Do you react to dust, cold or dry air, smoke, pollens, pets, rug, household chemicals such as detergents and hair dye, or some kind of food substances such as seafood, nuts, and egg?

Trust me it could be so distressing especially those reactions that give respiratory symptoms ( allergies to airborne particles). You start sneezing repeatedly till the point you feel you have lost half your total body fluid, Your face becomes swollen, eyes become red and itchy and nose feels as if it wants to fall off from your face.

If you react so frequently and your sinus gets affected, the facial congestion and frontal headache you will feel added to the above symptoms can make one miserable. Now you have identified the problem, you react to cold air or dust, you try to take precaution by using a face mask, the next thing you get from people is a funny look like you are a ninja or you just dropped from space, the look of overdo. Soooooo…………. So what, they are not going through what you are going through, do not pay attention to them.

What are Allergies? Allergies are responses by the body to certain substances in the environment that are harmless for most people. Individuals who have allergies are called ATOPIC individuals. The common sites for the allergic reaction include the skin (rash and eczema), airway (nose, larynx), eyes, gastrointestinal tract (lip, tongue, etc.) Most people affected usually have a family history of allergies or have closely related conditions such as Asthma or Eczema. Many times, allergic reactions are mild but severe reactions could occur. These severe reactions are called ANAPHYLAXIS and require urgent medical attention. The number of people with allergies is increasing every year. The reason for this is not so understood but one main theory is the HYGIENE HYPOTHESIS that is it may be a result of living in a clean, germ-free environment that reduces the number of germs the immune system has to deal with.

How can this be managed? It is important to seek advice from your general practitioner (GP), however medications such as antihistamine, decongestants, steroids either in the form of nasal spray, tablets, inhalers or cream are helpful in controlling symptoms. Home remedies such as steam inhalation with menthol crystal are very effective for respiratory symptoms. For severe allergies, desensitization technique is done. This involves exposing the affected individual to the allergen in a controlled manner over a number of years so the body gets used to it and doesn’t react to it so severely.

Points to note:

• Anti-histamines, steroids, and decongestants can only help with symptoms but cannot prevent the reactions from happening

• Avoid trigger factors to reduce the frequency of these reactions The keyword here is PREVENTION.
• So who cares if you are called a ninja or get those nasty looks! Do all you can to avoid it even if it means wearing a face mask in public.