Emergency and First Aid measures for Allergic Reactions

The body sometimes react to minute traces of a foreign substance which might, in fact, be harmless. This reaction is sometimes known as allergies. The symptoms of an allergic reaction includes rashes to the skin, itching, sneezing, breathing difficulties, and in extreme cases, severe breathlessness or collapse. These are well-known symptoms, usually the underlying cause is less clear. What seems to happen in an allergic reaction, is that the antigen-antibody reaction occurs on the surface of the mast cells, which releases histamines afterwards.The white blood cells produce an antibody specific to that antigen. This is called "sensitization.@ This causes the capillaries to dilate, the skin to flush, itch and in some cases, the constriction or tightening of the bronchi, thus resulting in the restricting of the air passage. The constriction also increases the chance of the capillaries ( blood vessels which form a network between the arteries and the brain) being permeated, causing swelling of the organs and tissues, many of the symptoms of an allergy are caused by histamine. Almost anything can trigger an allergic reaction. The body's immune system has a patrol of white blood cells, which produce antibodies . The job of the antibodies is to detect and destroy substances that cause disease and sickness. In allergic reactions, the antibody is called immunoglobulin. Your allergic reactions are unique to you. For example, your body may have learned to be allergic to poison ivy from repeated exposure. Certain foods, vaccines and medications, latex rubber, aspirin, shellfish, dust, pollen, mold, animal dander, and poison ivy are famous allergens. Bee stings, fire ant stings, penicillin, and peanuts are known for causing dramatic reactions that can be serious and involve the whole body. Minor injuries, hot or cold temperatures, exercise, or even emotions may be triggers, Often, the specific allergen cannot be identified unless you have had a similar reaction in the past. Allergies and the tendency to have allergic reactions run in some families. You may have allergies even if they do not run in your family. One method of treating allergies is to give the person affected antihistamine drugs or medicine, to combat the symptoms. If it is pollen or dust, then it may not be possible to avoid the allergens. But it is possible if it is shellfish or penicillin. When allergies are present, then antihistamine tablets or medicine may be given to neutralize the effect of the histamines produced in the allergic reaction. These tablets or medicine helps to prevent and stop attacks, but they also cause drowsiness. It is therefore important to head warnings not to operate machinery, or drive, while taking these tablets. In some cases, desensitizing can be done if the allergen is identified. Desensitizing is when the person is given a small dose of the allergen, which does not produce a reaction, then slowly the quantity is increased, up to normal level. If the symptoms of an allergic reaction persist for more than seven days, or if breathlessness occurs, or the person collapses, then he should be taken to a medical center or a hospital.