Allergy

Food allergies or food intolerances affect nearly everyone at some point. People often have an unpleasant reaction to something they ate and wonder if they have a food allergy. One out of three people either say that they have a food allergy or that they modify the family diet because a family member is suspected of having a food allergy. But only about 5% of children have clinically proven allergic reactions to foods.In teens and adults, food allergies occur in about 4% of the total population.

This difference between the clinically proven prevalence of food allergy and the public perception of the problem is in part due to reactions called “food intolerances” rather than food allergies. A food allergy, or hypersensitivity, is an abnormal response to a food that is triggered by the immune system. The immune system is not responsible for the symptoms of a food intolerance, even though these symptoms can resemble those of a food allergy.

For example, being allergic to milk is different from not being able to digest it properly due to lactose intolerance.

It is extremely important for people who have true food allergies to identify them and prevent allergic reactions to food because these reactions can cause devastating illness and, in some cases, be fatal.

How Food Allergies Work

Food allergies involve two features of the human immune response. One is the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE), a type of protein called an antibody that circulates through the blood. The other is the mast cell, a specific cell that occurs in all body tissues but is especially common in areas of the body that are typical sites of allergic reactions, including the nose and throat, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract.

The ability of a given individual to form IgE against something as benign as food is an inherited predisposition. Generally, such people come from families in which allergies are common — not necessarily food allergies but perhaps hay fever, asthma, or hives. Someone with two allergic parents is more likely to develop food allergies than someone with one allergic parent.

Before an allergic reaction can occur, a person who is predisposed to form IgE to foods first has to be exposed to the food. As this food is digested, it triggers certain cells to produce specific IgE in large amounts. The IgE is then released and attaches to the surface of mast cells. The next time the person eats that food, it interacts with specific IgE on the surface of the mast cells and triggers the cells to release chemicals such as histamine. Depending upon the tissue in which they are released, these chemicals will cause a person to have various food allergy symptoms. If the mast cells release chemicals in the ears, nose, and throat, a person may feel an itching in the mouth and may have trouble breathing or swallowing. If the affected mast cells are in the gastrointestinal tract, the person may haveabdominal pain, vomoting, ordiarrhea. The chemicals released by skin mast cells, in contrast, can prompt hives.

Food allergens (the food fragments responsible for an allergic reaction) are proteins within the food that usually are not broken down by the heat of cooking or by stomach acids or enzymes that digest food. As a result, they survive to cross the gastrointestinal lining, enter the bloodstream, and go to target organs, causing allergic reactions throughout the body.

The complex process of digestion affects the timing and the location of an allergic reaction. If people are allergic to a particular food, for example, they may first experience itching in the mouth as they start to eat the food. After the food is digested in the stomach, abdominal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or pain may start. When the food allergens enter and travel through the bloodstream, they can cause a drop in blood pressure. As the allergens reach the skin, they can induce hives or eczema, or when they reach the lungs, they may cause bronchospasm (wheezing or constriction of the lungs). All of this takes place within a few minutes to an hour

Living With a Milk Allergy

Use this list to check food labels for cow’s milk or milk products.  Also, ask your doctor if sheep and goat’s milk are safe. For most people with a milk allergy, the answer is no — the proteins in sheep and goat’s milk are similar to those in cow’s milk and also cause a reaction.

Don’t get lactose intolerance confused with a milk allergy. They’re not the same thing. Lactose intolerance is when you can’t digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy products. You’ll often get symptoms like stomach pain, gas, and diarrhea. With a milk allergy, the symptoms affect more than just your digestive tract. A milk allergy is when your immune system thinks dairy is a foreign invader and attacks it by releasing chemicals called histamines. Symptoms can range from wheezing problems to vomiting and diarrhea.

Dairy Products to Avoid

• Butter and butter fat
• Cheese, including cottage cheese and cheese sauces
• Cream, including sour cream
• Custard
• Milk, including buttermilk, powdered milk, and evaporated milk
• Yogurt
• Ice cream
• Pudding

Foods With Milk in Them

These foods often contain cow’s milk protein. Check their labels before buying. If you’re eating out, ask if milk was used to make them.

• Au gratin dishes and white sauces
• Baked goods — bread, cookies, crackers, cakes
• Cake mix
• Cereals
• Chewing gum
• Chocolate and cream candy
• Coffee creamers
• Creamed or scalloped foods
• Donuts
• Malted milk
• Margarine
• Mashed potatoes
• Meats — canned and processed, including cold cuts and deli meats
• Nougat, found in some candy
• Salad dressings
• Sherbet

Ingredients With Milk

If you see these listed on a label, the food has milk proteins in it:

• Artificial butter or cheese flavor
• Casein or caseinates
• Curd
• Ghee
• Hydrolysates
• Lactalbumin, lactalbumin phosphate
• Lactose, lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, lactulose
• Rennet
• Whey or whey products

Tips for Living Well With a Milk Allergy

• Find other ways to get vitamins and minerals. Dairy products are an important source of calcium, protein, and vitamins D and B12. If you or your child has a milk allergy, foods such as broccoli, spinach, and soy products can help fill the void. A registered dietitian can help you develop a well-balanced eating plan.

• Try dairy substitutes. Drink soy, rice, and almond milk that are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Look for non-dairy ice cream, chocolate, cheese, and yogurt.

• Be careful with kosher products. Some may contain milk protein, even those labeled “pareve,” which are considered milk-free under kosher guidelines.

• Ask your pediatrician about safe formula. If you have a baby with a milk allergy, the doctor may suggest an extensively hydrolyzed, casein-based formula.

• Avoid milk outside the kitchen. Check labels on cosmetics, creams, and ointments to see if they contain cow’s milk in any form. Some medicines also contain whey, which is made from milk.

Living With an Egg Allergy

Eggs are everywhere. At least, that’s how it can seem when you have an egg allergy and you’re trying to avoid them! What helps is knowing where to look and savvy egg substitutes for cooking.

Eggs and Proteins

Most people with egg allergies are allergic to the egg whites, not the yolk. But to be safe, you shouldn’t eat either the white or the yolk. Even if you separate them, the yolk is likely to have some of the proteins in it. Also avoid:

• Egg powder
• Dried eggs
• Egg solids

Where the Eggs Are

Many foods — from canned soups to root beer — can have eggs in them:

• Baked foods
• Breaded and batter-fried foods
• Caesar salad dressing
• Cream pies, fillings, and puffs
• Crepes and waffles
• Custards, puddings, and ice cream
• Eggnog
• Eggrolls
• Egg substitutes
• Coffee drinks like cappuccino (eggs are sometimes used to help create the foam)
• Fizzes
• Lollipops and other candies
• Marshmallows and marzipan
• Mayonnaise
• Meatloaf and meatballs
• Meringue and frostings
• Pastas
• Sauces, including Hollandaise and tartar sauce
• Simplesse (fat substitute)
• Soufflés
• Soups and consommés
• Wine

Eggs by Other Names

If you see these ingredients on food labels, it means the food may contain egg proteins:

• Albumin
• Globulin
• Lecithin
• Lysozyme
• Ovalbumin
• Ovovitellin

What About Vaccines?

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine contains eggs. In studies, though, it’s been safe for people with egg allergies.

Flu vaccines may also have some egg protein in it. It’s long been advised that people with allergies to eggs should not get the flu shot. However, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says the vaccine contains such a low amount of egg protein that it’s unlikely to cause an allergic reaction in those with an egg allergy. If you have a severe egg allergy (anaphylaxis), talk to your doctor before getting the flu vaccine. Also, a flu vaccine that is not made with the use of eggs is available. The vaccine, called Flublok, is approved for use in those 18 to 49 years old.

The Bottom Line: Read Labels

The only way to know for sure if a food has eggs in it is to read the food label and ingredients list carefully, or ask about menu items at restaurants. If you still aren’t sure, don’t eat the food.

Also check labels of cosmetics, shampoos, creams, and lotions. These can sometimes have eggs in them, too.

Most young children outgrow their egg allergy so careful follow up and monitoring is prudent.

Living With a Wheat Allergy

Avoiding wheat if you or your child is allergic to it can seem like a big challenge. It’s easier if you know where you’re likely to find wheat and what you can eat instead.

Foods With Wheat

These foods have wheat protein:

• Bran
• Bread crumbs
• Bulgur
• Couscous
• Durum, durum flour, and durum wheat
• Einkorn
• Farina
• Farro (also known as emmer)
• Kamut
• Semolina
• Sprouted wheat
• Triticale
• Wheat (bran, germ, gluten, grass, malt, starch)
• Wheat berries
• Wheat flour (all types, including all-purpose, cake, enriched, graham, high protein or high gluten, and pastry)

Foods That May Have Wheat

Check labels when buying food or ask at restaurants whether a dish has wheat or wheat products in it. These foods often do:

• Acker meal
• Ale and beer
• Baking mixes
• Baked goods, including cookies, cakes, and crackers
• Breaded and batter-fried foods
• Cereals
• Hot dogs and processed meats
• Ice cream
• Salad dressing
• Pasta
• Sauces and soups
• Soy sauce
• Surimi (mock crab meat)

Ingredients With Wheat

If you see any of these listed on a label, the food may have wheat in it:

• Gelatinized starch
• Gluten or vital gluten
• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
• Natural flavoring
• Starch, modified starch, modified food starch
• Vegetable gum or starch

4 Wheat Allergy Tips

• Ask your doctor about other grains. When you have a wheat allergy, you may or may not be allergic to some other grains, too. Gluten, one of the wheat proteins that can cause a reaction, is also in barley, rye, and oats. Ask your doctor if they are safe to eat.

