Common Allergies (Allergic Conditions, Allergen, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention)

Condition	Allergen	Symptoms	Treatment	Prevention
Asthma	Dust mites Animal hair Pollen Some foods and food additives	Difficulty in breathing Severe cough shortness of breath on minimal exercise	Relievers bronchodilator Preventers anti- inflammatory agents (steroids, Intal)	Keep house dust free Avoid pollen, keep clear of allergic foods
Contact	Contact with allergen, eg. jewellery, chemicals in washing powder	Itchy, blistery inflammation	Steroid creams given on doctor's prescription	Avoid contact with allergens
Eczema	Some foods, especially cow's milk, flour, eggs, possibly some seafoods	Rash on hands, face, neck, arms and legs; looks like scaly skin	Antihistamine tablets and creams given for skin condition	Take diet precautions to avoid allergen
Food allergy	Could be caused by almost any food more commonly milk, flour, eggs ; also strawberries, shellfish, nuts, some food additives	Upset stomach and general nausea, acute reaction produces swollen tongue and lips, as well as diarrhea. If food is absorbed into bloodstream, it can cause eczema and migaine	Antigen avoidance diet avoiding causative foods. Dietician's help required to prevent malnutrition	Breastfeeding reduces the tendency for allergy
Hay fever	Pollen ; may react to just one pollen or to several different types	Sore, itchy eyes, runny or stuffy nose, prolonged sneezing	Prick test to confirm allergy Course of injection and antihistamine tablets to relieve symptoms	Keep windows shut Listen to pollen count on weather report Avoid open air Wear sun glasses
Migraine	Sometimes caused by cheese, red wine, yeast extract, but not only caused by an allergy	Binding headache	Elimination diet test if complaint due to food allergy	Avoid allergen foods
Urticaria	Foods Handing certain plants Hot and cold water	Red, irritating swelling with white in centre	Skin condition treated with antihistamine pills, if necessary	Avoid the allergens