Is nature out to get you? - An allergy survival guide for dealing with triggers and symptoms - Doctor Care Anywhere
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Is nature out to get you? An allergy survival guide for dealing with triggers and symptoms.
Why do you get
allergic reactions?
If you an allergy sufferer, you aren’t Allergic reactions happen because the
alone. In fact, allergies affect more immune system mistakes something that
than a quarter of people in the UK at is actually harmless for an unwanted
foreign body. The immune system
some point in their lives. No wonder
overreacts and produces a chemical called
so many of us are coughing, sneezing histamine to fight it.
and nose trumpeting into a Kleenex.
Histamines act like bouncers outside a
First off, let’s look at what causes an night club. Their job is to get rid of the
allergic reaction. allergy trigger – such as dust, mould or
The answer involves your immune pollen particles that have entered the
system – your body’s natural defence body through the mouth, nose, skin or
system against infection. Under normal eyes – as swiftly as possible. And they’ll
circumstances your immune system do whatever it takes to get the job done,
produces antibodies that go to war against making you itch, swell up, cough and
foreign bodies such as bacteria and sneeze. Gesundheit!
viruses. But when it comes to allergies, it’s
a case of mistaken identity.
Stop allergies from ruining your life
Hachoo! Oh no, the weather’s changing and now your
allergies are flaring up. Don’t worry, we’ve written this You’ve probably heard of antihistamines.
helpful guide for people just like you. They’re an over-the-counter medicine that can alleviate
allergy symptoms. There are many different types so you
So, put away your pocket tissues and check out our best advice for
coping with your triggers and symptoms. It’s time to stop allowing may want to ask a doctor about which one is right for you.
dust, mould, pets and pollen from making you miserable.
Page 2 | Allergy Guide | May 2020 Allergy Guide | May 2020 | Page 3
All about
allergens
Substances that cause an allergic There’s an almost endless list of substances that can become an allergen,
reaction are called allergens. but here are a few of the most common offenders. Mother nature can be cruel.
Some people are lucky enough
to go through life without any
sensitivity. If you aren’t one of
them, you know all too well what
it feels like when your body reacts
Pollen Mould Food Animals
to an allergen. Your symptoms
Flowers, grass, Spores or particles Many people are Fur, saliva or dead
may range from mildly annoying trees and weeds released into the air allergic to nuts, skin cells from pets
to life-flashing-before-your- release microscopic can cause breathing shellfish, dairy, can be the cause of
particles into the air, problems. tomatoes, wheat or allergic reactions.
eyes serious. causing hay fever. eggs.
Most allergens are part of a family.
If you’re sensitive to one type of
allergen, you’ll probably react to other
members of the same family. For
example, if you’re allergic to peanuts,
you probably can’t eat other tree nuts,
such as almond, cashew or pine nuts.
Fruit Insects Medicine Chemicals
Latex allergy Some people are Painkillers and Laundry detergents,
sufferers may also allergic to venom antibiotics are the household cleaners
be allergic to fruits from insects such most common types and cosmetics can
Do you have any of these symptoms? like bananas, which as bees and wasps, of medicines that make people break
are technically part often with severe cause allergies. out in hives.
Runny nose Wheezing of the latex family. reactions.
Rash Coughing
Itchy eyes Nosebleeds
Nausea Asthma
Stomach problems
Allergy Guide | May 2020 | Page 5
Hating hay fever:
the scourge of Britain
While the list of possible allergens is What is hay fever? Your hay fever symptom checklist The pain of pollen
as long as your arm, the number one No bales of hay where you live? It doesn’t Runny or blocked nose Interestingly, the time of year when your
troublemaker is pollen. If you paid mean you can’t get hay fever. As you may
Sneezing
symptoms flare up can help explain which
attention in Mrs Smythe’s year four already know, hay fever is an allergic type of pollen allergy you have. Tree
reaction to tiny particles in the air such Itchy, watery or swollen eyes pollen, for example, usually starts in early
class, you’ll remember that pollen is a
as those from plants, mites, fungal spores Rash or itchy skin spring, followed by grass pollen (which is
fine powder released by plants as part
and pets. the most common type of pollen allergen)
of their reproductive cycle. Itchy throat or roof of your mouth in the early summer and weed pollen in
As explained earlier, your body mistakes
As the dreary winter months make way these harmless particles for a bacteria Itchy or sore ears early autumn.
for spring and summer, one in five people or virus invader – and your immune Wheezing and coughing
in the UK begin to suffer from allergic system goes on the warpath. A chemical
rhinitis, called hay fever. called histamine is released into your Sinus pain
The pollen seasons
Cue millions of people with blocked noses bloodstream, causing you to have hay Headache The time of year when you suffer
who speak like they have a cork stuck up fever symptoms.
Post-nasal drip, caused by excess from hay fever may explain which
each nostril. It feels just like having a cold. You may mucus from your nose running down type of pollen allergy you have.
have a runny nose, repeated sneezing, the back of your throat.
itchy eyes and sinus pressure. It can even Tree – late March to mid-May
inflame the airways and set off an asthma Grass – mid-May to July
attack.
Weed – June to September
Page 6 | Allergy Guide | May 2020 Allergy Guide | May 2020 | Page 7How to make Doctor Care
a comeback Anywhere is
here to help
Sorry to break it to you but there’s no If you speak to a GP through Doctor Care Whether you’re suffering from hay
cure for allergies. But you can fight Anywhere or at your local practice, he or fever or another allergy, you can You should book a
back by managing your symptoms. she may prescribe medicines including
call our doctors any time of the day Doctor Care Anywhere
antihistamines, decongestants, inhalers,
The best way to cope with your throughout the year. As a Doctor Care
allergy is to stay away from your
eye drops or nasal sprays.
Anywhere member, there’s no extra
appointment if your
If the above treatments don’t help, your
triggers. No surprises there. cost to you.
doctor may suggest immunotherapy
Over-the-counter
But what if you can’t stay away from treatment, administered as injections. All During your appointment, your GP will medicine doesn’t help
them? Pollen, dust or other environmental the above medicines are designed to help ask you a series of questions about your
allergens are always difficult to avoid. desensitise you to your allergy triggers. symptoms and general health. This Medication causes
This is where your doctor can make all is usually all that’s needed to reach a side effects
the difference. diagnosis. Symptoms are severe
In most instances, your doctor will Hay fever causes breathing
prescribe the most appropriate over- difficulty
the-counter medicine to deal with your
allergies. But if your symptoms are more
When it’s really serious serious, your doctor may refer you to a
The most severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis and it can be clinic to have a blood or skin prick test.
deadly. If you or someone you know has an anaphylactic reaction, you
must get help right away and call 999. In some cases, the sick person will
need a shot of adrenalin called epinephrine as soon as possible.
For more information about Doctor Care Anywhere, please visit
our website: doctorcareanywhere.com
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