• Always check labels. Allergic reactions to wheat can range from stomach upset to asthma-like symptoms to anaphylaxis, which is an emergency. Foods that have wheat must say so on the label. Check them to avoid a reaction.

• Beware of wheat outside the kitchen. Wreaths and garlands may include wheat or wheat products as decorations. Some children’s play dough also has wheat in it. Other non-food items may, too.

• Bake with other flours. If a recipe calls for wheat flour, try rice flour, potato starch flour, corn flour, or soy flour instead. Experiment to find the one that gives you the best texture.

Living With a Nut Allergy

With a peanut or tree nut allergy, even a tiny amount ingested or inhaled could cause an allergic reaction. Some of the places you find nuts, like nut butters and nut breads, are not surprising. Others — like sauces and gravies — may be.

Once you know what to look for, you can check labels carefully before you buy or use a product.

Nuts You May Need to Avoid

If you are allergic to peanuts, you may need to avoid tree nuts like walnuts and almonds. Same goes if you’re allergic to tree nuts — you may need to avoid peanuts. Ask your doctor to be sure. Tree nuts include:

• Almonds
• Brazil nuts
• Cashews
• Chestnuts
• Filberts
• Hazelnuts
• Hickory nuts
• Macadamia nuts
• Pecans
• Pine nuts
• Pistachios
• Walnuts

Common Foods With Nuts

Don’t be surprised to find peanuts or tree nuts in foods like these:

• Baked goods. Cookies, candy, pastries, pie crusts, and others
• Candy. Chocolate candy especially; also nougat and marzipan
• Other sweets. Ice cream, frozen desserts, puddings, and hot chocolate
• Cereals and granola
• Chex mix
• Chili and soups. Peanuts or peanut butter are sometimes used as thickeners.
• Grain breads
• High-energy bars
• Honey
• International foods. Nuts are common in African and Asian cooking (especially Thai and Indian); also in Mexican and Mediterranean foods.
• Mortadella. This Italian ham may include pistachios.
• Meat-free burgers
• Sauces. May include hot sauce, pesto, gravy, mole sauce, glazes, or marinades
• Salads and salad dressing

Common Ingredients With Nuts

Avoid these when cooking and look for them on prepared food labels:

• Nut butters. Almond, cashew, peanut, and others
• Nut pastes. Includes products like marzipan, almond paste, and nougat
• Nut oils. Includes cold-pressed or expressed peanut oil, and others
• Hydrolyzed plant or vegetable protein. These can have peanuts in them.
• Peanut flour
• Nut extracts, like almond extract

4 Tips for Avoiding Nuts

• Beware of cross-contact. Foods that don’t contain peanuts or tree nuts can get contaminated if they are prepared in the same place or using the same equipment. Foods sold in the U.S. must say this on the label. Cross-contamination also occurs in ice cream parlors because of shared scoopers and other equipment, as well as in many ethnic restaurants where a wide variety of ingredients are used.
• Check the label each time you buy a product. Manufacturers sometimes change recipes, and a trigger food may be added to the new one.
• Look for peanuts outside the kitchen. In addition to foods, nuts can be in lotions, shampoos, and pet food. Check labels before you buy or use them.
• Carry an epinephrine autoinjector. Carry two with you at all times and know how to inject it. For some people, an allergic reaction to nuts can quickly become life-threatening, so always be prepared. Brands includeEpiPen, Emerade, Twinject, Adrenaclick, Anapen, Jext, Allerject, and Auvi-Q.

Living With a Fish Allergy

If you’re allergic to one kind of fish, your doctor may have told you to avoid others. Here’s what to look out for.

Surprising Sources of Fish

Foods that may contain anchovies

• Worcestershire sauce
• Barbecue sauces made with Worcestershire
• Caesar salad and Caesar dressing
• Caponata (Sicilian eggplant relish)

Other foods that have fish:

• Caviar and fish roe (fish eggs)
• Artificial fish like surimi, an imitation crabmeat, sometimes used in sushi
• Fish sauce, oils, and gelatin

4 Tips for Avoiding Fish

• Stay out of seafood restaurants. Even if you order the beef, bits of fish from a shared spatula, cooking oil, or grill can get in your food. That kind of cross-contact can happen in any eatery that uses a lot of fish or fish ingredients, including many ethnic restaurants.

• Don’t shop for or cook fish. Let someone else do it. You may get a reaction to touching fish or being in an area where it’s being cooked.

• Ask your doctor if any fish or shellfish is safe to eat. Don’t try out a fish on your own, though. Fish can cause severe allergic reactions.

• Read labels. Other foods — as well as lotions, cosmetics, and medicine — may have fish in them.

Living With a Shellfish Allergy

If you are allergic to one type of shellfish, you may be allergic to others. Use this list to help make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction.

5 Tips to Avoid Hidden Shellfish

• Stay out of seafood restaurants. Even if you order something else, the restaurant may use the same skillet or oil to cook shellfish as other foods.

• Beware of cross contamination. Tell your restaurant server about your shellfish allergy. Ask your server to make sure different utensils and work surfaces are used to make your food.

• Know food ingredients containing shellfish. Fish stock and flavorings like fish sauce (common in Asian dishes) may include fish protein. Some manufacturers add shellfish to imitation shellfish, like mock crabmeat, for flavoring.

• Stay away from shellfish while it is cooking. Some people are sensitive to shellfish protein released into the air when shellfish is being cooked. If you are, avoid steam tables or stove tops when shellfish is cooking.

• Read labels. Shellfish can also be in medicines, cosmetics, creams, and other foods.

Allergies and Sulfite Sensitivity

Sulfites are a group of sulfur-based compounds that may occur naturally or may be added to food as an enhancer and preservative. The FDA estimates that one out of 100 people is sensitive to the compounds. A person can develop sensitivity to sulfites at any time in life, and the trigger for the sensitivity is unknown. For a person who is sensitive to sulfites, a reaction can be mild or life threatening.

In 1986, the FDA banned the use of sulfites on fruits and vegetablesthat are eaten raw, such as lettuce or apples. Regulations also require manufacturers who use sulfites in their processed products to list the compounds on their product labels.

Although sulfites are no longer used on most fresh foods, they still can be found in a variety of cooked and processed foods. They also occur naturally in the process of making wine and beer.

Avoiding foods that contain or are likely to contain sulfites is the only way to prevent a reaction. If you are sensitive to sulfites, be sure to read the labels on all food items. When eating out, ask the chef or server if sulfites are used or added to food before or during preparation.

Examples of foods that may contain sulfites include:

• Baked goods
• Soup mixes
• Jams
• Canned vegetables
• Pickled foods
• Gravies
• Dried fruit
• Potato chips
• Trail mix
• Beer and wine
• Vegetable juices
• Sparkling grape juice
• Apple cider
• Bottled lemon juice and lime juice
• Tea
• Many condiments
• Molasses
• Fresh or frozen shrimp
• Guacamole
• Maraschino cherries
• Dehydrated, pre-cut or peeled potatoes

Sulfite-containing ingredients to look for on food labels include:

• Sulfur dioxide
• Potassium bisulfite or potassium metabisulfite
• Sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, or sodium sulfite

Living With a Soy Allergy

If all you needed to do for a soy allergy was skip the soy sauce and tofu, it would be a breeze! But soybeans are a big part of processed foods too. Keep this soy food cheat sheet handy to protect yourself or your child from an allergic reaction.

Soy Foods to Stay Away From

• Edamame
• Miso
• Natto
• Soy sauce and Shoyu sauce
• Soy fiber, soy flour, soy grits, soy nuts, or soy sprouts
• Soy milk, soy yogurt, soy ice cream, or soy cheese
• Soy protein
• Tamari
• Tempeh
• Textured vegetable protein (TPV)
• Tofu

Foods That May Contain Soy

• Baked goods (breads, cookies, and crackers)
• Canned broth and soup
• Canned tuna and meat
• Cereals
• High-protein energy bars and snacks
• Infant formula
• Low-fat peanut butter
• Processed meats, like deli meats
• Vegetable oil
• Worcestershire sauce

Other Names That May Mean Soy Ingredients

• Glycine max
• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
• Mono-diglyceride
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

3 Tips for Soy Allergies

• Always read labels. In the U.S., “soy” must be listed on the label of foods that have it in it.
• Be careful about eating at Asian restaurants. Even if you order a soy-free dish, you could still be exposed because soy is used so often in Asian cooking.
• Ask your doctor about soy oil and lecithin. Studies show that eating soy oil is safe for most people with soy allergies. Soy lecithin — often used in chocolate candy, peanut butter, and margarine — is also safe for many people. Your allergist can help you figure out if they are safe for you.

Casein Allergy Overview

If a glass of milk or a slice of pizza causes swollen lips, hives, or other significant symptoms, you may have an allergy to casein, a protein in milk. Another milk protein associated with food allergies is whey. Some people are allergic to both casein and whey.

Most people with an allergy to milk have symptoms which appear when they are infants and outgrow them as they get older. However, some people do not outgrow these symptoms and continue to be allergic as adults. It is unusual to develop an allergy to milk proteins later in life. Lactose intolerance can appear later in life with symptoms including bloating, pain, gas, diarrhea or gastroesophageal reflux. Lactose intolerance is not an allergy but an intolerance, where individuals are unable to digest the sugar lactose in milk. But that inability does not result in potentially life threatening reactions. It is important to learn how to recognize and avoid potential allergens.

