Student J. Student Period 2 January 30, 2013 Allergies Student J. Student Period 2 January 30, 2013

Student J. Student Period 2 January 30, 2013 Allergies Student J. Student Period 2 January 30, 2013

What is an Allergy? An allergy is a physiological reaction caused when the immune system mistakenly identifies a normally harmless substance as damaging to the body.

What is an Allergy? reaction caused when the immune system mistakenly identifies a normally harmless substance as damaging to the body.

Affects From Allergies People who have allergies are often sensitive to more than one thing. Example: Someone who might be allergic to a particular pollen may also be allergic to dust. Allergies may cause: runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling, and or asthma.

Affects From Allergies runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling, and or asthma.

What organs/body systems are affected by allergies? Allergies affect the immune system this includes: Adenoids (two glands located at the back of the nasal passages), Appendix, Blood vessels, Bone marrow, Spleen, and Tonsils.

What is Anaphylactic Shock? Anaphylactic Shock is a severe, sometimes fatal, reaction to a substance to which a person has an extreme sensitivity, often involving respiratory difficulty and circulation failure. People who often react in this way carry an EpiPen® (epinephrine) on them. An EpiPen is an Auto-Injector that is for the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions caused by allergens, exercise, or unknown triggers; and for people who are at increased risk for these reactions.

Common Allergies Insect Stings Animals Chemicals Dust and Dust Mites Food Mold Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Pollen Latex

Insect Stings Bees, Wasps, Hornets, Yellow jackets, and Fire ants are common insects that cause allergic reactions Interesting fact: Everyone is allergic to insect stings. People are not allergic to the insect itself, but the venom. Everyone reacts differently. A small red bump where the person was stung is an allergic reaction.

Animals A person is not allergic to the animal itself, but from the animal’s Oil glands, Dander, Saliva, and or Urine

Chemicals Chemicals in Carpeting, Plastics, Perfumes, Plants, Paint, Cigarette smoke, Cleaning fluids ,Pesticides, Preservatives etc are some common chemicals that cause an allergic reaction.

Food The most common next to insect stings and one of the most deadly. Swelling of the throat, itching, sneezing can be caused if allergic to a food. Common food allergies include : Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Soy, Tree nuts, Peanuts, Fish, and Shellfish

Dust , Dust Mites, and Mold These are commonly found in houses or outside and can cause a severe allergic reaction to some people.

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Pollen These are all found outside and can affect a person by causing rashes and sneezing. These allergies can be carried on clothing so stay indoors when possible when pollen levels are high.

Latex Natural rubber latex is a milky fluid found in rubber trees, has a contaminating protein in the rubber that causes allergic reactions.

Prevention When allergic to something avoid the cause of the reaction. Staying indoors away from insects in the spring or when the pollen levels are high. Avoid animals you are allergic to and ask friends if they own an animal you are allergic so you know to avoid going to their house. Tell doctors that you are allergic to a particular medicine or latex. Educate yourself on your allergen so you the best way to avoid it. Carry an Epipen.

Work Cited http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/allergy.html http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodAllergens/default.htm http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/allergy_asthma/about_allergy/allergies_immune_system/Pages/index.aspx http://www.bidmc.org/en/YourHealth/Therapeutic-Centers/Allergy.aspx?ChunkID=657553 http://www.epipen.com/