| Condition |
Allergen |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Prevention |
| Asthma |
Dust mites
Animal hair
Pollen
Some foods and food additives |
Difficulty in breathing Severe cough shortness of breath on minimal exercise |
Relievers bronchodilator
Preventers anti- inflammatory agents (steroids, Intal) |
Keep house dust free
Avoid pollen, keep clear of allergic foods |
| Contact |
Contact with allergen, eg. jewellery, chemicals in washing powder |
Itchy, blistery inflammation |
Steroid creams given on doctor's prescription |
Avoid contact with allergens |
| Eczema |
Some foods, especially cow's milk, flour, eggs, possibly some seafoods |
Rash on hands, face, neck, arms and legs; looks like scaly skin |
Antihistamine tablets and creams given for skin condition |
Take diet precautions to avoid allergen |
| Food allergy |
Could be caused by almost any food more commonly milk, flour, eggs ; also strawberries, shellfish, nuts, some food additives |
Upset stomach and general nausea, acute reaction produces swollen tongue and lips, as well as diarrhea. If food is absorbed into bloodstream, it can cause eczema and migaine |
Antigen avoidance diet avoiding causative foods. Dietician's help required to prevent malnutrition |
Breastfeeding reduces the tendency for allergy |
| Hay fever |
Pollen ; may react to just one pollen or to several different types |
Sore, itchy eyes, runny or stuffy nose, prolonged sneezing |
Prick test to confirm allergy Course of injection and antihistamine tablets to relieve symptoms |
Keep windows shut Listen to pollen count on weather report Avoid open air Wear sun glasses |
| Migraine |
Sometimes caused by cheese, red wine, yeast extract, but not only caused by an allergy |
Binding headache |
Elimination diet test if complaint due to food allergy |
Avoid allergen foods |
| Urticaria |
Foods
Handing certain plants
Hot and cold water |
Red, irritating swelling with white in centre |
Skin condition treated with antihistamine pills, if necessary |
Avoid the allergens |
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