ALLERGY - Common Medical Advice

General Information

Allergies are hypersensitive reactions of the body against usually harmless substances, e.g. dust, pollen, food, etc

Manifestations-

• Respiratory allergies: rhinitis, asthma or hay fever.
• Intestinal allergies: vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
• Skin allergies: mild skin reddening to urticaria, hives or dermatitis, Commonly observed in various areas of the skin including the eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)

Serious allergy could result in anaphylactic shock characterized by agitation, breathing difficulty and wheezing, fast heart rate, cold sweat, clammy skin, hives, abdominal cramps, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, collapse, convulsions, and if untreated, death. 

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of allergy are limitless and can affect any part of the body. They can cause a wide variety of distressing physical and psychological symptoms and, in many cases, both. They can mimic symptoms of other illnesses. It is impossible to list all the symptoms, which can be caused by allergic reactions or intolerances. Amongst those of which people complain are:

• Abdominal pain, catarrh, rhinitis, wheezing, exhaustion, swelling Visual disturbances, weeping or itching eyes, running nose, sneezing, sinusitis, ringing in the ears, sore throat, coughs, hoarseness, asthma, bronchitis and other breathing difficulties, palpitations, chest pains, nausea, faintness, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, urticaria, cramps, convulsions, pins and needles, numbness, abnormal menstruation, eczema, other skin complaints, mouth ulcers, arthritis, psoriasis, backache, pruritus, water retention, dark puffy circles under the eyes, debility, drowsiness, a feeling of being drugged, sweating unrelated to exercise, frequent urination or bedwetting, lack of libido, mental confusion, irritability or aggressiveness, depression, nightmares, hyperactivity, learning difficulties, inability to concentrate, nervousness, anxiety, clumsiness, food addictions, raised blood pressure, obesity, migraine, headaches, epilepsy, agoraphobia.

Advice to the Customers

• If the cause of allergy is known, avoid it as much as possible.
• If the allergy is caused by a drug, stop the use of the drug immediately and resume only after a physician has been consulted. The physician should be informed of any known drug allergy at each consultation.
• If the allergy-induced itch is severe, use calamine or other anti-itch preparations. Further scratching may exacerbate the symptom.
• Keep the home clean and allergen-free at all times.

Prescription Advice

• Instruct the patient on the medication and how to use it properly, i.e.name of the medication, frequency of dosage etc.
• In cases where the allergic symptoms are intense, instruct the patient to consult a dermatologist immediately.
• In the case of exacerbation despite treatment, instruct the patient to consult the dermatologist immediately.
• This exacerbation may lead to anaphylactic shock.
• Discuss Advice to the Customers thoroughly for more information on the prevention and management of allergy.