Allergy categories
Ragweed, Russian thistle, bermudagrass,
oak, elm, maple, mountain cedar and walnut trees. It’s a jungle
of potential allergens out there!
You could run in the house and shut the
door, but then dust mites, pet dander, latex, and other household
allergens just might trigger an allergic reaction. Oh, and peanuts,
milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish and corn are among the
many food allergens you should be aware of. Find out for sure! Getting tested can
tell you if you are allergic and what you are allergic to.
Over 100 million Americans have upper
respiratory disease and suffer from allergy-like symptoms. Certain
allergies come and go with the seasons, while others last year-round.
Seasonal or not, most allergies fall into one or more of these
four categories:
Animal
About 15 percent of the population is allergic to cats or dogs,
but many other common household pets and farm animals can bring
on allergy symptoms. The allergen most likely to trigger animal
allergies is flakes of skin called dander; the hair, fur or
feathers of the animal are usually not the problem.
Food
Many people are confused about food allergies because it may
be common to have a reaction to food at one time or another.
The reaction you have to liver may be heartfelt, but it isn't
necessarily an allergy. A true food allergy occurs when the
immune system is involved in producing antibodies to a particular
food.
Household
Dust mites, tiny creatures that live in mattresses, pillows
and other surfaces, are the cause of many allergy symptoms.
The dust around your house may contain other allergens such
as mold spores, pollen and animal dander. Allergies to household
materials are major triggers of asthma, and you should know
what you're allergic to. Common household irritants may include
cleaning products, latex gloves, tobacco and, occasionally,
your spouse.
Outdoor
More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis,
or “hay
fever.” This type of allergy is most often caused by pollen
produced by trees, grasses and weeds. Mold is another cause of
offending allergies. Like pollen, molds trigger allergic reactions
when they become airborne in large numbers.
Chances are if you are allergic, you have
allergies in more than one of these categories, but probably
not in all of them. |
