Symptoms of Latex Allergy: The signs of this allergy can be divided to two types, namely; immediate and delayed. Workers in rubber industry, health care providers and people who had many surgeries in childhood are at high risk of developing this condition.

Immediate Symptoms:These are the serious types of signs which require quick medical attention. Some of these signs are:

• Itching
• Hives
• Wheezing
• Tightness of throat
• Difficulty in breathing
• A severe and life-threatening allergic condition known as anaphylaxis
• Death in rare cases

Delayed Symptoms: These signs are not life-threatening. They require 12-24 hours to be apparent. Mostly these signs are rashes developed at the site of contact. The allergy here is not caused by the natural protein substance present in the latex but the chemicals used in the products made from the substance.

Some people suffering from this allergy also complain of oral allergy syndrome. This condition involves swelling and itching of mouth after eating certain foods like chestnuts, kiwi, melons, banana and avocado. In most of the cases, this syndrome is mild to moderate in severity and it is in the better interest in the patient to avoid these foods.

Treatment of Latex Allergy:

Injectable epinephrine, corticosteroids and anti-histamines are used to treat the immediate symptoms. Topical corticosteroid creams are used to treat delayed signs. In severe cases, corticosteroid pills or syrup are used. The best way is to develop awareness about products and foods which cause this allergy and stay away from it.

How Symptoms of Allergy are Produced?

In an allergic person, an usually harmless substance is identified by the body to be a threat for some unknown reason. It becomes the source of allergy or the allergen. The body as a response to this threat takes needful action. It releases an antibody called as Immunoglubolin E (IgE).

When the body again gets exposed to the allergen, IgE gets attached with two immune system cells, namely the basophils and mast cells. This leads to release of chemical substances which produce the symptoms of allergy.

How Allergy Immunotherapy Works?

Immunotherapy to treat allergy involves injecting the very allergen responsible for the disorder into the body. The amounts of the allergen are increased gradually. This process continues until the body immune system (technical name to the natural protection system of the body) gets retained.

This exposure develops a tolerance for the allergen in the body which ceases to respond anymore. This process is called specific immunotherapy.

When the process is repeated several times, it is observed that the body completely stops being sensitive to the particular allergen in question. This reduces the symptoms and also the treatment which essentially curbs the symptoms without able to address the root cause of the allergy.

It is not fully understood yet as how repeated exposure to a particular allergen in turn treats the body from an allergy. It is believed that the immune system itself undergoes a change by this process. The body changes the production of IgE and instead develops antibodies which inhibit IgE for initiating allergic responses.

Allergy immunotherapy can benefit 4 out of 5 allergic patients if it is carried out for 2 years continuously. It is particularly effective against dust, pollen and animal dander allergies. Asthma patients also find this treatment technique useful.

Based on the severity, there are four types of hypersensitivity and allergy belongs to type 1 category. This article covers the basics of the query, what is allergy.

Symptoms of Allergy:

• Allergic rhinitis
• Allergic sinusitis
• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Redness
• Asthma
• Laryngeal edema
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Dyspnea
• Bronchoconstriction
• Pain
• Feeling of fullness
• Impaired hearing
• Hives
• Rashes
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Pain in abdomen

Causes of Allergy:

Type 1 hypersensitivity is triggered in humans by substances from the environment called allergens. Some of these environmental factors of allergy are pollution, dietary changes and changes that took place due to exposure of infectious diseases in childhood. Apart from this gender, age, race and heredity are also some of the significant factors.

Statistics of Allergy in the United States:

Diagnosis of Allergy:

In the initial stages of diagnosis, other possible causes associated by the presented symptoms are studied. Once it is confirmed that the symptoms pertain to allergy, the allergen is discovered. Skin test is preferred as it is simple, less expensive, more sensitive and specific.

Antibodies are proteins used by the immune system in our body to identify foreign substances. One such antibody associated with type 1 hypersensitivity is IgE. It activates the release of large amount of protective cells called the white blood cells which cause the symptoms of a particular type of allergy. Blood test is carried out to identify IgE in the liquid portion of the blood called serum.

