Allergy Symtoms

What is allergy?

Allergy is common, occurring in one in five Australians. It results, in part, from the release of irritant chemicals, such as histamine, into the body’s tissues. The result is hay fever, asthma, food allergy or hives, also known as urticaria.

What causes allergy symtoms?

Underneath the lining of the skin, gut, lungs, nose and eyes are mast cells. These are designed to kill worms and parasites. Mast cells are like land mines and contain bags filled with irritant chemicals, including histamine. When these bags of histamine are released in small amounts, they cause irritation. In larger amounts, they can cause rashes as in eczema, sneezing as in hay fever, runny nose as in rhinitis and wheezing as in asthma.

What happens during an allergic reaction?

Mast cells are armed with proteins called IgE antibodies, which act as remote sensors in the body’s local environment. A person allergic to peanut for example, will have IgE antibodies capable of recognising the shape of the peanut protein, the allergen, in much the same way that a lock recognises the shape of a key. When this happens, mast cells dump their contents into the tissues, causing an allergic reaction.

Allergies tend to run in families.

Allergic people have a greater than average tendency to produce IgE antibodies to common environmental substances such as dustmite, pet, mould, food and chemicals. This tendency is inherited and occurs in around two in five people. If you have one allergic parent, there is one in three chance of developing allergies yourself. If both your parents are allergic, the chances double.

Why is allergy increasing?

There are many theories to explain the fact that the incidence of allergy has approximately doubled in the last thirty to forty years in almost every country in which it has been studied. Theories for which there is evidence include:

- Less exposure to parasitic disease, leaving one side of the immune system with nothing to do except react against harmless allergens.
- Lower rates of breast feeding.
- Exposure to air pollution, primarily exposure to particulate matter from diesel fumes.
- the “hygiene hypothesis” whereby exposure to less infection early in life with cleaner living may actually make the development of allergy more likely.

What can you do?

Worldwide research has shown that the most effective method for reducing risk of illness through allergic response is to control the source of the trigger that causes the reaction.

By removing the source of the problem, the problem generally goes with it. Medication will normally only be required to assist your body to function properly with the damage that has already been done until you recover, that is if you can, from the original contact. This contact may be a short term, high level contact or a long term, low level contact. It may be of any duration combined with any level. We are all individuals who react differently, but the genetic inheritance we carry is a major influence on the risk factors.

Eliminate the cause and reduce the risk.

If you have dust mites allergy, dust mite control is essential. Similarly, if you are allergic to pet hair, remove the cause, reduce the risk and the symptoms.

As part of a comprehensive allergy and asthma natural treatment strategy, dust mite bedding prevent exposure to house dust mites while your children and family sleep. Mould removal can stop coughing and provide welcome relief.

Avoid using toxic dust mite spray and use mattress cleaning professionals, Mitey Fresh, who understand dust mites and the environment they live in. Decrease humidity with a dehumidifier hire and reduce dust mites and their allergens in the home.

Cover mattresses with specifically designed and made, dust mites mattress protectors, providing welcome relief from dust mite allergy symptoms such as coughing and runny nose.

Allergy symtoms may not be an acute issue with many people, but can be very symptomatic for some.

Click here to see our range of dust mite covers.