What are Allergies?

We often hear people say they’re allergic to one thing or another. Symptoms seem to range from a slight sniffle to potentially lethal anaphylaxis. With such a wide range of culprit triggers – dust animals, pollen, dairy products and wheat to name just a few – how do we know exactly what it is that makes an allergy an allergy?

Allergies and Intolerances

Many people today who claim to have an allergy actually have an intolerance. This is particularly true of lots of individuals who believe they have a food allergy. An intolerance means that the body has trouble digesting a particular substance, such as wheat or dairy products. As the body works hard to digest heavy-going food, the sufferer can experience lots of unpleasant symptoms including bloating, painful trapped wind, diarrhoea and constipation. There’s no denying that intolerances are not much fun, but they’re not the same thing as an allergy – even though some of the symptoms may be the same.

Allergies and the Immune System

A true allergy involves the immune system. The first time you come into contact with your trigger allergen, whether it’s peanuts, pollen or puppies, you won’t experience an allergic reaction. But your immune system will ‘remember’ the trigger substance, because it perceived it to be a dangerous invader. The next time your body encounters the trigger substance, a chain reaction takes place. The immune system releases large amounts of antibodies to deal with the ‘invader.’ In turn, these antibodies set off the release of histamine into the bloodstream. It’s histamine that causes the wide range of physical symptoms, from the irritating, to the life-threatening.

Allergies and their Triggers

Anything is a potential allergy trigger. It’s a safe bet that someone, somewhere will be allergic to pretty much any substance you might come across. In our modern world, the huge number of chemicals and synthetic products we use have given rise to a whole new set of allergies, while other people suffer from allergies that have been bugging human beings for centuries, like hay fever.

From bee stings, to latex, to shellfish and cheese, the list of allergy triggers just goes on and on. While it’s true to say that these days we have many effective remedies for reducing the symptoms of allergy, such as anti-histamines, we still cannot cure the allergy itself. The best method of minimising the number of attacks is still to avoid your trigger substance.

Symptoms of Allergy

Once an allergic response has been triggered, symptoms can appear very suddenly, although it can take several hours. Typical symptoms of allergy might include:

• a runny or blocked nose, watery, red and itchy eyes,
• skin rashes,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• coughing,
• sneezing and wheezing.

Nose Bleeding

My eldest daughter, 5 years old, often get nose bleeding. Well, sometimes it makes panic when saw she was bleeding in the middle of the night. Usually the bleeding comes after she too tired in the noon without some sleep. My wife, often worried about this condition, she took my eldest daughter to our pediatric and made some consultation. The pediatric also took some test upon my child, some blood test to convince us. Fortunately, the result was good, no need to worry.

So, here some guidance for parent who also have the same condition as me.

Why causes nosebleeds?

The nose is a part of the body rich in blood vessels (vascular) and is situated in a vulnerable position as it protrudes on the face. As a result, trauma to the face can cause nasal injury and bleeding. The bleeding may be profuse, or simply a minor complication. Nosebleeds can occur spontaneously when the nasal membranes dry out and crack. This is common in dry climates, or during the winter months when the air is dry and warm from household heaters. People are more susceptible to a bloody nose if they are taking medications which prevent normal blood clotting warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, or any anti-inflammatory medication]. In this situation, even a minor trauma could result in significant bleeding.

The incidence of nosebleeds is higher during the colder winter months when upper respiratory inspection are more frequent, and the temperature and humidity fluctuate more dramatically. In addition, changes from a bitter cold outside environment to a warm, dry, heated home results in drying and changes in the nose which will make it more susceptible to bleeding. Nosebleeds also occur in hot dry climates with low humidity, or when there is a change in the seasons. The following factors predispose people to nosebleeds:

• Infection
  
• Trauma, including self-induced by nose picking, especially in children
• Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  
• Use of blood thinning medications
• Alcohol abuse
• Less common causes include tumors and inherited bleeding problem

What Is the Treatment for A Common Nosebleed?

Most people who develop nose bleeding can handle the problem without the need of a physician if they follow the first aid recommendations below:

1. Pinch all the soft parts of the nose together between your thumb and index finger.
   
2. Press firmly toward the face - compressing the pinched parts of the nose against the bones of the face.
   
3. Lean forward slightly with the head tilted forward. Leaning back or tilting the head back allows the blood to run back into your sinuses and throat and can cause gagging or inhaling the blood.
   
4. Hold the nose for at least five minutes. Repeat as necessary until the nose has stopped bleeding.

When should you call your doctor ?

• If bleeding cannot be stopped or keeps occurring.
  
• If bleeding is rapid, or if blood loss is large.
  
• If you feel weak or faint, presumably from blood loss.
  
• If your nosebleed is associated with a fever or headache.
  
• If your infant or baby has a nosebleed, contact the pediatrician.

source: http://www.medicinenet.com/