Have you ever stepped outside, snuggled up with a pet, or come across a perfume that suddenly had your eyes itching, your nose stuffy and a feeling that your head was going to explode? You may suffer from allergies. Allergy sufferers must continuously watch where they go, what they eat and even who they can be around. It can be a life-long struggle revolving around different medicines. This article will address some of the common questions about allergies that you might have.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is a reaction to a particular substance by your immune system. Most people may never be affected by a particular allergen or substance but in some people the presence of the allergen begins to trigger a series of reactions from the immune system. The result can be itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, throat swelling and can go from there depending on the severity of the reaction. Some allergic reactions can be dangerous and can result in death if treatment is not received in time.

What are some common prescription and non-prescription allergy medications?

The most common prescription for people who suffer seasonal allergies is Nasonex, Allegra or Clarinex. Common over-the-counter medicines are Benadryl, Dimetane, and Claritin. The decision on whether or not you need a prescription medicine will be made by your physician. In many people over-the-counter medications can keep their allergies to a minimum. For people who have severe allergies, allergy shots may be recommended.

I love my pets but I found out I am allergic to them. What can I do?

That is a very tough question. The answer depends on how severe your allergies are. Can you live with being on medication or will the medication be enough to suppress your allergies? There are things you can do to help ease the allergies. Try keeping the furniture free from pet hair and by dusting or vacuuming often to remove the pet hair and dander.

Most people who suffer a pet allergy actually are reacting to the dander shed by the pet rather than the actual hair. If you are having severe reactions to the pets then you may have to let the pets go to another home. It is heartbreaking for pet owners to have to part with a beloved pet but if you or another member of your home is in danger, you must put health first.

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 5th, 2007 at 6:25 pm and is filed under Allergies & Allergens. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.