read one everyday

Most people with asthma or hay fever or other outdoor allergies think of their home as a haven where they can escape their allergies. Unfortunately, houses and apartment buildings harbor their own allergens (agents that cause allergy symptoms). The inside of your home actually traps allergens, making them impossible to avoid.

Read more on A Guide For Indoor Allergens…

An allergic sensitivity is a reaction of the immune system to a foreign invader, a substance that is not native to your body. Exposure to this invader, an allergen, triggers the reaction.

Read more on The Causes Of Indoor Allergies…

The single best thing you can do is remove the allergen from your environment. A variety of medications can be used to treat hay fever, eye symptoms, and asthma.

Nonprescription antihistamine medication such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) by mouth reduces the itch and watery eyes. Caution – these medications may make you too drowsy to drive or operate machinery safely. They can interfere with concentration or with children’s learning at school. They are to be used for a few days only. If symptoms do not improve, your physician may prescribe one or more medications. The medications do not cure the allergy, but relieve symptoms.

Read more on The Treatments For Indoor Allergies…

Antihistamines include older antihistamines, also called first-generation antihistamines, and newer second-generation antihistamines.

First-generation antihistamines most of these antihistamines are available without a prescription, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), clemastine (Tavist), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton Allergy). These older antihistamines are more likely to cause drowsiness. Depending on the product, the duration of action is often shorter than newer antihistamines and may necessitate taking the drug 3-4 times each day. These older antihistamines are more likely to cause dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, and blurred vision.

Read more on Prevention Steps And Medications For Indoor Allergies…

Allergic reactions are sometimes unpredictable. Always watch for a return of symptoms as medications wear off or exposure to an allergen trigger continues. Return of symptoms may be sudden and severe.

Read more on The Facts About Allergic Reactions…

Hay fever does not always require medical treatment. Avoid known or suspected allergens. Hay fever symptoms lend themselves to home treatment.

Gargle with warm salt water, 1-2 tablespoons of table salt in 8 ounces of warm water, to soothe a mildly sore throat. Take nonprescription antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to relieve symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, and itchy throat and eyes. Caution these medications may make you too drowsy to drive a car or operate machinery safely.

Read more on The Treatment For Hay Fever…

The top priority for the medical team is ensuring that your breathing and blood pressure are protected. If you are having difficulty breathing, you may be given oxygen via a tube in your nose or by face mask.

Read more on The Treatment For Insect Sting Allergy…

Take precautions to avoid insect stings in the future. Avoid nests or hives of stinging insects. Do not wear bright clothing or perfumes that might attract bees and wasps.

Remain calm and quiet around flying insects. Move slowly. Take special care when around food or drinks outdoors, as at cookouts or picnics. Stinging insects are attracted to foods, especially sweet foods such as soft drinks. Evaluation by an allergist for desensitization injections has been shown to be of benefit. Obtain one or more epinephrine injection kits if this has been prescribed for you.

Read more on The Prevention Of Insect Sting Allergy…

One or more prior severe reactions to an insect sting place you at an increased risk of severe reactions with each sting.

It is important to let the health care provider know that you have been stung and whether you have had reactions in the past. Be prepared to tell the health care provider all of the medications you have taken for the sting, both prescription and over-the-counter. Don’t forget any herbal preparations or other treatments you may have taken.

Read more on The Examination Of Insect Sting Allergy…

Take all prescribed medicines as directed except for those drugs you are instructed to take only as needed. This will reduce the possibility of the hives or swelling coming back.

Contact your health care provider or return to the hospital if you have any of the following, rash or swelling returns or gets worse, difficulty with your medicines, new symptoms, sores or swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, fever or chills, difficulty with breathing or swallowing, and vomiting or diarrhea.

Read more on The Prevention Of Hives And Angiodema…