Allergy

Today, we are talking about allergies.

I remember when I was in boarding school most people used them as an excuse to get out of chores but theres more to allergies than that.
Sometimes it is difficult to know when one is having an allergic reaction or a common cold or other illnesses.
Let us talk about it.

What are Allergies?

Allergies result when the body's immune system overreacts to a substance that is normally harmless. The substance, which is referred to as an allergen, could be anything from the pollen of a specific tree to a particular ingredient in a medication. It could be a puppy's dander or a food such as peanuts. While not everyone experiences allergies, some people are allergic to one specific thing, while others suffer a wide variety of different reactions to different allergens.Two of the most common types of allergies are seasonal outdoor allergies (seasonal allergic rhinitis) and year-round indoor allergies (perennial allergic rhinitis).Indoor allergens like dust, mould, mildew, and animal dander can irritate eyes, noses, and throats all year round.

Allergy signs and symptoms

Allergy symptoms may include the following:• sneezing• runny nose• itchy throat, nose, roof of the mouth• itchy, watery or red eyes• congestionAlthough allergies and colds have similar symptoms, there are some telltale signs that can help you differentiate between them. If you aren't sure whether you have allergies or just a cold, Your pharmacist or doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment.

Is it an allergy or a cold?

Symptoms of allergies

No Fever
Watery and Clear nasal discharge
Sneezing
Rarely Cough
It usually lasts weeks to months.

Symptoms of Colds

Sometimes Fever
Thick and Coloured Nasal Discharge
Cough
Sneezing
It usually lasts about a week

Avoiding allergens

Sidestep your triggers.
If you know what triggers your allergies, it is best to avoid it.For some people, allergy season lasts all year and its symptoms strike close to home. It can be challenging to avoid your allergy triggers when they're all over your house, but it can be done.

Deal with dust.
Keep the house as dust-free as possible. When dusting, use a damp cloth. The dust will cling to the cloth better this way, keeping it from floating off into the air. Regularly wash bed sheets in hot water, choose sturdy but lightweight fabric blankets that can withstand weekly washings.Wear protective wear when sweeping or vacuuming or ask someone else to vacuum for you.Smooth the surfaces. Dust clings to random clutter like clothes, books, and paperwork. Piles of pillows may please the eye, but they're dust collectors, too, as are stuffed toys. Houseplants seem like they would be good for the air, but they tend to accumulate dust and mould.You can regularly wipe down surfaces to get rid of dust.

Minimize the mould.
A cool, well-ventilated home with low humidity levels will invite less mould. Closed-in spaces such as closets, basements, and especially bathrooms are mould magnets. Shower curtains tend to get mouldy after repeated use and should either be regularly bleached or simply replaced.

Protect yourself from pet dander.
Unfortunately, most experts would recommend removing allergy-causing animals from the house. You may also want to consider implementing a strict "No pets allowed" policy in bed.

avoiding allergens

There are a wide range of treatments available for allergy sufferers, including prescription and non-prescription products. These include:
Nasal medications (decongestants)
Eye drops
Oral medications (example antihistamines)