Milk or Casein Allergy: Cause and Symptoms

A casein allergy occurs when your body’s immune system mistakenly thinks the protein is harmful and inappropriately produces allergic (IgE) antibodies for protection. The interaction between these antibodies and the specific protein triggers the release of body chemicals such as histamine that cause symptoms which may include:

• Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, face, or throat
• Skin reactions such as hives, a rash, or red, itchy skin
• Nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing, or wheezing

The most serious reaction to milk allergy is called anaphylaxis. This is a potentially life threatening reaction that can occur rapidly. Allergy to foods (including casein in milk) is believed to be the leading cause of anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting. People who have asthma in addition to a serious food allergy to an item, such as casein, are at greater risk for worse outcomes if they suffer an exposure and develop an anaphylactic reaction.

Symptoms such as swelling inside your mouth, chest pain, hives or difficulty breathing within minutes of consuming a milk product may mean you are experiencing an anaphylactic reaction and need emergency medical attention.

Milk or Casein Allergy Treatment

If you are diagnosed with a food, or specifically milk or casein, allergy, your doctor may advise you carry injectable of epinephrine with you in case you accidentally eat a food containing casein and have a reaction. Your doctor or pharmacist can show you how to give the epinephrine. You may also want to keep an over-the-counterantihistamine on hand to help alleviate allergy symptoms. In the case of a severe or serious reaction, the antihistamine will not act as rapidly or as effectively as epinephrine. Epinephrine is the same as adrenaline, the chemical your body produces at times of excitement or stress.

If you experience a severe allergic reaction with symptoms of anaphylaxis, give yourself the epinephrine to counteract the reaction until help arrives, then call 911 for emergency help. Because up to one-third of anaphylactic reactions can have a second wave of symptoms several hours following the initial attack, you may need to be observed in a clinic or hospital for four to eight hours after the initial reaction.

Milk or Casein Allergy Prevention

The best treatment for milk/casein allergy is prevention or avoidance. To prevent an allergic reaction to casein, you must follow a casein-freediet, avoiding all foods that contain milk or milk products.

Avoiding milk products involves more than just leaving the cheese off your sandwich. It may also mean leaving off the deli meat if it was cut with the same equipment used to slice the cheese. Even miniscule amounts of casein may be enough to trigger a reaction. In people who are allergic, the level of sensitivity varies from person to person. Some individuals might be able to tolerate small amounts of milk, especially if the milk is baked or cooked in items. However, for most individuals, strict avoidance is best since the amount of milk many not be consistent between products from different manufacturers or even between batches from the same manufacturer.

Giving up milk doesn’t have to mean giving up calcium. Because even people who drink milk often don’t get enough calcium in their diets, many other foods — including juices, cereals, and rice and soy drinks — are now enriched with calcium. Vegetables including kale, spinach, and broccoli are good sources of calcium as well.

Spring Allergies

Spring is the time of year for seasonal allergies. As the trees start to bloom and the pollen is released into the atmosphere, allergy sufferers begin their annual ritual of sniffling and sneezing. Each year, 35 million Americans fall prey to seasonal allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever.

Although there is no magical cure for spring allergies, there are a number of ways to combat them, from medication to household habits.

What causes spring allergies?

The biggest spring allergy trigger is pollen — tiny grains released into the air by trees, grasses, and weeds for the purpose of fertilizing other plants. When pollen grains get into the nose of someone who’s allergic, they send the immune system into overdrive.

The immune system, mistakenly seeing the pollen as foreign invaders, releases antibodies — substances that normally identify and attack bacteria, viruses, and other illness-causing organisms. The antibodies attack the allergens, which leads to the release of chemicals called histamines into the blood. Histamines trigger the runny nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms of allergies.

Pollen can travel for miles, spreading a path of misery for allergy sufferers along the way. The higher the pollen count, the greater the misery. The pollen count measures the amount of allergens in the air in grains per cubic meter. You can find out the daily pollen count in your area by watching your local weather forecast or by visiting the NAB: Pollen & Mold Counts page on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s web site.

Here are some of the biggest spring allergy offenders:

Trees

Alder
Ash
Aspen
Beech
Box elder
Cedar
Cottonwood
Cypress
Elm
Hickory
Juniper
Maple
Mulberry
Oak
Olive
Palm
Pine
Poplar
Sycamore
Willow

Grasses and weeds

Bermuda
Fescue
Johnson
June
Orchard
Perennial rye
Redtop
Saltgrass
Sweet vernal
Timothy

Allergy symptoms tend to be particularly high on breezy days when the wind picks up pollen and carries it through the air. Rainy days, on the other hand, cause a drop in the pollen counts, because the rain washes away the allergens.

What are the symptoms of spring allergies?

The symptoms of spring allergies include:

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy eyes and nose
• Dark circles under the eyes

Airborne allergens also can trigger asthma, a condition in which the airways narrow, making breathing difficult and leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

How are spring allergies diagnosed?

If you’ve never been formally diagnosed with spring allergies but you notice that your eyes and nose are itchy and runny during the spring months, see your doctor. Your doctor may refer you to an allergist for tests.

The allergy specialist may do a skin test, which involves injecting a tiny sample of a diluted allergen just under the skin of your arm or back. If you’re allergic to the substance, a small red bump (called a wheal or hive) will form. Another diagnostic option is the ImmunoCAP assay that measures allergen-specific IgE, a protein that shows up in blood tests in people with allergies.

Just because you are sensitive to a particular allergen on a test, though, doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily start sneezing and coughing when you come into contact with it.

What’s the treatment for spring allergies?

Doctors treat spring allergies with a number of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Over-the-counter allergy drugs are effective for many people and include the following:

• Antihistamines reduce sneezing, sniffling, and itching by lowering the amount of histamine (the substance produced during an allergic reaction) in the body.
• Decongestants clear mucus out of the nasal passageways to relieve congestion and swelling.
• Antihistamine/decongestants combine the effects of both drugs.
• Nasal spray decongestants relieve congestion and may clear clogged nasal passages faster than oral decongestants.
• Steroid nasal sprays reduce inflammation. Only two, Nasacort and Flonase, are currently available over the counter.
• Cromolyn sodium nasal spray can help prevent hay fever by stopping the release of histamine before it can trigger allergy symptoms.
• Eye drops relieve itchy, watery eyes.

Even though you can buy these allergy drugs without a prescription, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor first to make sure you choose the right medication. Some antihistamines can make you feel sleepy, so you need to be careful when taking them during the day (although non-drowsy formulations are also available). Don’t use over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants for more than a few days without talking to your doctor.

What’s the treatment for spring allergies?

If over-the-counter remedies don’t help allergies, your doctor may recommend a prescription medication, allergy shots, or even under-the-tongue immunotherapy tablets. Many steroid nasal sprays are available by prescription also. Allergy shots expose the body to gradually increasing doses of the allergen until you become tolerant of it. Immunotherapy tablets placed under the tongue work the same way. They can relieve your symptoms for a longer period of time than oral and nasal allergy medications. Although they don’t work for everyone, in people who do see a response, allergy shots can stave off symptoms for a few years.

Some allergy sufferers turn to natural therapies for relief, although the research is mixed on their effectiveness:

• Butterbur. The herb butterbur, which comes from a European shrub, shows potential for relieving seasonal allergy symptoms. Some studies have shown butterbur — specifically a butterbur extract called Ze 399 — to be as effective for reducing allergy symptoms as the antihistamines Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec.
• Quercetin. This flavonoid, which is found naturally in onions, apples, and black tea, has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown in research to block histamines.
• Stinging nettle. The roots and leaves of the stinging nettle plant (Urtica dioica) have been used to treat everything from joint pain to prostate problems. Although some people use freeze-dried stinging nettle leaves to treat allergy symptoms, there isn’t much research to show that it works.
• Nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation with a combination of warm water, about a quarter-teaspoon of salt, and a quarter-teaspoon of baking soda may help clear out mucus and open sinus passages. You can administer the solution through a squeeze bottle or a neti pot — a device that looks like a small teapot. Use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution. It’s also important to rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry.

Just because a spring allergy treatment says “natural” doesn’t mean that it is safe. Some herbal remedies can cause side effects or can react with medications you’re taking. Talk to your doctor before you start taking any herb or supplement.

Summer Allergies

Many of the same allergic triggers that can make you feel bad in spring last into summer.

What Causes Summer Allergies?

Like spring, the biggest summer allergy trigger is inhalant allergens. When pollen gets into the noses of certain people, it triggers the runny nose, itchy eyes, and other allergy symptoms.

Higher pollen counts usually mean worse symptoms.

Trees are usually done pollinating by late spring, leaving mostly grasses and weeds to trigger summer allergies.

Allergies vary by the region in which you live. Here are some of the worst summer allergy offenders:

• Weeds
• Ragweed
• Cockleweed
• Pigweed
• Russian thistle
• Sagebrush
• Tumbleweed
• Grasses
• Bermuda
• Blue grasses
• Orchard
• Red Top
• Sweet vernal
• Timothy

One of the most common summer allergy triggers is ragweed. Ragweed can travel for hundreds of miles in the wind. Even if it doesn’t grow where you live, it can make you feel bad if you’re allergic to it.

Summer air pollution can make allergy symptoms worse. One of the most common pollutants is ozone, which is created in the atmosphere by a combination of sunlight, nitrogen oxide, and hydrocarbons from burning fuel. The stronger sunlight and calmer winds during summer can create clouds of ozone around some cities.

Bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and other insects can also cause allergic reactions in some people when they sting. Fire ants are also out in summer. Their bites can also cause life threatening allergic reactions.

Inside, molds love damp areas, including the basement and bathrooms. Their spores get into the air and can cause problems for allergy sufferers.

