What is allergy

According to a study about the asthmatic population in Hong Kong, 5-15% of adults suffer from asthma, for children the prevalence is about 15-20%. On average asthma claims 70-90 lives per year and 20-30 of them aged below 40. Over 90% of the asthmatics have allergies.

Other common illnesses caused by allergies include allergic rhinitis (sinus problems or hay fever), allergic coughs, sneezing, atopic eczema (skin problems) and conjunctivitis (itchy and watery eyes).

An allergy is simply a hypersensitivity or an abnormal reaction to a substance that is ordinarily harmless to most people. The substances which trigger the allergic reactions are called allergens.

Allergy sufferers who are highly sensitive will have symptoms every time they are exposed to an allergen. Those who are only slightly allergic would need to be exposed to a higher concentration of allergens before any symptoms appear.

Allergens may enter our body through any one of these ways:

• inhaling - airborne allergens include dust mite droppings, house dust, pollen and pet allergens.
• eating - food allergens e.g. blueberry, peanuts, seafood.
• contact - could be contact with the eyes or skin e.g. dust mite droppings, cosmetics, insect bites.

Currently, allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis are managed using a combination of three approaches:

• Pharmacotherapy - taking prescribed medication, such as antihistamines and steroids. Current medications are for symptom suppressions and cannot really cure allergies.
• Allergen-specific immunotherapy - taking "allergy shots" over an extended period, an expensive and painful approach and is only recommended to serious sufferers.
• Allergen avoidance - keeping the allergens away from the sufferer, so that he does not react to them.

Studies have shown that if proper allergy avoidance measures are implemented, allergic symptoms can be dramatically reduced or even eliminated. This method is most cost-effective and best tolerated in the long run.

The goal of allergen avoidance measure is not to eliminate the allergen load to zero (usually it is impossible while having a normal living). Rather, it is to reduce the allergen load to below the patient's allergen threshold, so that symptoms will not be triggered.

© 2005 Allercure Limited. Information as provided herein is for educational and informational purposes, is not intended to be and does not constitute medical advice, and is not to be construed as a substitute for a physician's consultation. The user is advised to consult independent medical advice about the applicability of any opinions or recommendations as appears herein.