Treatment of Allergy:

Allergens which cause a type of allergy should be avoided as much as possible. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a class of drugs anti-leukotrienes like singulair and accolade to treat allergic diseases. Mast cell stabilizers, decongestants and anti-cholinergics are meant to treat severe form of type 1 hypersensitivity.

Hyposensitization, monoclonal anti-IgE antibodies intravenous injection and sublingual immunotherapy are some of the advanced treatment options of the chronic form of allergy.

Allergic diseases are treated in the United States by doctors known as Allergists. They are certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) and require completion of nine years of training to start their practice.

Home Remedies for Allergy:

• Drinking half a cup of fruit juice or even plain water with five drops of castor oil in it on empty stomach every morning can treat skin, intestinal and nasal passage allergies.
• People suffering from asthma, digestive disorders and skin rashes can eat two to three banana to curb the allergy.
• 300 ml of carrot juice and 100 ml of cucumber and beet juices can be mixed together. Drinking this juice every morning is beneficial.
• Consuming basil tea is very beneficial as it contains a component called the caffeic acid which fights against allergens.
• Drinking peppermint tea can be one of the best home remedies to deal with allergies as it contains anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and decongestant components.
• Breathing steam for five to 10 minutes every day can provide relief from sinuses.
• Soaking half a cup of baking soda in warm bath for 30 minutes can provide relief from hives.
• Rinsing the eyes with cold water can reduce the itchy and irritated sensation caused by allergens in the eyes.
• Wearing glasses on windy days can protect the eyes from airborne allergens.
• Fasting for four to five days on only fresh fruit juices can develop tolerance towards allergies.
• The fasting practice should be followed by vegetable or fruit diet for a week.
• Protein food should be taken after four weeks of the diet.
• Regular exercise and practicing meditation are found to enhance mind control, reduce stress and increase allergy tolerance ability of the body.
• Anuloma-viloma pranayama, ardh-matsyendrasana, yogamudra, shavasana, sarvangasana are some of the yoga postures can be effective in treating allergy.

Allergy Rhinitis affects about 20% of the American population and is considered to be one of the common illnesses in the United States. The symptoms of this allergy generally occur in the nose as well as the eyes and occur on account of dust, certain seasonal pollens as well as danders. About nearly 2/3rds of patients suffer from symptoms allergic rhinitis before they are 30 years of age.

There is no genetic predisposition to allergy rhinitis. Patients movements can be severely restricted. A lot of money is spent on physician’s bills and medication for treating this chronic illness.

Causes of Allergy Rhinitis
Seasonal and perennial such as tree, ragweed pollens and grass.

• Cockroaches.
• Mold.
• Dust mites.
• Animal dander.

Symptoms of Allergy Rhinitis

• Repetitive sneezing.
• Rhinorrhea (runny nose).
• Nasal congestion.
• Post nasal drip.
• Pruritic or rather itchy eyes, nose, throat or ears.
• Fatigue.
• Wheezing.
• Eye tearing.
• Impaired smell.
• Sore throat.

Prevention of Allergy Rhinitis
Seasonal allergens are difficult to be avoided outdoors but can be controlled by closing our windows and switching on the air conditioners.

• Too much exposure outside mold can be avoided by avoiding such as activities as lawn mowing etc.
• Try to maintain an allergen free environment. Like covering pillows, and your mattresses with the help of plastic covers.
• One can make use of air purifiers.
• Dust filters.
• Removing items such as drapes, bedspreads, carpets etc. which tend to collect dust.

Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis
Decongestants and antihistamines. Antihistamines are in the form of capsules, liquids and tablets.

• Nasal Sprays.
• Immunotherapy, in other words allergy shots. This is recommended for those who do not respond to medical treatment, or suffer from side –effects caused due to medication.

Allergic Rhinitis is a common ailment. Many in the United States suffer from it.