Awareness is key to allergy control

Awareness is key to allergy control

Allergies, also known as allergic diseases, are a number of conditions caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to typically harmless substances in the environment. These diseases include hay fever, food allergies, atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, and anaphylaxis.

Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature - School on Blog

1. Asthma - As the sawmill operator slices the tree trunk into boards amid a shower of sawdust, he feels the familiar chest tightness of an approaching asthma attack.(10% asthma cases worldwide linked to workplace)

2. Skin Problems – After the hairdresser gives yet another permanent to a customer, her itchy, burning hands start to give her fits. (occupational skin diseases account for up to 20% of all reported work-related diseases)

 Polluted water of Manila Bay

3. Allergic Rhinitis – the graduate student sneezes as she looks through itchy eyes at the laboratory rats in cages surrounding her. Better known as hay fever, AR strikes with symptoms like runny nose and congestion, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, triggered by allergens like perfumes, fumes, dusts, chemicals, and many more linked with the workplace.

Heavy air pollution in a dumpsite in India blocks the setting sun and attracts predators and scavengers.  

A guide to deal with allergies -

1. How do you differentiate Common Cold from Allergy Rhinitis?

• Duration: Colds - 3 to 5 days (rarely more than 10); Allergy Rhinitis - 2 to 3 weeks (or more)
• Nose Symptoms: Colds - colored or cloudy discharge, stuffiness; Allergy Rhinitis – clear, water-like discharge, sneezing and itchiness.
• Other Symptoms: Colds – sore throat, fever; Allergic Rhinitis – red, itchy eyes

2. Sources and causes of allergy

• Allergy on seafoods in common noticeably exhibited by sudden reddening of the face and other parts of the body, accompanied by increased blood pressures, pulse rate and other symptoms.

Pollen allergy from flowers like adelfa. Nectar of adelfa flower also contains a substance that may affect breathing when sipped. 

• Pollen allergy is most common during the months of October to December, the flowering period of Cereals (Family Poaceae) Staminate flower of corn, Zea mays
• Nearly microscopic in size, plant lice (Psylla) form colonies so huge they can destroyed entire plantations of ipil-ipil. Allergic reactions have been reported from their skin castings. The nymphal stage is completed after four to five moultings.

3. Mystery of the Marble Dust

• Marble is metamorphic limestone
• It has a natural finish; it is durable, hard and brittle.
• When ground and polish dusts fill the air, and reach the lungs even through aircon.
• Under the microscope, marble dust is a miniature abrasive particle.
• It hurts the lungs and being Calcium compound, “cake” in the alveoli and tracheal linings,
• Allergy symptoms may start as allergy rhinitis, often mistaken as bronchitis and asthma attack.
• Use mask marble dusts collector, shift to wet process of grinding.
• Refrain from exposure.

4. A short list of causes of Allergies

• Drug
• Dust Mites, Roaches and Other Insect Allergies
• Food allergies and intolerances
• Hay Fever
• Latex
• Mold
• Nickel
• Pet
• Poison Plants
• Stinging and Biting Insects
• Sinusitis

Common Allergic Symptoms

• Runny Nose and Sneezing
• Coughing and Wheezing
• Skin Problems
• Eye Problems
• Ear Problems
• Other Symptoms

B. Hidden Allergy Connection

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Candidiasis
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Depression
• Headaches
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

5. Obesity-Allergy Connection

Which come first? Chicken-or-egg question.

• Smaller airways
• Shallower breathing
• More time indoors
• Stomach problems

6. Easing Childhood Eczema
Avoidance of the following:

• Dust mites, pollen, and certain foods.
• Certain non-allergic irritants such as soaps, wool, synthetic fabrics, or other clothing 
• Overheating and sweating.
• Creams and ointments
• Scratching

7. Potential allergy-provoking problems in the garage and workshop

• Start the engines outside.
• Ditch your damp possessions.
• Store chemicals safely.
• Moldy rags on the floor
• Old chemicals stored on table
• Paint can not closed tightly
• Car engine should not be left running in garage
• Room should have a window or exhaust fan
• Tools should be cleaned outside or in an area with good ventilation

References: Living with Nature AVRotor, Internet