Dust mites — microscopic insects — peak during summer. They thrive in warm, humid temperatures and nest in beds, fabric, and carpets. Their residue can get into the air, triggering sneezes, wheezes, and runny noses.

What Are the Symptoms of Summer Allergies?

Summer allergy symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy eyes and nose
• Dark circles under the eyes

Allergic reactions to insects usually cause mild symptoms, such as itching and localized swelling. But in a small percentage of people they can lead to a severe allergic reaction, with swelling of the throat or tongue, dizziness, nausea, and shock. This is an emergency and requires immediate medical help.

How Are Summer Allergies Diagnosed?

Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and your allergy history. He may suggest allergy treatments. In some cases, he may refer you to an allergy specialist who may do a skin test, which exposes the skin of your arm or back to a tiny sample of allergen. If you’re allergic to a substance, a small red bump will form. A blood test can also diagnose allergies.

How Are Summer Allergies Treated?

Over-the-counter allergy treatments include:

• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Nasal spray decongestants (They shouldn’t be used more than three days.)
• Corticosteroid nasal sprays (Nasacort and Flonase)
• Cromolyn sodium nasal spray
• Eye drops
• Nasal irrigation

If over-the-counter remedies don’t help, your doctor may recommend a prescription medication:

• Corticosteroid nasal sprays
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) such as Singulair
• Atrovent (ipratropium bromide) nasal spray
• Immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or oral tablets or drops

To treat insect stings or bites:

• For a severe allergic reaction, use an epinephrine injection kit (called SIE or self-injectable epinephrine) if you have it, and call 911 immediately. Always carry two doses with you if you’re at risk for a severe allergic reaction.
• For local reactions, apply ice to the bite area to reduce swelling. For stings you should remove the stinger.
• Try a pain reliever, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil, Motrin (ibuprofen).
• Use a topical cream, such as hydrocortisone, to ease pain and itching. Calamine creams also help with itching.
• Use oral antihistamines (Allegra, Benadryl, Claritin, or Zyrtec) for itching.

How to Deal With Summer Allergies

Here are tips to help you avoid summer allergy triggers.

• Try to stay indoors whenever the pollen count and smog is high.
• Keep your doors and windows closed and air condition on whenever possible to keep allergens out. Use an air purifier.
• Clean air filters in your home often. Clean bookshelves, vents, and other places where pollen can collect.
• Wash bedding and rugs in hot water to eliminate dust mites and other allergens.
• Wash your hair, shower, and change clothing after going outside to wash away pollen.
• Vacuum often. Wear a mask, because vacuuming can kick up pollen, mold, and dust trapped in your carpet. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• Wear a mask when you mow your lawn to avoid grass pollen.
• Keep the humidity in your house between 30% and 50% to prevent the growth of dust mites.

Fall Allergies

It’s fall, and the blooms of summer have faded. So how come you’re still sneezing? Fall allergy triggers are different, but they can cause just as many symptoms as you have in spring and summer.

What Causes Fall Allergies?

Ragweed is the biggest allergy trigger in the fall. Though the weed usually starts releasing pollen with cool nights and warm days in August, it can last into September and October. About three-quarters of people who are allergic to spring plants are also allergic to ragweed.

Ragweed pollen loves to get around. Even if it doesn’t grow where you live, it can still travel for hundreds of miles on the wind. For some people who are allergic to ragweed, foods like bananas, melon, zucchini, and certain other fruits and vegetables can also cause symptoms.

Mold is another fall trigger. You may think of mold growing in your basement or bathroom – damp areas in the house – but mold spores also love wet spots outside. Piles of damp leaves are ideal breeding grounds for mold.

Don’t forget dust mites. While they are common during the humid summer months, they can get stirred into the air the first time you turn on your heat in the fall. Dust mites can trigger sneezes, wheezes, and runny noses.

Going back to school can also trigger allergies in kids because mold and dust mites are common in schools.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy eyes and nose
• Dark circles under the eyes

How Are Fall Allergies Diagnosed?

Your doctor or allergist can help find out exactly what’s causing your watery, itchy eyes and runny nose. He’ll talk to you about your medical history and symptoms, and may recommend a skin test.

With a skin test, the doctor places a tiny amount of the allergen on your skin — usually on your back or forearm — and then pricks or scratches the skin underneath. If you’re allergic to it, you’ll get a small, raised bump that itches like a mosquito bite.

Sometimes a blood test may be used to diagnose allergies.

How Can I Treat My Allergies?

There are many medications you can use:

• Steroid nasal sprays – reduce inflammation in your nose
• Antihistamines – help stop sneezing, sniffling, and itching
• Decongestants – help relieve stuffiness and dry up the  mucus in of your nose
• Antihistamine eye drops
• Immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or oral tablets or drops

You can buy some allergy medications without a prescription, but it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor to make sure you choose the right one. Decongestant nasal sprays, for example, should only be used for three days. If you use them longer, you may actually get more congested. And if you have high blood pressure, some allergy drugs may not be right for you.

Tips to Manage Symptoms

• Stay indoors with the doors and windows closed when pollen is at its peak (usually in the late morning or midday). Check pollen counts in your area.
• Before you turn on your heat for the first time, clean your heating vents and change the filter. Bits of mold and other allergens can get trapped in the vents over the summer and will fill the air as soon as you start the furnace.
• Use a HEPA filter in your heating system to remove pollen, mold, and other particles from the air.
• Use a dehumidifier if you need to, to keep your air at between 35% and 50% humidity.
• Wear a mask when you rake leaves so you don’t breathe in mold spores.

Winter Allergies

If you have pollen allergies, you may get a break when the weather gets cold. But if you have indoor allergies — such as mold and dust mites — spending more time indoors during the winter months may affect your allergy symptoms.

What causes winter allergies?

When it gets cold and your furnace kicks on, it sends dust, mold spores, and insect parts into the air. They can get into your nose and can trigger a reaction.

Some common indoor allergy triggers are:

• Dust mites. These microscopic bugs flourish in mattresses and bedding. When their droppings and remains become airborne, they can cause allergy symptoms.
• Mold. This fungus thrives in damp, humid areas such as basements and bathrooms. When mold spores get into the air, they can trigger allergy symptoms.
• Animals. Most people are not allergic to animal fur, but rather to a protein found in the pet dander, saliva, and urine.

What are the symptoms of winter allergies?

Allergy symptoms caused by dust, pollen, or mold include:

• Coughing
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Itchy eyes and nose
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes

How can you tell whether your symptoms are from a cold or flu or allergies? A cold usually doesn’t last for more than 10 days. Allergies can linger for weeks or even months. Also, colds and flu sometimes have a fever and aches and pains — symptoms that don’t usually come with allergies.

How are winter allergies diagnosed?

If your symptoms last more than a week, see your doctor. He may refer you to an allergist who will ask about your health history and symptoms.

The allergist may do a skin test where he scratches your skin with a tiny bit of an allergen or injects it just under your skin. If the area turns red and itchy, you’re allergic. There’s also a blood test to diagnose some allergies.

What are the treatments for winter allergies?

Treatments for winter allergies include:

• Antihistamines reduce sneezing, sniffling, and itching.
• Decongestants clear mucus to relieve congestion and swelling.
• Allergy shots expose your body to gradually increasing doses of the allergen. They can reduce your symptoms for a longer period of time than allergy drugs.

How can I prevent winter allergies?

Here are tips for controlling your allergy symptoms:

• Throw out shower curtains, wallpaper, or carpeting that have mold. Wash showers and sinks with a solution containing 5% bleach and a little detergent.
• To help control dust mites and mold, use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity in your home below 50%.
• Use a HEPA air filter to clean dust from the air.
• Wash bedding in hot water (130 F) each week. Use allergy-proof covers on mattresses, pillows, and comforters.
• If someone in your household is allergic to pet dander, consider getting a non-furry pet, such as fish or a lizard. If you already have a cat or dog, don’t let the pet sleep in your bedroom, and give it a bath at least once a week.

Here are tips to make the holidays easier if you have winter allergies:

• Consider buying an artificial tree. Live trees can harbor chemicals and mold, which can trigger allergic reactions.
• Wash dust off of ornaments before hanging them on the tree. Buy glass or plastic ornaments rather than fabric, which can collect more dust.
• If you have a pet allergy and your relatives have cats or dogs, make sure to take your allergy medication with you and get your allergy shots beforehand.
• Bring your own pillow when traveling.

For a person with dog allergies, life in a dog-loving country isn’t easy. In 2012, 36.5% of U.S. households had a dog. Dog dander gets everywhere, including places where dogs have never set a paw. According to the National Institutes of Health, detectable levels of pet dander are in every home in the U.S.

So, how can you get through life with an allergy to man’s best friend? Here’s a rundown of the causes and treatments of dog allergies, along with tips on reducing exposure.

Symptoms of Dog Allergies

The symptoms of dog allergies are usually like those of any other nasal allergy. They include:

• coughing and wheezing
• red, itchy eyes
• runny, itchy, stuffy nose
• sneezing

Some people with dog allergies also have skin reactions. For instance, their skin might break out where a dog licks them. Others with more severe allergies might develop hives on their face or chest. People withasthma as well as pet allergies can have especially serious symptoms.

Causes of Dog Allergies

You may have heard that some dog breeds trigger allergy symptomswhile others don’t, or that short-haired dogs are safe while long-haired dogs prone to shedding are not. But on the whole, experts say that isn’t the case. In fact, two dogs of the same breed can each give off very different levels of allergen.

It’s not the dog’s hair or fur that’s the real problem. Instead, people are usually allergic to the dander — flakes of dead skin — as well as the saliva and urine. So, no matter how long or short the hair, any dog can potentially cause an allergic reaction.

