What are Allergies?
If you have allergies,
your immune system overreacts to common substances like pollen,
dust mites, or animal dander. Most allergies develop in childhood,
but they can develop at any age. There are several different
types of allergic reactions:
Allergic
Rhinitis: Symptoms can include sneezing, nasal stuffiness
and itching of your ears and/or roof of the mouth.
Allergic Conjunctivitis: Symptoms can include red,
itchy, watery eyes.
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema): Symptoms can include
red, itchy, dry skin.
Urticaria (Hives): Symptoms can include itchy skin
welts.
Contact Dermatitis: Symptoms can include itchy rash
which breaks out where an allergen has touched the skin.
Log on to the American Lung Association Website at http://www.lungusa.org
for more information on allergies and asthma or contact
your doctor.
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What
is Asthma?
Asthma
is a medical condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing
of the lower airways of the lungs. This results in coughing,
wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness. Common
triggers of asthma include:
- Allergens such as dust mites,
pollens, molds, pet dander, and even cockroaches and their
wastes.
- Irritants in the air, including
smoke from cigarettes, wood fires or charcoal grills,
strong fumes or odors from household sprays, paint, gasoline,
perfume, and scented soaps.
- Respiratory infections such as
colds, flu, sore throats, and sinus infections. (These
are the the most common items that trigger asthma in children.)
- Exercise and other activities
that make you breathe harder.
- Conditions such as dry wind, cold
air, or sudden changes in weather.
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