All about allergy

If you are exposed to any of these plants or their oils, wash thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible. An alternative is rubbing alcohol, which can dissolve and remove the oils from your skin. If you can remove the oil within 10 minutes, you are unlikely to develop the rash. Symptoms from [...]

Usually self-care at home is all that is needed for a reaction to these plants. Allergy journal

Your health care provider can usually make this diagnosis by the appearance of the rash alone. He or she will ask you some questions about the reaction, your symptoms, and your medical history. No lab tests or x-rays are needed except under unusual circumstances.   Allergy journal

See your health care provider if you have the following conditions: Large areas of rash causing significant discomfort Rash on your mouth, genitals, or around your eyes An area of the rash that becomes infected or drains pus A great deal of swelling People who are highly sensitive to these plants can get a severe [...]

Exposure to poison ivy, oak, or sumac causes an itching rash that usually appears within 24-72 hours. The rash usually starts as small red bumps, and later develops blisters of variable size. The rash may crust or ooze. The rash may be found anywhere on the body that has contacted the oil from the plant. [...]

The rash caused by poison ivy, oak, and sumac is an allergic skin reaction to an oil, called urushiol, which is in the plant. This oil is found in all parts of the plant, including the leaves, stems, roots, and berries. Exposure to the oil occurs through any of the following: Touching any part of [...]

More than half the people in the United States are sensitive to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. If you are sensitive, you can develop an itchy, blistering rash by coming into contact with these plants. Whether you are working or just enjoying the outdoors, look out for these plants: Poison ivy is generally [...]

Author: Rick Kulkarni, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine; Director of Informatics, Department of Emergency Medicine, UCLA/Olive View-UCLA Medical Center Coauthor(s): Kathryn L Hale, MS, PA-C, Medical Writer, eMedicine.com, Inc Editors: Richard F Lockey, MD, Joy McCann Culverhouse Chair of Allergy and Immunology, Director, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Professor [...]

In almost everyone who has an allergic reaction to house dust, symptoms will improve with treatment. If the allergy is to animal dander, removal of the animal will result in gradual disappearance of symptoms. You may notice significant improvement in 2-3 weeks, but it may take 6 months or longer for your symptoms to resolve. [...]

The single best thing you can do to stop the reaction is to reduce your exposure to the allergens. If it is animal dander causing your allergic reaction, you do have options. Keeping the animal outdoors all the time is a partial solution, but your home will still have greater amounts of dander than if [...]

If your symptoms are severe enough or last long enough to require treatment by a medical professional, follow his or her treatment recommendations. Take all prescribed medications as directed.   Allergy journal

Allergy shots: These are given to some people who have persistent and disruptive allergy symptoms. The shots do not treat symptoms, but by altering the immune response, they prevent future allergic reactions. (This is referred to as allergen immunotherapy.) Treatment involves a series of shots, each containing a slightly greater amount of the allergen(s) that [...]

Antihistamines include older antihistamines, also called first-generation antihistamines, and newer second-generation antihistamines. First-generation antihistamines: Most of these antihistamines are available without a prescription, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), clemastine (Tavist), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton Allergy). These older antihistamines are more likely to cause drowsiness. Depending on the product, the duration of action is often shorter than newer [...]

If symptoms do not improve, your physician may prescribe one or more medications. The medications do not cure the allergy, but relieve symptoms.   Allergy journal

Nonprescription antihistamine medication such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) by mouth reduces the itch and watery eyes. Caution – these medications may make you too drowsy to drive or operate machinery safely. They can interfere with concentration or with children’s learning at school. They are to be used for a few days only.   Allergy journal

The single best thing you can do is remove the allergen from your environment (see Prevention). A variety of medications can be used to treat hay fever, eye symptoms, and asthma.   Allergy journal

Generally, your physician will be able to identify the problem by examining you and asking questions. Treatment can begin without further evaluation or testing. Tests and x-ray films are not required except under unusual circumstances. If you don’t respond well to treatment or if there is any doubt about what is causing the reaction, an [...]

If the symptoms of the allergic reaction worsen or do not improve with removal of the allergen, call a physician. If you are having persistent nasal, eye, or chest symptoms, see your doctor. If your respiratory problems are severe (e.g., shortness of breath, difficulty breathing), go to the emergency department or seek care from your [...]

The usual symptoms of indoor allergic reactions are those of many other allergic reactions: Itchy, stuffy nose Clear nasal discharge Itchy, watery, swollen, bloodshot eyes Sneezing Scratchy, swollen throat Cough Wheezing Tightness in the chest Reactions to animal allergens may be very mild or quite severe. Symptoms may occur immediately after exposure to the allergen, [...]

An allergic sensitivity is a reaction of the immune system to a foreign «invader,» a substance that is not native to your body. Exposure to this invader, an allergen, triggers the reaction. When the allergen particles come to rest in the linings of the eyes, nose, or airway of a susceptible person, an allergic reaction [...]

Most people with asthma or hay fever or other outdoor allergies think of their home as a haven where they can escape their allergies. Unfortunately, houses and apartment buildings harbor their own allergens (agents that cause allergy symptoms). The inside of your home actually traps allergens, making them impossible to avoid. Although many allergens in [...]

Author: Richard E Daily, MD, FAAEM, Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Skagg’s Community Health Center. Editors: Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM, Research Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Mary L Windle, Pharm D, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine.com, Inc; [...]

Hives and angioedema may be very uncomfortable but will not cause serious harm. The hives will not leave scars. Most people do well with treatment. Hives and angioedema usually will last only a few hours to a few days. Chronic hives lasts longer than 6 weeks but is rare.     Allergy journal

Avoid exposure to any food, medicine, or physical agent that has been identified to cause your hives or angioedema. Reducing emotional and physical stress may help. In rare cases, you may need to take antihistamines or other medicines for an extended time to prevent further hives or swelling.     Allergy journal

Take all prescribed medicines as directed except for those drugs you are instructed to take only as needed. This will reduce the possibility of the hives or swelling coming back. Contact your health care provider or return to the hospital if you have any of the following: Rash or swelling returns or gets worse Difficulty [...]

Short-acting type H1 antihistamines: These medications, including diphenhydramine (Benadryl), are the primary treatment of mild cases of hives and angioedema. These are available without a prescription and are inexpensive. However, they must be taken every 6-12 hours and cause sleepiness, which can interfere with normal activity. Long-acting H1 antihistamines: These may also be used for [...]

The treatment of hives depends on the severity of the symptoms. For mild to moderately severe localized symptoms, a nonprescription antihistamine by mouth is usually adequate, along with skin care measures for comfort. For more severe cases, an injection or short course of a corticosteroid may be needed to rapidly reduce swelling and itching.   [...]

Self-Care at Home Stop any food or medicine identified as the cause of the hives or angioedema. In very mild cases, no treatment at all may be required. If symptoms are making you uncomfortable, take a nonprescription antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), by mouth, per the package instructions or as directed by your health care [...]

Your health care provider will examine you and ask questions about how the hives or angioedema started. Tell him or her about the following: Any medicines (prescription and nonprescription) you have been taking even if you stopped them in the past few days Any dietary supplement or herbs you take, even if only sometimes, and [...]

Contact your health care provider if you have hives or angioedema. After hearing your symptoms, he or she may want to see you for an office visit. If you are having any of these symptoms along with hives or angioedema, you may be having an anaphylactic reaction. Go immediately to a hospital emergency department. Difficulty [...]