Do you personally or some of your relatives/friends suffer form any allergy? What are you allergic to? What do you do to get over a bout of allergy?

ALLERGIES.

What causes allergies?

You know you have an allergy when your body overreacts to things that don’t cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens. Overreaction to the allergens is what causes symptoms. If it’s not allergy for food, then the term “hay fever” is often used to describe your body’s allergic reaction. This usually concerns seasonal allergy. If you keep a record of your allergy symptoms over a period of time, this can help you and your doctor identify which allergens cause you to overreact.

Your doctor will probably want to do an allergy skin test to help determine exactly what is causing your allergy. During the test tiny amounts of allergens are put onto your skin to see which ones you react to. Once you know which allergens you are allergic to, you and your doctor can decide the best treatment. Your doctor may also decide to do a blood test.

Common allergy symptoms

The parts of the body that are most prone to allergies are eyes, nose, skin, stomach

ü Watery eyes (слезящиеся глаза)

ü Itchy nose, eyes, ears

ü Stuffy nose

ü Ear fullness (заложенность в ушах) and popping

ü Dark circles under the eyes

ü Sneezing and runny nose

ü Sore throat

ü Cough

ü Chest conjestion (сдавливание грудной клетки)

ü Redness around the eyes

ü Itchy skin

ü Rash

ü Stomach pain

ü Cramps (колики)

ü Nausea

ü Vomiting

The most common allergens

ü Pollen from trees, grass, weeds

Allergies that occur in the spring – late April and May – are often due to tree pollen. Allergies that occur in the summer – late May to mid-July – are often due to grass and weed pollen.

ü Mold

Mold is common where water tends to collect, such as shower curtains, window mouldings and damp basements. It can also be found in rotting logs, hay, moss, compost files and leaf litter. This allergy is usually worse during humid and rainy weather.

ü Animal dander

Proteins, that are found in the skin and saliva of furry pets such as especially cats and dogs are allergens. You can be exposed to dander when handling an animal or from house dust that contains dander.

ü Dust

Many allergens including dust mites, are in dust. Dust mites are tiny living creatures found in bedding, mattresses, carpeting and upholstered furniture.

How can I avoid allergens?

POLLENS. Shower or bathe before bedtime to wash off pollen and other allergens in your hair and on your skin. Avoid going outside, especially on dry windy days. Keep windows and doors shut and use an air conditioner at home and in your car.

MOLD. You can reduce the amount of mold in your home by removing house plants and by frequent cleaning of shower curtains, bathroom windows, damp walls, indoor trash cans. Use a mix of water and chlorine bleach to kill mold. Open doors and windows and use fans to increase air movement and help prevent mold.

Don’t carpet bathrooms or other damp rooms and use mold-proof paint instead of wallpaper. You can also reduce humidity in your house by using a dehumidifier.

DANDER. You can of course give your pets away or at least keep them outside. However there are some ways to reduce the amounts of pet dander in your home. Bathe and groom your pet regularly, change the bedding frequently, vacuum-clean the house.

DUST. To reduce dust mites in your house remove feather pillows, upholstered furniture, soft toys. Replace carpets with linoleum or wood. Polished floors are best. Mop the floor as often as possible and wipe surfaces with a damp cloth. Vacuum regularly. Vacuum soft furniture and curtains as well as floors. Cover mattress and pillows with plastic covers.

Medicines to relieve the symptoms.

Require a prescription for special medicine and pills at the doctor’s. Usually the most effective are antihistamines (антигистаминные препараты). They reduce the sneezing, runny nose and itchiness. However be careful because some of them can cause drowsiness(сонливость, вялость) and dry mouth. Some nasal sprays and eye drops can reduce eye redness and stuffy nose. Your doctor may also prescribe steroid pills or antibiotics for a short time if your symptoms are very severe.

The radical point is taking an allergy shot (укол, инъекция). Allergy shots are often called immunotherapy because they contain small amounts of allergens. They’re given on a regular schedule so that your body gets used to the allergens and no longer overreacts to them. Allergy shots are only used when the allergens you’re sensitive to can be identified and when you can’t avoid them. It can take years to finish treatment, and sometimes you may need to have treatments throughout your life.

Answer the questions:

1. What is an allergy?

2. How does a doctor make an allergy test?

3. What are the most common allergy symptoms?