100 Questions & Answers about Allergies

Title......Page 2
Copyright......Page 3
Contents......Page 6
Introduction......Page 8
Part One: General Concepts in Allergy......Page 10
1. What is an allergy?......Page 11
2. What are the allergic diseases, and how common are they?......Page 12
3. Has there been an increase in allergic diseases?......Page 13
4. What has caused the recent increase in allergic diseases?......Page 14
6. When do allergies usually come on, and will they go away during adulthood?......Page 15
Part Two: Nasal Allergy......Page 16
7. What are the symptoms of nasal allergies?......Page 17
8. How can I tell if I have allergies or colds?......Page 18
9. What factors in the environment trigger nasal allergies?......Page 19
11. When I’m exposed to perfume, my nose runs. Is this an allergy?......Page 20
12. Does drinking milk increase nasal mucus production?......Page 21
14. Do alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and cocaine have any serious effects on the nose?......Page 22
15. I was told that I have a deviated septum and that this makes my allergies worse. Do I need to have it surgically repaired?......Page 23
16. What causes chronic nasal blockage in infants?......Page 25
17. I started to have a stuffy nose in my late 60s. What is the most likely cause?......Page 26
18. What is an allergy skin test?......Page 27
20. What are some alternative methods for diagnosing allergies?......Page 29
21. What are the main steps in treating nasal allergies?......Page 30
22. If I keep a very clean house, do I need to worry about dust mites?......Page 31
23. If I have an allergy to mold, what can I do to prevent symptoms?......Page 32
24. If my child has nasal allergies, should we get rid of our cat?......Page 34
25. How do I know if I need to use an air filter in my house?......Page 35
26. Are some dogs truly “hypoallergenic?”......Page 36
27. In what situations will antihistamines be helpful to me?......Page 37
28. When do I need a decongestant, and what are the main side effects?......Page 38
29. I understand that montelukast is used to treat asthma. Does it help my nasal allergies as well?......Page 39
30. Are nasal steroids a useful treatment for nasal allergies?......Page 41
31. Are nasal steroids safe for me to take?......Page 42
32. What is the correct way to use my nasal spray?......Page 43
33. Are eye symptoms commonly found in patients with nasal allergies, and how should I treat them?......Page 44
35. What are allergy shots, and how effective are they for nasal allergies?......Page 46
36. Will acupuncture help my nasal allergies?......Page 49
37. Which herbal products will help my nasal allergies?......Page 50
38. When should I take my child to an allergy specialist?......Page 51
39. Do nasal allergies worsen during pregnancy, and how should they be treated?......Page 52
41. When I fly, my nasal allergies get worse. What can I do to prevent this?......Page 56
42. My 5-year-old daughter has had chronic fluid in both ears. Does she need to be evaluated for allergies?......Page 57
43. Do allergies increase the need for orthodontia in children?......Page 58
44. What is sinusitis, and how is it related to allergies?......Page 59
45. How should chronic sinus problems be treated?......Page 61
46. What are nasal polyps, and are they caused by allergies?......Page 62
47. Can chronic headaches be related to allergies?......Page 64
48. Do nasal allergies affect bronchial asthma?......Page 65
49. How does nasal allergy affect sleep?......Page 66
51. How is nasal allergy related to mood and energy level?......Page 67
Part Three: Food Allergy......Page 70
53. Which foods are patients most commonly allergic to?......Page 71
54. What is lactose intolerance?......Page 72
55. How is lactose intolerance treated?......Page 73
56. Can food additives, such as preservatives, cause allergic reactions?......Page 74
58. My child is allergic to eggs. Is it safe for her to receive vaccines?......Page 76
59. If I’m allergic to gelatin, can I receive vaccines?......Page 77
61. Can I be allergic to alcoholic beverages?......Page 78
62. Is there any relationship between seasonal hay fever and food allergies?......Page 79
63. Can food allergies cause heartburn?......Page 80
64. What is the best test for diagnosing food allergies?......Page 82
65. If I am allergic to peanuts, how careful do I have to be?......Page 83
66. I am highly allergic to peanuts, and a recent allergy test also showed small reactions to soy and wheat, even though I can eat these foods without developing symptoms. Do I need to avoid soy and wheat?......Page 84
68. Do food allergies go away, and, if not, are they curable with treatment?......Page 85
70. Does food allergy cause autism?......Page 86
71. What is celiac disease?......Page 87
72. How is celiac disease treated?......Page 89
73. Is there any way to prevent children from becoming food allergic?......Page 90
75. What can we do at home to prevent serious allergic reactions to foods, and how do I treat it if it happens?......Page 91
Part Four: Insect Sting Allergy......Page 94
77. How do I know what type of insect stung me?......Page 95
78. I was stung by a bee recently. Do I need to be allergy tested?......Page 96
79. If I have a history of severe bee sting allergy, what should I do the next time I am stung?......Page 97
80. How can I keep from getting stung in the future?......Page 98
81. Do allergy shots work for insect allergy?......Page 99
Part Five: Drug Allergy......Page 102
82. What is a drug allergy, and what are the most common symptoms?......Page 103
83. I received a Novacaine shot from my dentist and felt very dizzy and sick to my stomach. Am I allergic to Novacaine?......Page 104
84. If I am allergic to penicillin, will I be allergic to other antibiotics?......Page 105
86. If I am allergic to aspirin, is there any way I can take it?......Page 106
87. I was told that I had a penicillin allergy as a baby. Should I continue to avoid it as an adult?......Page 107
88. After a dental cleaning, I developed swelling of my mouth. I had similar problems while blowing up balloons. What does this indicate?......Page 108
Part Six: Allergic Skin Diseases......Page 112
90. What causes hives?......Page 113
91. Which tests are most important in determining the causes of chronic hives?......Page 115
92. What treatments work best for hives?......Page 116
94. Are there any medications I should avoid if I have hives or allergic swelling?......Page 118
95. What is allergic eczema?......Page 119
96. What can I do about my child’s eczema?......Page 121
98. What is contact dermatitis?......Page 123
99. How should contact dermatitis be treated?......Page 125
100. Is it possible to have a skin allergy to sunlight?......Page 127
Resources......Page 130
Glossary......Page 132
Index......Page 136