You might wonder why dog dander has such an effect on you. People with allergies have oversensitive immune systems. Their bodies overreact to harmless substances — like dog dander — and attack it as they would bacteria or viruses. The sneezing and watery eyes are just the side effects of the body’s attempt to destroy or flush out the allergen.

Testing for Dog Allergies

Your doctor can do either a skin test or a blood test that will detect allergen-specific iGe (Immunoglobulin E) to find out if you have dog allergies. Even if you’re pretty certain that you’re allergic, testing is always a good idea. Some people who assume that they have dog allergies turn out not to have them. Instead, they’re allergic to the pollen or mold that the dog is carrying in on its coat from outside.

While allergy tests are helpful, they’re not always conclusive. So if you own a dog, your doctor might want you to try living without it for a while to see how you do. To get a good sense of your symptoms, it might take some extended time apart. It often takes months before the level of dander in the house drops down to a level resembling that of a house without a dog.

Treating Dog Allergies

Dog allergies can be treated with standard allergy drugs. Your doctor might recommend:

• Antihistamines, which block the effects of a chemical that triggers dog allergy symptoms; they’re sold over the counter — like Allegra, Claritin, Benadryl, or Zyrtec — or by prescription. Some antihistamines such as Astelin are available as nasal sprays.
• Decongestants, which reduce swelling in the nose and relieve congestion; examples are over-the-counter Sudafed and Allegra-D.
• Other drugs, which affect allergy or asthma symptoms in different ways; prescription steroids — such as Flonase or Nasonex sprays — are a common treatment for allergies. Both Flonase and Nasonex are available over the counter and by prescription.

Allergy shots are another option for people with dog allergies. They don’t work for everyone, and a full course of treatment can take years. But they can really help some people with pet allergies. Talk about the pros and cons with your doctor.

Your Environment and Dog Allergies

Most allergists agree that although medication may help, the best way to control dog allergies is to avoid contact with dogs. Here are some tips:

• Keep your distance. Don’t touch, pet, or kiss a dog. As best you can, avoid going to homes with dogs. If you have to stay in a house with a dog, ask if it can be kept out of the room in which you’ll sleep for a few weeks beforehand.
• Use your medicine. If you know that you’ll be coming into contact with a dog soon, start taking your medicine a few weeks ahead of time. By taking medication preventatively, you can stop an allergic reaction before it starts.
• Be wary of visitors who own dogs. Dog dander can cling to clothing and luggage. So even if your house guests leave their dogs at home, they can bring the dander with them — and that can cause you a lot of trouble.

Of course, some of the above advice won’t help that much if you already have a dog in your home. Even then, there are still things you can do:

• Clean fanatically. Dog dander can get everywhere. So you need to sweep and mop the floors, vacuum rugs, and clean furniture regularly. If possible, get a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Regular vacuum filters can’t catch the allergens and just send them back into the air.
• Make your home easier to clean. Pull up the carpet. Get rid of the rugs and drapes. Ditch the dusty, overstuffed furniture. Reducing the number of items that can catch dust and dander can help with your dog allergy symptoms.
• Filter the air. Central heat and air conditioning can push dog dander into every room in your house — even those that the dog isn’t allowed in. A central air cleaner — as well as filters on the vents themselves — can help.
• Keep the dog out of your bedroom. Since you spend a third of every day in the bedroom, it’s key to keep it as free of dog dander as possible. A closed door won’t completely seal out the allergens, but it will help.
• Don’t give the dog free rein. Protect yourself by making other areas of the house dog-free too. Depending on the climate and surroundings, you can also consider keeping the dog outside as much as possible.

Your Environment and Dog Allergies continued…

Will bathing your dog have any effect on allergy symptoms? Experts aren’t sure; some studies have shown that baths reduce the amount of airborne dander, while others haven’t found a difference. You can certainly try out weekly baths and see what happens. Just make sure that someone without dog allergies is doing the actual bathing.

You may find that these techniques help your dog allergies. But if they don’t, you have to consider more drastic measures — like giving up the dog. It’s hard to do, but you have to think realistically. It’s unfair to people with dog allergies if they can’t be in their own homes without enduring a runny nose and relentless sneezing fits. Uncontrolled allergies can also contribute to asthma, which is a serious disease.

So if you or a family member has dog allergies, talk to a doctor. Getting control of symptoms will not only make you feel better, but it will help protect you from becoming sicker.

Life with cat allergies — whether they’re yours or a family member’s — can raise a lot of questions. Could a cat allergy explain your son’s never-ending cold symptoms? Will you regret giving in to your daughter’s demands for a kitten, despite your allergies? Will a so-called hypoallergenic cat allow you to have the pet you’ve always wanted without making you a sneezing, sniffling mess?

Read on to learn what you need to know about cat allergies, from causes to treatments to avoidance.

What Causes Cat Allergies?

About 10% of the U.S. population has pet allergies and cats are among the most common culprits. Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies. But contrary to what you might think, it’s not the fur or hair that’s the real problem. People with cat allergies are really allergic to proteins in the cat’s saliva, urine, and dander (dried flakes of skin).

How do these tiny proteins cause such a big allergic reaction in the body? People with allergies have oversensitive immune systems. Their bodies mistake harmless things — like cat dander — for dangerous invaders, and attack them as they would bacteria or viruses. The symptoms of the allergy are the side effects of your body’s assault on the allergen, or trigger.

Keep in mind that even if you don’t have an actual cat allergy, your cat can still indirectly cause your allergies to flare up. Outside cats can bring in pollen, mold, and other allergens on their fur.

And what about so-called “hypoallergenic” cats? While some breeds — like the “hairless” sphinx — are said to be less likely to trigger symptoms of cat allergies than others, any cat has the potential to cause problems. This is true regardless of its breed, hair length, or how much it sheds. So if you know that you or another family member is allergic to cats, getting one — no matter what the breed — is not a good idea.

What Are the Symptoms of Cat Allergies?

Symptoms of cat allergies can include:

• coughing and wheezing
• hives or a rash on the chest and face
• red, itchy eyes
• redness of the skin where a cat has scratched, bitten, or licked you
• runny, itchy, stuffy nose
• sneezing

Symptoms of a cat allergy might develop in just a few minutes or take hours to appear. About 20% to 30% of people with allergic asthma have severe flare-ups after coming in contact with a cat.

How Do I Know if I Have a Cat Allergy?

Although the symptoms of a cat allergy may seem fairly obvious, it’s not always the cat that causes them. It’s a good idea to get confirmation from your doctor. After all, you wouldn’t want to blame Mr. Whiskers unjustly.

Your doctor can do a skin or blood test to see if you’re allergic. However, allergy tests aren’t always correct; the doctor may also want you to try living without a cat for a few months to see how it affects your allergy symptoms.

How Are Cat Allergies Treated?

Cat allergies can usually be controlled with standard allergy drugs. Your doctor might recommend:

• Antihistamines, which are available over-the-counter — like Claritin, Allegra, Benadryl, or Zyrtec; some antihistamines such as Astelin come in a nasal spray.
• Decongestants, like over-the-counter Sudafed or Allegra-D
• Other drugs, which affect allergy or asthma symptoms in various ways. Prescription steroids — like Flonase or Nasonex sprays — are a common treatment for allergies. Both Flonase and Nasonex are available by prescription or over the counter.

Allergy shots are another option. Allergy shots are not always effective, and completing treatment can take years. They’re also not safe for children under age 5. But they can be a huge help to some people. Ask your doctor if they make sense for you.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent an allergy. Some studies have shown that exposure to pets as a young child seems to reduce the risk of developing pet allergies later. On the other hand, a child who already has allergic tendencies may get worse with exposure to a pet.

Reducing Exposure to Cats

While medical treatment can help control cat allergies, the best approach is simple: avoid cats and their dander. Here are some tips.

• Don’t touch, hug, or kiss cats. It should be obvious, but some people think a little cat contact is OK. It isn’t.
• Beware of visitors who own cats. Even if your house guests leave their cats at home, they can bring the dander with them on their clothing and luggage. This indirect exposure can cause serious cat allergy symptoms in some people.
• Plan. If you have to stay in a house with cats, ask that the cat be kept out of the room in which you will sleep for a few weeks before you arrive. Also, start taking allergy medication a few weeks beforehand. Once an allergic reaction gets started, it can be tough to control. But taking medicine can prevent it from happening in the first place.

Reducing Exposure to Cats continued…

But what if you already own a cat? Here’s the most sensible advice: if you or a family member has cat allergies, you shouldn’t have a cat in the home.

Of course, such harsh advice may not be easy to follow. What if your kids have already fallen in love with a kitten? What if your intended will never, ever part with her cat? If the cat has to stay, there are other things you can try.

• Keep your distance. Limit exposure to the cat. Certainly, another family member should take responsibility for the cat’s care and do things like cleaning the litter box.
• Restrict the cat to certain sections of the house. Don’t allow your cat to roam free. Keep the cat out of your bedroom at all times.
• Keep the cat outdoors as much as possible. That’s how some people get around their cat allergies. However, make sure your cat is safe outside.
• Clean rigorously and often. Cat dander gets everywhere. So you need to sweep and mop the floors, vacuum the rugs, and clean furniture regularly. Make sure to get a vacuum with a HEPA filter, because regular filters may not be fine enough to catch allergens. Get rid of carpets and drapes that can trap dander.
• Clear the air. A central air cleaner — as well as filters on the vents themselves — can help prevent cat dander from circulating through the house.
• Consider bathing your cat on a regular basis. Experts aren’t certain if bathing really helps reduce the amount of allergen. But if it doesn’t traumatize the cat too badly, you could try it and see if it reduces symptoms.

