11 common allergy triggers and how to avoid them (Part 2)

6. Insects and insect sting

Insects can either contaminate surfaces that cause an allergic reaction on contact or release the allergens directly in your body through stinging.

a. Stings

The usual effects of an insect sting to a person are swelling, itching, and redness.

Severe reactions can result from insect stings. Anaphylaxis resulting from wasp or bees stings is common and requires specific immunotherapy to prevent further severe reactions.

Immediate diagnosis and treatment of sting reactions are crucial to reduce the risk of further reactions.

Prevention

The following measures can be taken to avoid the potentially fatal effect of an insect sting reaction:

• Stay away from areas that are known to be infested by insects.
• Insects like yellow jackets tend to feed on discarded, rotten food and garbage. So, keep your surroundings clean and stay away from such feeding grounds.
• Perfumes lure honeybees, so avoid wearing a strong-smelling scent when going out.
• When venturing outdoors, consider wearing protective clothing and footwear to cover up exposed skin as much as possible.
• If you have had a previous severe allergic reaction to an insect sting, carry epinephrine at all times to treat anaphylaxis.

b. Insects (cockroaches)

Cockroaches contain a specific protein in their waste, saliva, and body parts that can trigger an allergic reaction if inhaled.

Approximately 40%–60% of people who have asthma, both in urban areas and inner-city areas, have the IgE antibodies to cockroach allergens.

A person with asthma is more likely allergic to cockroach as well than those who do not have asthma.

Prevention

Steer clear of an allergic reaction to cockroaches through these measures:

• Use pest control or hire pest control professionals to do the job.
• Use boric acid, traps, or poison baits but do not use these poisonous chemicals if there are small children or pets in the house.
• Cockroaches feed on filth and garbage, so make sure to clear your trash every day.
• You may consult your doctor about getting allergy shots.

7. Latex

Latex is a milky fluid obtained from various kinds of seed plants, particularly from rubber trees.

Latex is the chief component of rubber and is found in a whole range of everyday products, such as rubber gloves, toys, tires, shoe soles, condoms, balloons, rubber bands, bandages, and paint.

There is a dire need to look for or develop safer substitutes for this common allergen. Moreover, a system should be in place to identify and tag latex-containing products to avoid usage by allergic people.

Prevention

To prevent latex allergy, you must first educate yourself about what it is and how to deal with its symptoms, for which you need to seek the help of an allergist.

• You must inform your physician and dentist about your condition so that they can refrain from using rubber products when examining or treating you.
• Your best move is to search for safer alternatives to latex products to minimize the risk of exposure.

8. Fragrance

Some of the scented cosmetics are essentially synthetic chemicals that can trigger allergy-like symptoms in some people.

These symptoms are usually a result of increased skin sensitivity and irritation after prolonged exposure to the scented substance. Such an effect may even pave the way for allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).

Fragrance is one of the most commonly reported triggers of allergic reactions, particularly among people with pre-existing inflammatory skin conditions, such as contact dermatitis.

Prevention

The best you can do is minimize your risk of exposure by staying away from scented products. You must exercise special precautions when trying new fragrances as well. Test a small sample to see if it causes a reaction.

9. Medication/ drugs

Certain medications, when administered orally, topically, or intravenously, are mistakenly identified by the body as harmful agents.

Drug allergy is a common clinical complaint that warrants proper medical evaluation by an allergist.

Management options typically involve avoiding the offending drug and substituting it with a more suitable alternative that has a different chemical structure.

Prevention

While there is nothing you can do to keep yourself from becoming allergic to a medication, you can certainly prevent allergic reactions by avoiding the medicine that you are allergic to and perhaps even those with a similar chemical composition.

Consult your doctor to seek safer substitutes for the offending drug instead.

10. Smoke (cigarette, barbecue, environmental)

An allergic reaction to charcoal or wood smoke usually resolves on its own, but it can be quite deleterious for asthma patients as it can trigger a full-blown attack.

People with seasonal allergies should also steer clear of tobacco smoke, as it can trigger and exacerbate their symptoms.

Prevention

An allergic reaction to smoke can be avoided by doing the following:

• Try to avoid smoky areas the best you can, but if you must, make sure to sit against the direction of the wind so that the smoke blows away from you rather than toward you.
• Second-hand smoke could be quite harmful, so protect yourself from it as well.
• Wear an anti-pollution mask to protect yourself from the airborne allergens.

11. Metal allergy (nickel)

Nickel is a naturally occurring metal that is often amalgamated with other metals to make alloys that are used for manufacturing a whole range of essential items.

Nickel has been identified as one of the major triggers for allergic contact dermatitis, wherein your skin may become irritated or develop a rash upon coming in contact with the said metal.

Prevention

Firstly consult an allergist for the cause of your symptoms. Once you are certain that it is nickel that you are allergic to, you can move on to the management phase.

This involves discontinuing or minimizing the use of nickel-containing products in your daily life to prevent allergic reactions in the future.

FINAL WORD

Exposure to allergens can trigger severe immune reactions in a person. Therefore, the best way to prevent allergies is to avoid exposure to triggers.

Furthermore, you can take the help of preventative or emergency medications to manage the condition. You may also consult your doctor about allergen immunotherapy.

Source: EMEDIHEALTH

About STELLA

Stellapharm is one of leading generics pharmaceutical companies and strong producer of anti-viral drugs in Vietnam. The company established in Vietnam in 2000; and focuses on both prescription drugs and non-prescription especially in cardiovascular diseases, anti-viral drugs, anti-diabetics drugs, etc. and our products are now used by millions of patients in more than 50 countries worldwide.

The company is globally recognized for its quality through our facilities have been audited and approved by stringent authority like EMA, PMDA, Taiwan GMP, local WHO and others.

Additional information for this article: Stellapharm J.V. Co., Ltd. – Branch 1
A: 40 Tu Do Avenue, Vietnam – Singapore Industrial Park, An Phu Ward, Thuan An City, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
T: +84 274 376 7470 | F: +84 274 376 7469 | E: info@stellapharm.com | W: www.stellapharm.com