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Allergies and their
diagnosis
Allergies are very common in Australia and they are on the
increase in both adults and children. About one in three people
will be affected at some time in their lives.
Allergies can make your life miserable. But testing can help you
find out just what substances, called allergens, trigger your
symptoms. In this way you can take control of your health by
avoiding the relevant allergens and have treatment that is specific
to your own situation.
WHAT ARE ALLERGIES?
An allergy is an overreaction by the body's immune system
to often everyday things that should not normally bother people.
Allergens, the substances that cause allergies, can be found in the
environment - the places where we live and work - and in food.
Allergic sensitivity tends to run in families. Most people with
allergies are affected by more than one substance. However,
everyone reacts differently; something that is a problem for one
person may not be for someone else.
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In most allergic reactions the immune system responds to an
allergen by creating a particular antibody called immunoglobulin E
(IgE).
The first time you are exposed to the allergen you are unlikely
to have a major reaction; instead, your immune system creates IgE
antibodies and you become 'sensitised'. But the next time you come
into contact with the allergen, the IgE identifies it and triggers
the release of chemicals, including histamine, that cause your
symptoms. It is quite possible that sensitisation occurs through
the skin or the nasal passages, which is often the case for
infants.
| WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON
ALLERGENS? |
| Food |
Environment |
| Dairy Products |
Animals |
| Nuts |
Grasses |
| Egg |
Insects |
| Prawns |
Moulds |
| Fish |
Trees |
| Soy |
Weeds |
| Fruits |
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| Meat |
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Common Allergy
Myths - debunked
- Myth: Milk causes hay fever
FACT: Milk may irritate the throat and cause a
feeling of mucus build up, but it does not cause hay fever
(allergic rhinitis)
- Myth: You can't be allergic to fruit
FACT: A very wide variety of fruits can cause
allergy, sometimes anaphylaxis; common fruits include banana,
kiwifruit and mango
- Myth: Tree pollen (wattle) is a common cause
of allergies in Queensland
FACT: Whilst tree pollens may contribute to
allergen load, grass pollens cause the vast majority of plant
derived allergies
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WHAT SYMPTOMS MIGHT YOU EXPERIENCE?
Asthma (wheezing), allergic rhinitis (runny itchy nose),
allergic conjunctivitis (weeping itchy eyes), atopic dermatitis
(itchy skin with red inflamed areas), urticaria (hives), and tongue
and throat swelling.
Anaphylaxis is a less common but far more serious reaction that
affects the whole body, can be life-threatening, and requires
urgent medical treatment.