There are people who when eating certain foods, his body getting red, bumps, itching and others, even to the shortness of breath. Sometimes not only due to food, but the complaint may also be experienced by a person who in state of fatigue, stress, taking a drug or unsuitable weather. All the symptoms are called allergens. Allergy is an abnormal reaction in the body caused by substances that are harmless. Allergies occur when there is contact of certain substances that are usually, in a normal person does not cause a reaction.
Phisiologically, human body has several systems that control the body, one of which is the immune system. The immune system is a system that protects the body from the dangers of foreign substances that enter the body. The immune system is controlled by antibodies that produced by B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes in one’s body. So all the substances that enter and contact with the body will be detected by this antibody. If a foreign substance is not harmful to health it will be well received, whereas if it is harmful foreign substances will be bound and neutralized by antibodies. This antibody reactions often cause allergic symptoms such as red, swollen, itching, shortness of breath and others. Foreign substances that can stimulate the emergence of allergy is called an allergen.
Allergic process itself takes occurs in certain steps. First, if the body possessed by something harmful foreign substances, the antibodies will stick to the mast cells of the body and stimulate mast cells to produce histamine. Furthermore, histamine will attack the substance of allergen until symptoms develop itchy, red, bumps and deodorized. Actually, everyone always occur between the antibody reaction to foreign substances (allergens). However, these reactions did not grow up to cause symptoms and complaints. Only on very sensitive people may develop antibodies allergic complaints.
Looking at the body structure, allergens substance can enter the body through the mouth, nose and skin. Allergens through the mouth usually from food and cause allergies in the gastrointestinal tract and will spread throughout the body. While passing through the nose, allergens will stimulate the respiratory tract. Respiratory allergies usually cause symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, coughing to shortness of breath. While in contact through the skin will usually be triggered locally allergy at the site of a contact.
Determining the cause of allergies can be done in the following way :
- Avoiding substances suspected as allergens, and then after the symptoms disappear. For example, if the suspected allergen is the food, then you should stop eating those foods. After symptoms disappear, try again to eat and see is it the same reaction.
- Perform an allergy test and see family history and the history of the frequency of the attacks occurred. If one parent suffers from allergies, then the likelihood of disease risk in children and reduced to about 25% -30%. In the meantime, if both parents are allergy sufferrer, the risk increases to 60% -70%. Besides needing a physical examination and investigation including skin allergy tests, x-rays, laboratory tests, and further tests if necessary. Tests on the skin is a very simple examination to diagnose allergies. By giving certain substances on the skin of a person, it is known substances that are allergens in person. Injected substances in small quantities. If swelling at the injection given, then the substance is an allergen.
Here are some tips to avoid allergies :
- Maintain cleanliness of the environment, both inside and outside the home. Including not accumulate a lot of stuff in the house or in the bedroom which can be a nest of dust accumulation as a stimulus allergic reaction. Try not to keep animals in the house or put a pet cage around your home.
- Personal hygiene must also be considered to avoid the accumulations of dirt in our body which can also be a source of allergic stimuli. For bathing, we recommend using warm water and try to take a bath in the afternoon before 5 pm. And you should also avoid using hair dye.
- Do not use air freshener or perfume, anti-mosquito. If in your house there are lots of mosquitoes, use anti-mosquito racket.
- Use a mattress or cushion of foam material rather than cotton. Use cotton sheets and wash them once a week.
- Avoid using the clothes of wool , use cotton clothing.
- Air Conditioning (AC) can be used, but should not be too cold.
- Keep an eye on any food or beverages or drugs that can cause allergic reactions. Avoid food, beverages and medicines. You must comply with the rules of your allergy diet.
- Consult with a physician who is an expert on allergies. Allergies emerging needs a different caring on each allergy sufferers.
Handling the most appropriate allergy was not with drugs but by avoiding the allergen. Theoretically, the allergy can not be eliminated, but can be reduced and the frequency of severe attacks.
