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HEALTH & BEAUTY / NEWS AWARENESS
This April marks Allergy Awareness Week – and with an estimated 21 million allergy sufferers in the UK, you’re bound to know someone living with one. Plus the new season’s colours and trends
highlight the diffi culties people with allergies experience. There are an estimated 21 million allergy
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sufferers here in the UK. Anybody living with an allergy, whether it is their own, their child’s or their partner’s, will know how big an impact it can have on everyday lives. Simply put, an allergy is the response
of the body’s immune system to normally harmless substances, such as pollens, foods, and house dust mites. Whilst in most people these substances (allergens) pose no problem, in allergic individuals their immune system identifi es them as a “threat” and produces an inappropriate response. Each year the number of us suffering an
allergy is increasing, with as many as half of all those affected being children. Children born into families where allergies
already exist have a higher than average chance of developing allergies themselves. In the UK today, children have a one in fi ve
acked by Allergy UK, Allergy Awareness Week 2017 (25th April-1st May) aims to raise awareness about allergies and
predisposition to develop an allergy. However, that risk is doubled if one parent has an allergy (particularly if that parent is the mother). If both parents have allergies, the risk is increased to 60-80%. This increased tendency for individuals to develop allergies because of their genes is known as being atopic.
What causes allergies
Not only can the symptoms be unpleasant and distressing, but identifying and avoiding triggers can be hit-and-miss too. Allergic reactions are caused by substances in the environment, which are known as allergens. Almost anything can be an allergen for someone. Proteins are organic substances that contain hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, and form an important part of all living organisms. They are also found in food, along with fats, carbohydrates and other substances. However, only proteins can cause true allergic reactions.
The most common causes of allergic reactions are:
DID YOU KNOW? RECENT RESEARCH BY ALLERGY UK REVEALS:
• 92% of those living with severe
allergies are concerned about eating out. • 82% worry about going on holiday.
• Over half (52%) say their allergy impacts their social life. • 32% admit it impacts their self-confi dence.
• Pollen from trees and grasses. • Proteins secreted from house dust mites. • Foods such as peanuts, milk and eggs.
• Pets such as cats and dogs, and other furry or hairy animals such as horses, rabbits and guinea pigs.
SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: • Feeling light headed or faint. • Breathing diffi culties, such as fast, shallow breathing. • Wheezing.
• A fast heartbeat. • Clammy skin.
• Confusion and anxiety.
• Collapsing or losing consciousness. • There may also be other allergy symptoms, including an itchy, raised rash
The INDEX magazine
www.indexdigital.co.uk 53
• Medicines (these may cause reactions by binding to proteins in the blood, which then trigger the reaction).
• Insects such as wasps and bees. • Moulds.
Reaction time
At the very serious end of the allergy scale, an allergic reaction isn’t just something that might make somebody very uncomfortable or unwell, but is a very real threat to their safety. The number of people, including children, arriving at hospital with severe allergic reactions has been steadily rising. Quick and appropriate treatment means the vast majority will make a full recovery, but according to NHS fi gures, there are still around 20 anaphylaxis related deaths each year. Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially
life-threatening reaction to a trigger such as an allergy. It’s also known as anaphylactic shock. It usually develops suddenly and gets worse very quickly.
Raise your ALLERGY
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