While these techniques might help, they may not be enough. As hard as it might be, if keeping your cat is putting your health — or a family member’s health — at risk, you have to consider giving it up.

Whatever you do, don’t assume that you can just wait it out, that cat allergies will naturally get better over time. They might very well get worse. Out-of-control allergies can do more than make life miserable — they can increase the risk of asthma, which is a serious disease.

So don’t ignore the signs of cat allergies. Instead, see a doctor. Together, you can figure out the best way to tackle the problem.

What is penicillin allergy?

A penicillinallergy is an allergic reaction that occurs when your body’s immune system overreacts to penicillin antibiotics.

What are the symptoms of penicillin allergy?

Common allergic reactions to penicillin include rashes, hives, itchyeyes, and swollen lips, tongue, or face.

In rare cases, an allergy to penicillin can cause an anaphylacticreaction, which can be deadly. This type of reaction usually happens within an hour after you take penicillin. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, hives, wheezing, dizziness, loss of consciousness, rapid or weak pulse, skin turning blue, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. If you think you are having an anaphylactic reaction, call 999 immediately.

What makes you more likely to have a severe allergic reaction to penicillin?

Severe allergic reactions to penicillin can be dangerous and life-threatening. You may be more likely to have this type of reaction if you have had:

• A positive skin test for penicillin allergy.
• Hives that appeared quickly after you took the penicillin.
• A previous anaphylactic reaction to penicillin.

If any of these apply to you, you should receive another antibiotic or undergo desensitization therapy. In this type of therapy under your doctor’s supervision, you start taking small amounts of the penicillin and gradually increase how much you take. This lets your immune system “get used to” the medicine, and you may no longer have anallergic reaction. Desensitization may have to be repeated if you have to use the antibiotic again in the future (desensitization doesn’t last long).

You are not likely to have an anaphylactic reaction to penicillin if you have had a rash that looks like measles that appeared from a few hours to days after you took penicillin.

Is penicillin allergy common?

Penicillin antibiotics are the most common cause of drug allergies. Some people who are allergic to penicillin are also allergic to other closely related antibiotics, including cephalosporins, such as cefprozil,cefuroxime, and cephalexin. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about theseantibiotics.

Many people who believe that they have an allergy to penicillin do not. They currently may be less sensitive to penicillin than they were in the past. Or they may have had an adverse reaction, such as a side effect, rather than an allergic reaction. A skin test is the best way to find out whether you have a penicillin allergy.

How is an allergic reaction to penicillin treated?

If you use penicillin and then get hives and have trouble breathing or have other symptoms of anaphylaxis, call911or other emergency services immediately.

For emergency treatment, people typically get an epinephrine shot. If symptoms do not go away, you may need more shots. You may also have antihistamines and corticosteroids put directly into a vein (intravenously).

If you have a mild allergic reaction, you may control your symptoms with antihistamines that you can buy without a prescription. But you may need prescription medicine if those over-the-counter medicines don’t help or if they cause bothersome side effects, such as drowsiness. If you have had a previous serious reaction to penicillin, you should carry and know how to use an epinephrine shot. Let your doctor know about any medicine reaction right away.

If you need an antibiotic, your doctor will find another type for you.

That moisturizer your friends swear by? Left your face red and scaly. The cleaner you’ve been using for years to make your bathroom sparkle? Made your hands itch and burn. For some people, the chemicals in shampoos, cosmetics, and detergents can trigger allergic skin reactions.

Causes of Chemical Allergies

Allergic skin reactions – what your doctor calls allergic contact dermatitis — happen when your immune system overreacts to chemicals that are normally harmless. These chemicals can be in products that you are exposed to over and over, like cleaners, colognes, hair dyes, and personal care items.

Even if you’ve used these products before, you can still have a reaction.

Cosmetics and personal care products have a lot of potential allergens, things you could be allergic to:

• Fragrances in soaps, colognes, deodorants, body creams, cosmetics, detergents, and tissues
• Preservatives and antibacterials, added to many liquids to keep them from becoming rancid or contaminated
• Substances added to thicken, color, or lubricate a product
• Chemicals in permanent hair dyes and other hair products
• Formaldehyde resin, an ingredient in many nail care products
• Sunscreens, often found in cosmetic moisturizers, lip balms, and foundations

Symptoms of Chemical Allergies

Your skin is one of the first places where allergy symptoms can show up. They often appear 24 to 48 hours later, but can start as late as a week after exposure. Each person may have different chemical allergy symptoms. Some of the most common are:

• Red skin
• Scaly patches
• Blisters that ooze
• Burning or itching, which may be intense
• Swelling of the eyes, face, and genital area
• Hives
• Sun sensitivity
• Darkened, “leathery,” and cracked skin

The worst of the reaction tends to be where you touched the thing you’re allergic to. If you get the allergen on your finger and then touch another part of your body, like your face or neck, you can set off an allergic reaction there.

Because the symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis can be similar to other conditions, you should see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

Diagnosing Chemical Allergies

Often your doctor may be able to diagnose your allergy by doing a physical exam and asking you about your symptoms.

continued…

Sometimes your doctor may suggest you see an allergist for a skin test, also called a patch test. The allergist places small samples of chemicals on your back and checks to see if you develop a rash.

Keeping track of your symptoms helps your doctor make a diagnosis. You should include details such as:

• What you were doing in the 24 to 48 hours before your outbreak
• Any products you were using before the outbreak
• How much of the product you were using and how often
• Where the product touched your skin (even places with no symptoms)
• Symptoms you have or had
• Any previous skin reactions

Treatment for Chemical Allergies

You’ll want to identify and avoid the chemical that may have caused your allergic reaction. If you do come into contact with it, wash your skin with soap and water as soon as possible. If you have the allergen on your hands, don’t touch other parts of your body until you have washed your hands.

If you use nail care products, make sure the product has dried before touching your skin. It may help to take off and wash any clothes or jewelry that might have come in contact with the irritating chemical.

If you have a mild reaction, you can sometimes treat symptoms yourself with over-the-counter medications such as calamine lotion, antihistamines, or cortisone ointments.

If you have frequent or severe outbreaks, see your doctor. He can help you identify what’s causing the problems and give you prescription medications if you need them.

For creatures you can’t even see, dust mites can stir up a lot of trouble. About 20 million Americans are allergic to these little bugs. When you’re one of these people, you may feel as if you have an endless cold or even asthma.

Medication can help, and you can also take simple steps to keep the dust mites away.

Symptoms to Watch For

Dust allergy symptoms are similar to those of pollen allergies:

• Red, itchy, watery eyes
• Runny, itchy, stuffy nose
• Sneezing

‘The Dirt’ on Dust Mites

To get rid of these tiny creatures in your home, keep in mind their living habits. They prefer temperatures of 70 F or higher and humidity of 75% to 80%. They can’t survive in colder, drier places.

In the U.S., dust mite allergies peak in July and August, when dust mite populations are high because of warm weather.

Dust mites like to eat dead skin from pets and humans. You probably shed enough skin a day to feed a million dust mites. Flakes of dead skin in carpeting, beds, and furniture are like tasty snacks for them.

What Causes Dust Allergies?

It sounds nasty, but it’s true: One piece of dust can contain pet dander, pieces of dead cockroaches, and mold spores, along with dead skin and dust mites.

Both cockroaches and pet dander are common allergy triggers, too. Cockroach waste, saliva, and body parts are a problem in some homes, particularly in the southern U.S.

How Can I Prevent Symptoms?

The best strategy is to limit your exposure to dust.

Start in the bedroom, where you probably spend the most time. Large numbers of dust mites can gather in mattresses, bedding, and upholstered furniture.

Wear a mask while cleaning, too.

Bedroom Dust-Busting Tips

Put airtight, plastic dust-mite covers on pillows, mattresses, and box springs.

Use pillows filled with polyester fibers instead of kapok or feathers.

Wash bedding in very hot water (over 130 F) once a week. The water needs to be this hot to kill dust mites. Dry the bedding in a hot dryer.

How Can I Prevent Symptoms? continued…

If your bedroom is in a basement with a concrete floor, move upstairs if you can. Concrete stays damp and creates the moist, humid environment dust mites love.

Around the House

Clean bare floors often with a damp mop or cloth.

Vacuum carpets once or twice a week. Use a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. If your dust allergy is severe, ask your doctor if replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood or vinyl floors would help.

Wash throw rugs in hot water.

Vacuum upholstered furniture such as sofas. Wood, leather, plaster, or metal furniture is better for dust allergies.

Replace drapes with roll-up window shades. If you must have curtains, wash them in hot water each season.

Get rid of stuffed animals, soft toys, and other dust collectors.

Keep Air Clean and Dry

Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to lower humidity.

Put a HEPA filter with a MERV rating of 11 or 12 in your heating and air-conditioning unit. You can find the rating listed on the packaging. Change the filter every 3 months.

Keep humidity in your home below 55%. Use a hygrometer to measure it. You can get one at hardware and building supply stores.

How Are Dust Allergies Treated?

Over-the-counter or prescription allergy drugs can help control your symptoms.

• Antihistamines relieve itching, sneezing, and watery eyes.
• Decongestants ease or unclog a stuffy nose.
• Nasal steroids reduce swelling in your nose so you can breathe better.

You might be able to get allergy shots (immunotherapy). They treat allergies over a longer time. Ask your doctor if they make sense for you.

Many drugs can cause adverse side effects and certain medicines can trigger allergies. In an allergic reaction, the immune system mistakenly responds to a drug by creating an immune response against it. The immune system recognizes the drug as a foreign substance and the body produces certain chemicals, such as large amounts of histamine, in an attempt to expel the drug from the body.

