Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
ALLERGY - Coggle Diagram
ALLERGY
REASONS
Various allergens like pollen (hay fever), dust, foods, animals, insect stings, certain medicines, etc.
GENETIC FACTOR
(33% of children with one allergic parent will develop allergies, 77% of children with two allergic parents will develop allergies
PREVENTION
Being exposed to various allergens during childhood, one is less likely to have allergy in their later years.
Starting allergy medications before the allergy symptoms appear (one should speak with their doctor before taking such over-the-counter medications)
Using air conditioners instead of keeping windows open may well reduce the amount of fine powder capable of being an allergen
Wearing sunglasses outside might protect one's eyes from outside irritants. Using eye drops to get rid of any pollen
After being outside it's a good idea to shower and change clothes as soon as one gets home
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include a runny nose or sneezing, pain or tenderness, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness, itchy skin or a raised rash (hives), swollen eyes, lips, mouth or throat
Common outdoor allergies
Pollen
Symptoms include sneezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy throat and cough.
Smoke
Symptoms include burning or watery eyes, nasal congestion, coughing and shortness of breath and hoarseness.
Mold
Symptoms include cough, sneezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose and itchy throat.
TREATMENT
Treatments for allergies include trying to avoid allergens, medicines for mild allergic reactions, adrenaline auto-injectors (emergency medicines), desensitisation (immunotherapy) for severe allergic reactions
Visiting GP is advised when allergy isn't particularly mild
OTHER INFO
4 million workdays are lost to hay fever annually
HAYFEVER affects 1 in 5 people in the UK
PET ALLERGIES: pets are the second highest cause of allergy in the home in the UK.
Food allergies, particularly to peanuts, are on the rise, although they are still relatively uncommon.
A food intolerance is not the same as a food allergy. A food allergy is when the body's immune system reacts abnormally to specific foods. No allergic reaction takes place with a food intolerance.
Food intolerances are never life-threatening, whereas some allergies can cause anaphylaxis (an extreme form of allergic reaction causing swelling of the lips and tongue, breathing problems, collapse and loss of consciousness.
Anaphylaxis can cause death and is therefore a medical emergency.)