during pregnancy and their children’s subsequent allergies.
Food allergy is a prevalent health condition wherein the body mistakenly identifies certain foods as harmful. According to the Food Allergy Research and Education or FARE, approximately 15 million Americans have food allergies and the numbers are continuously rising. Steering clear of foods that can trigger allergic reaction can be tough, thus it is important to educate yourself on what causes the allergy and how to avoid them. Following are several tips that can help avoid mild to life-threatening allergic reactions:
You have allergic symptoms like runny nose, hay fever, or a skin condition called eczema
8Peanut Butter, Milk, and other Deadly Threats: What You Should Know About Food Allergies, written by Sherri Mabry Gordon,
As we stated above allergies are reactions from environmental or food substances. The chemical histamine (C5H9N3) is released into the body and attacks the body to get rid of the allergens. This is
All sorts of food allergies affect eight percent of children and two percent of adults in the United States. Allergic reactions happen because one's immune system overreacts to regular foods that are ordinarily harmless to the general population (7). An allergy affecting many children and adults recently in the United States is an allergy to peanuts. In the last few years, tremendous amounts of people have developed this allergy, which seems, in most cases, to be very severe.
This allergic reaction can start within seconds of exposure, and rapidly develop to cause airway constriction, skin and intestinal irritation, and abnormal heart rhythms. An anaphylactic shock is caused by the release of histamine and other chemicals from mast cells. Mast cells are a type of white blood cell and they are found in tissues that regulate exchange with our environment. Mast cells have antibodies called IgE (immunoglobulin type E). IgE are made to detect environmental substances to which the immune system is sensitive. A substance that most people can tolerate, but others have an allergic response, is called an allergen. When IgE antibodies come together with allergens, they cause the mast cells to release histamine and other chemicals, which mix into all of the body's cells. This causes your body's vessels to leak fluid into surrounding tissues, causing the fluid accumulation, redness, and swelling. On smooth muscle cells of the airways and digestive system, they cause constriction. On nerve endings, they cause itching. (Molle, Durham, Kronenberger, & West-Stack, 2004)
Human race is known to have developed numerous allergies to various known and unknown allergens. An extreme allergic reaction which can be “life-threatening”. (Mydr.com.au, 2014) is referred to as Anaphylaxis.It is a “medical emergency”(Lloyd & Sisman,2013).Statistics indicate that maximum deaths occur due to allergic reactions of various medicines. The other causative agents can be insects, food, latex, hair dye, etc(Lloyd & Sisman,2013). The most common trigger to stimulate anaphylaxis among children are food products such as peanuts, dairy, seafood etc. Exposure to any of these allergens can result in severe anaphylactic attack within 20 minutes.(Australian Resuscitation council, 2012).However the doctors discuss the history of symptoms occurring in children suffering with peanut allergy before declaring them to be anaphylactic and prescribing medication. (Unknown, 2014). Symptoms of anaphylaxis may occur in varied forms depending upon the severty of the reaction. For instance in mild cases swelling of lips, eyes or face occurs along with hives, rash, tingling of mouth and vomitting accompanied with abdominal pain. Nevertheless in extreme conditions the former symptoms may be accompanied with noisy breathing, wheezing, hoarseness and unconsciousness. (Lloyd & Sisman,2013).
The study collected data on 50 volunteers who had one of the two chronic allergic
This procedure is done by the supervision of an allergy specialist due to the serious reaction that can occur. You may also be diagnosed if you experience any of the following reactions when exposed to latex: hives, skin rash, eye irritation itching difficulty breathing or wheezing.
When an allergen enters the body, selected plasma B cells produce allergen-specific immunoglobulin E(IgE). In Type I hypersensitivity, allergens bind to IgE on the membranes of basophils and mast cells, stimulating them to release preformed mediators like histamine, tryptase and others. This chemicals trigger glandular secretion and capillary permeability, causing clinical signs of local edema, mucus hypersecretion, congestion, watery eyes, and itchiness. It also produces smooth muscle spasms causing bronchospasms, vomiting,
Patients who usually have allergies suffer from many symptoms due to the allergic reaction(s). Normally, your immune system protects you against invading agents such as bacteria and viruses. Otherwise harmless allergens (allergy-producing substances) cause your body to react as if they were dangerous invaders. In effect, your immune system is responding to a false alarm.