What Are the Symptoms of a Drug Allergy?

Symptoms of a drug allergy can range from mild to life-threatening. Even in people who aren’t allergic, many drugs can cause irritation, such as an upset stomach. But during an allergic reaction, the release of histamine can cause symptoms like hives, skin rash, itchy skin or eyes, congestion, and swelling in the mouth and throat.

A more severe reaction may include difficulty breathing, blueness of the skin, dizziness, fainting, anxiety, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal problems.

What Are Some Common Drug Allergies?

The most common drug allergy is penicillin. Other antibiotics similar to penicillin can also trigger allergic reactions.

Other drugs commonly found to cause reactions include sulfa drugs, barbiturates, anticonvulsants, insulin, and iodine (found in many X-ray contrast dyes).

How Are Drug Allergies Diagnosed?

A doctor diagnoses a drug allergy by carefully reviewing your medical history and symptoms. If your doctor suspects that you are allergic to an antibiotic such as penicillin, he or she may do a skin test to confirm it. However, skin testing does not work for all drugs and, in some cases, it could be dangerous. If you have had a severe, life-threatening reaction to a particular drug, your doctor will simply rule out that drug as a treatment option. Conducting an allergy test to determine if the initial reaction was a “true” allergic response isn’t worth the risk.

What Is the Treatment for Drug Allergies?

The primary goal when treating drug allergies is symptom relief. Allergy symptoms such as rash, hives, and itching can often be controlled with antihistamines and, occasionally, corticosteroids.

Occasionally, desensitization is used for drug allergies. This technique decreases the body’s sensitivity to particular allergy-causing agents. Tiny amounts of the drug are given orally or by IV – on occasion, by injection – in increasingly larger amounts until your immune system learns to tolerate the drug.

If you are severely allergic to certain antibiotics, there are alternative antibiotics your doctor can prescribe.

How Can I Be Prepared if I Have a Drug Allergy?

If you have a drug allergy, always inform your health care provider before undergoing any type of treatment, including dental care. It is also a good idea to wear a MedicAlert bracelet or pendant, or carry a card that identifies your drug allergy. In cases of emergency, it could save your life.

Salicylates are chemicals found naturally in plants and are a major ingredient in aspirin and other pain-relieving medications. They are also found in many fruits and vegetables, as well as in many common health and beauty products.

What Are the Symptoms of a Salicylate Allergy?

The degree of reaction to salicylates can vary based on multiple factors. Typically, the content of salicylates can vary from one item to another and even among batches of the same item from the same source. Additionally, the degree of salicylate sensitivity can vary from person to person. People with  a low salicylate tolerance may have an allergic reaction if more than a small amount of salicylate is consumed. Symptoms of a salicylate allergy vary but may include:

• Asthma-like symptoms, such as trouble breathing and wheezing
• Headaches
• Nasal congestion
• Changes in skin color
• Itching, skin rash, or hives
• Swelling of the hands, feet, and face
• Stomach pain

In severe cases, a salicylate allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction involving a severe drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and organ system failure. Avoiding products that contain salicylates is the best defense against an allergic reaction.

Salicylates can be found in a variety of foods, medications, and cosmetics. Some examples of salicylate-containing substances include:

If earrings make your earlobes itch or your necklace leaves a rasharound your neck, you may have a nickel allergy. It’s one of the most common skin allergies, in part because nickel is used in everything from jewelry to cell phones, coins, zippers, and eyeglass frames.

Symptoms of Nickel Allergy

You’ll usually see symptoms 6 to 24 hours after you’re exposed. They include itching, redness, rash, dry patches, and swelling of the skin, sometimes followed by blisters. The blisters may break, leaving crusts and scales.

If left untreated, your skin may become dark, leathery, and cracked. Usually, the rash is only on the part of your skin in direct contact with the nickel. In serious cases, the rash may spread. Sweating may make it worse.

Test and Treatments

Often, your doctor can diagnose a nickel allergy by looking at your skin and asking if you’ve touched anything metal. A dermatologist also can do a simple skin patch test. The doctor puts tiny amounts of nickel and other allergens on patches, which are applied to your upper back. The patches must stay on for 48 hours. If you are allergic to nickel, your skin will likely show a reaction after 48 hours. In some cases, you’ll need more tests.

Once a nickel allergy develops, it often lasts your whole life. But there are ways to ease your symptoms. The most important thing you can do is avoid contact with objects that can cause a reaction. For mild symptoms, a hydrocortisone cream and antihistamine pills you can buy at the drug store may help.

For more severe symptoms, you doctor may prescribe a steroid cream, and steroid or antihistamine pills.

If your skin is cracked or blistered, you should take off any metal jewelry right away and see your doctor for treatment to prevent infection.

Here are tips to avoid a nickel allergy:

• If you have your ears or other body parts pierced or tattooed, have it done with sterile, surgical-grade stainless steel instruments. It’s a good idea to avoid piercing guns, as they may contain nickel and can cause bacterial infections.
• Make sure your jewelry is made of surgical-grade stainless steel or either 14-, 18- or 24-karat yellow gold. White gold may contain nickel. Other nickel-free metals include pure sterling silver, copper, platinum, and titanium. Polycarbonate plastic is okay. If you must wear earrings that contain nickel, add plastic covers made specifically for earring studs.
• Buy eyeglass frames that are nickel-free, made instead of titanium or plastic.
• Buy clothes, including bras and other underthings, with buttons, snaps, rivets, or fasteners that are made of plastic or are plastic-coated or painted metal. If your clothes have nickel items, switch to plastic or plastic coated.
• Wear watchbands made of leather, cloth, or plastic.
• If a good piece of jewelry that you wear daily — such as a wedding ring — causes a reaction, ask a jeweler about having it plated in a less allergic metal, such as platinum.
• If you are extremely sensitive to nickel, you may also need to avoid nickel-rich foods such as fish and chocolate.

Skin Reactions to Beauty Products

Beauty products — everything from shampoo to makeup to cologne — can help you feel on top of your game. They can also cause irritated skin or an allergic reaction. In one FDA survey, up to 25% of people said they had a skin reaction to at least one beauty product.

Problems can range from simple rashes to full-blown allergic reactions. Symptoms can start right after you use something new — or after years of using a product with no problems.

There are two types of skin reactions to beauty products. One, called irritant contact dermatitis, happens when something actually damages your skin. Your skin might burn, sting, itch, or get red right where you used the product. You might get blisters and have oozing, especially if you scratch.

The other kind of reaction actually involves your immune system. It’s called allergic contact dermatitis and symptoms include redness, swelling, itching, and hives. Your skin can get red and raw. You can get an allergic reaction on any part of your body, although it happens most often on the face, lips, eyes, ears, and neck.

It can be hard to tell the two types of reactions apart. You can even have a reaction that’s a combination of the two.

Fragrances and preservatives are often to blame. Even products that say they are “unscented” can have a fragrance used to cover up chemical scents. You may not smell it, but it’s there, and may cause anallergic reaction.

To be sure there’s no perfume, look for products marked “fragrance-free” or “without perfume.”

Almost any product that has water must have some preservatives. The most common are parabens, imidazolidinyl urea, Quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, phenoxyethanol, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and formaldehyde. All have been linked to skin allergies.

Beauty Products to Watch for

The beauty products most likely to cause skin reactions include bath soaps, detergents, antiperspirants, eye makeup, moisturizers, shampoos, long-wearing lip stains, nail polish (especially those that have formaldehyde), and fingernail glue containing methcrylate.

Hair dyes can also cause skin reactions, especially those containing p-phenylenediamine as well as ammonium persulfate used to lighten hair.

Beauty Products to Watch …

Beauty products that have alpha-hydroxy acids can cause problems for some people, like redness, swelling, blisters, and itching — especially with products that have an AHA level over 10%.

Retin-A wrinkle creams and serums can also cause irritant contact dermatitis in some people.

Many people have “sunscreen sensitivity.” For them, almost all sun-protection products can cause a dermatitis-type reaction. If this is the case for you, talk to a dermatologist about how to best protect your skin from the sun.

Treatments for Skin Reactions

The most important thing is to stop using whatever’s causing the reaction right away. This may be enough to fix the problem. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can also help ease inflammation. Don’t apply a hydrocortisone cream to your face without checking with your doctor, because it can cause light spots on your face. In some cases, you’ll need prescription-strength creams.

How to Avoid Skin Reactions to Beauty Products

• Look for products with the fewest ingredients. This will lower your chance of a reaction.
• Do a patch test before using any product. Place a small amount on the inside of your elbow and wait 48 hours to 72 hours. If you have redness, swelling, itching, or burning, don’t use that product.
• Always apply fragrance to your clothes, not your skin. This can help reduce the risk of reaction to the fragrance. It can also reduce the risk of the fragrance interacting with ingredients in other products and causing a skin reaction.
• Just because a label says something is “hypoallergenic,” “dermatologist tested,” “sensitivity tested,” or “non-irritating,” that’s no guarantee that the products will be kind to your skin. Some companies do the testing, others don’t. There are no rules about how these terms can be used on a label.

Understanding Hay Fever — the Basics

What Is Hay Fever?

Hay fever is an allergic disorder characterized by an exaggerated immune response to pollen grains and other substances.

Also known as allergic rhinitis, there are two types: seasonal, which occurs only during the time of year in which certain plants pollinate, and perennial, which occurs all year round. (A related problem,nonallergic rhinitis, shares symptoms with hay fever but is not typically caused by proteins like hay fever and allergies are.)

