Allergy Awareness

1. Allergy Awareness

2. OVERVIEW • One out of 5 Americans suffer from some sort of allergy • Most allergies are inherited • Allergens affect different people in different ways • Ingested –reaction is in mouth, stomach, and intestines • Each person has an “ Allergic Threshold”

3. What is an allergy? • A condition in which your body’s immune system reacts with unusual sensibility to a certain substance(s) • Allergen / Trigger • Antibodies • Histamine • Allergy Symptoms

4. The impact of allergies • Allergic Rhinitis is the sixth most prevalent chronic condition in the US • 50 million Americans suffer from allergies • 3.8 million school and work days are lost per year • The cost of allergies in the United States is more than $10 billion dollars yearly.

5. Symptoms • Mild – does not spread to other parts of the body • Moderate – can spread to other parts of the body • Severe – response is sudden and affects the whole body • Can be Life-Threatening

6. common triggers

7. Common allergy triggerspollen • Male component of the plant’s reproductive system • Spring: Trees • Summer: grass and weeds • Fall: weeds; primarily ragweed • Hay fever is caused by mold releasing its reproductive cell ( spores)

8. Common allergy triggersmold • Molds flourish in warm, moist and dimly lighted areas of your home • Mold grows well in many surfaces • Once, established a mold colony is visible as spots or streaks • The spores contain the allergen and once airborne and inhaled your allergy symtoms begin

9. Common allergy triggersdermatophaoides • Better known as the Dust Mite • Skin eating creatures • Thrive in fabric exposed to warmth and moisture where flakes of human skin are abundant • You’ll find them in mattresses, carpets, drapes, towels, and clothing • Most common allergen

10. Common allergy triggerspets • Eleven million people are allergic to cats alone • About 15% of us are allergic to animals • Caused by proteins secreted by oil glands in • Pet skin • Pet saliva • As pets groom themselves, they transfer the allergen to their hair and skin The allergens are then broken off into tiny flakes called “Dander”

11. Common allergy triggersfood • Usually a protein found in food • Peanut allergy is responsible for more fatalities than any other type of allergy • More common in children than adults • Children can grow out of them; adults have them for life • Symptoms are usually mild. • Rash, stuffy nose, stomach ache • Anaphylaxis usually starts within an hour after you eat the food, and the symptoms can come back 1 to 2 hours later.

12. Top 8 food Allergens • Milk • Eggs • Peanut butter • Tree nut, ( walnut, cashew) • Soy • Shellfish • Fish • Wheat

13. Treatment and Care

14. Management Strategies • Avoidance • Critical factor in managing allergies since it deals directly with reducing the mechanisms which trigger allergies • Medication • Taking medication can provide additional relief by controlling the symptoms • Immunotherapy • The goal is to desensitize your body and increase your immune system

15. Management strategiesallergy proof your environmment • Home • Car • Outdoors • Traveling/ Staying in Hotels • Dining Out

16. Management StrategiesTreating Symptoms • Antihistamines • Side Effects; drowsiness • Decongestants • Side Effects: insomnia, BP, restricted urinary flow • Steriods • Side Effects: weight gain, fluid retention, BP, • Bronchodilators • Side Effects: BP , rapid HR

17. Management StrategiesMedications • What You Need To Know • Many drugs are now available “ over the counter” • There are several important things you should know when purchasing an OTC allergy medication •Instruction for use •Dosage •Some OTC medications contain an antihistamine and a decongestant •Consult your Doctor for potential drug interactions •Look for expiration date