Typically, if you suffer from hay fever in the spring, you’re probably allergic to tree pollens. Grass and weed pollens may be causing your allergic reaction during the summer. In autumn, weeds may plague you, and fungus spores cause problems primarily from late March through November but can be present year round.

People with year-round (perennial) hay fever are usually allergic to one or more allergens found indoors. These include house dust mites, feathers, and animal dander (the tiny skin flakes animals such as cats and dogs shed along with fur), all of which may be found in pillows, and bedding, heavy draperies, upholstery, and carpeting. Another common allergen, mold, is usually found in damp areas such as bathrooms and basements.

What Causes Hay Fever?

If you suffer from hay fever (allergic rhinitis), it’s because your immune system views harmless inhaled pollen or other allergens as dangerous substances invading the body. Your system overreacts, flooding your bloodstream with chemicals like histamine and leukotrienes, which inflame the lining of your nasal passages, sinuses, and eyelids and also set in motion other symptoms associated with hay fever, such as sneezing.

All of these symptoms are meant to protect your body either by trapping and expelling the allergen or by swelling body areas, such as the nasal passages, so the allergen can’t enter. As a result of congestion in the veins in the lining of your sinuses, dark circles, commonly known as allergic shiners, may appear under your eyes. If you have perennial allergic rhinitis, they may be present all year round. The swelling of your nasal membranes may also close the sinus drainage openings, causing sinusitis. Rhinitis may also be associated with nasal polyps — small, non-cancerous growths; nosebleeds can also occur during hay fever attacks.

Hay fever is often an inherited trait (genetically determined). The majority of patients with hay fever have a parent or sibling who also has allergies. People with asthma or eczema (allergic dermatitis) are more likely than others to develop hay fever; and about one-third of those with allergic rhinitis also have at least mild, intermittent, allergic asthma.

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions in children and adults. Often called “pink eye,” it is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and the white of the eyeball, and helps keep the eyelid and eyeball moist.

Viruses, bacteria, irritating substances (shampoo, dirt, smoke, pool chlorine), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or allergens (substances that cause allergies) can all cause conjunctivitis. Pink eye caused by bacteria, viruses, or STDs can spread easily from person to person, but it is not a serious health risk if diagnosed promptly; allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious.

It is important to find out whether your pink eye is caused by allergiesor infection, because each condition has different treatments. This article focuses on allergic conjunctivitis.

What Are the Symptoms of Allergic Pink Eye?

Symptoms of allergic pink eye include:

• Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid
• Increased amount of tears
• Itchy eyes
• Blurred vision
• Swelling of the eyelid

In allergic conjunctivitis, these symptoms are usually present in both eyes (not always equally).

See your ophthalmologist (a doctor and surgeon who is trained to treat eye conditions), optometrist (doctor trained to treat eye conditions), or family doctor if you have any of these persistent symptoms.

How Is Allergic Pink Eye Treated?

Allergy-associated pink eye may disappear completely, either when the allergy is treated with antihistamines, or when the allergen is removed. Your doctor may recommend you use one or more of the following:

• Ocular (topical) decongestants: These medicines reduce redness by constricting small blood vessels in the eye. They are not recommended for long-term use. Using these drops for more than a few days can actually worsen symptoms.
• Ocular (topical) antihistamines: These medicines reduce redness, swelling, and itching by blocking the actions of histamine, the chemical that causes these symptoms of allergy. They are available both over-the-counter and by prescription.
• Ocular (topical) steroids: When other medicines fail, your doctor may prescribe steroid eye drops to relieve the symptoms of conjunctivitis. These must be used with the supervision of your doctor, because they can cause elevated pressure inside of the eye, which can lead to vision damage. Your doctor also must check for viral eye infections, such as herpes, before ocular steroids are used. These drops can also increase the risk of cataracts, clouding of the lens of the eye that can impair vision.
• Ocular (topical) mast cell stabilizers (such as Cromolyn): This medicine works by preventing specialized cells from releasing histamine. It works best when started before symptoms occur.
• Systemic (oral) versions of the above medications: These are used for severe cases.
• Immunotherapy: Allergy shots can be effective for treating pink eye caused by allergies. Oral tablets containing the same extracts as shots are also available.

How Can I Relieve Symptoms of Allergic Pink Eye?

To relieve symptoms of allergic pink eye:

• Remove contact lenses, if you wear them.
• Place cold compresses on your eyes.
• Try nonprescription “artificial tears,” a type of eye drop that may help relieve itching and burning (note: Other types of eye drops may irritate the eyes and should not be used). Do not use the same bottle of drops in the other eye if it is not affected.

The best defense against allergic pink eye is a good offense: Try to avoid substances that trigger your allergies. An allergy specialist can test to determine what your specific triggers might be.

Other Tips for Allergic Pink Eye

• Don’t touch or rub the affected eye(s).
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
• Wash your bed linens, pillowcases, and towels in hot water and detergent to reduce allergens.
• Avoid wearing eye makeup.
• Don’t share eye makeup with anyone else.
• Never wear another person’s contact lens.
• Wear glasses instead of contact lenses to reduce irritation.
• Wash your hands before applying the eye drops or ointment to your eye or your child’s eye.
• Do not use eye drops that were used in an infected eye in a non-infected eye.

Sunburn and Other Sun Reactions of the Skin

The sun produces invisible rays called ultraviolet-A (UVA) or ultraviolet-B (UVB) that can damage the skin. Too much sun can causesunburn, skin texture changes, and skin cancers. Rashes also can be attributed to sunlight. Even on cloudy days, UV radiation reaches the earth and can cause skin damage.

Sunburn and Your Skin

Sunburn is a condition that occurs when the amount of exposure to the sun or another ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body’s protective pigment (melanin) to protect the skin.

Symptoms of sunburn include painful, reddened skin; however, sunburn may not be immediately apparent. By the time the skin starts to become painful and red, the damage has been done. Severe sunburn may result in swelling and blisters. People who are severely sunburned may develop a fever, chills, and/or weakness. In rare cases, people with sunburn can go into shock.

Several days after sunburn, people with naturally fair skin may have peeling in the burned areas. Some itching may occur and the peeled areas are even more sensitive to sunburn for several weeks.

Susceptibility to sunburns is increased in people with:

• Fair skin
• Light-colored hair
• People using certain medications that increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunburn, such as NSAIDs (ibuprofen and naproxen, for example), quinolones, tetracyclines, psoralens, thiazides, furosemide, amiodarone, and the phenothiazines.

Sunburn Treatments

To treat — or ease the discomfort of — sunburn:

• Apply a cold compress to the affected area(s).
• Take aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) immediately after exposure to the sun to relieve sunburn discomfort and inflammation.
• Apply a cooling gel or ointment containing aloe vera to the sunburned area or areas.
• Avoid further sun exposure until the discomfort resolves.

In cases of severe sunburn or sunstroke, see your doctor immediately.

Photosensitivity

Most people’s skin will burn if there is enough exposure to ultraviolet radiation. However, some people burn particularly easily or develop exaggerated skin reactions to sunlight. This condition is called photosensitivity. People often call this a sun allergy.

People with photosensitivity have an immunological response to light — most often sunlight. They can break out in a rash when exposed to sunlight. The amount of exposure required to cause a reaction varies from person to person. Some people with photosensitivity are also affected by indoor fluorescent lighting.

Photosensitivity has been linked to:

• Contact with chemicals, fragrances, or plants
• Medicines (including sulfonamides, tetracycline, and thiazide diuretics) that are taken internally
• Herbs including St. John’s wort
• Autoimmune diseases such aslupus erythematosus
• Porphyria, a metabolic disorder that is sometimes hereditary

Symptoms of photosensitivity

Symptoms of photosensitivity may include a pink or red skin rash with blotchy blisters, scaly patches, or raised spots on areas directly exposed to the sun. Itching and burning may occur and the rash may last for several days. In some people, the reaction to sunlight gradually becomes less with subsequent exposures.

Photosensitivity treatments

Some types of photosensitivity may respond to specific treatments such as oral beta-carotene, steroids, or other medications.

Polymorphous Light Eruption

Polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) is a condition in which skin rashes can develop after fairly limited sun exposure. PMLE usually affects females between the ages of 20 and 40. The condition also can affect children and less commonly, men.

Symptoms of PMLE

The term ‘polymorphic’ refers to the fact that the rash can take many forms. A common kind of PMLE resembles groups of pink or red raised spots on the arms. Other areas, including the legs and chest, also may be affected. Sometimes the rash has blisters and larger dry, red spots. The rash is accompanied by a burning or itching that can last for several days.

PMLE Treatments

In severe cases, a doctor may recommend oral steroids to treat PMLE. Hydroxychloroquine, a drug used to treat skin conditions, sometimes is recommended.

Skin Care Tips

To protect your skin from the sun, consider these tips:

• Avoid the sun during peak hours (usually 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• Dress sensibly. The tighter the weave and darker the colors of the fabric, the more sun protection it will offer. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Avoid deliberate sunbathing, including tanning beds.
• Use a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF even on cloudy days. Sunscreens should be applied about 20 minutes before going outdoors. Even water-resistant sunscreens should be reapplied about every two hours, after swimming, or after strenuous activity.

Choosing a Sunscreen

Different sunscreens are appropriate for different people. For children under 6 months old, the best option is to keep them out of the sun, if possible. If sun exposure is unavoidable, put a little bit of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on small areas such as the cheeks and back of the hands, after testing to see if the baby is sensitive by first trying a small amount on the baby’s wrist.

People with dark skin would benefit from sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreens with SPF numbers higher than 30 may benefit people who want to minimize their exposure to the sun, especially people who are fair-skinned.