SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ALLERGIES:

• What makes me feel so miserable?
Your body has a natural defense system that works 24/7 to defend and protect you against everything deemed to be harmful. Sneezing, congestion, itching and red eyes are symptoms caused by your body's reaction to an allergen.

• Allergens & causes of allergic reactions:
Most allergens are part of our everyday life and we might not even be aware that they are responsible for causing our discomfort. Typical allergens include:

• Feathers (Did you know: the fear of feathers is called pteronoophobia)
  
• Hay
  
• Pollen
  
• Dust (Did you know: the fear of dust is called amadhophobia)
  
• House dust mites
  
• Pet dander
• And even some household chemicals

• The function of anti-histamine medication:
Anti-histamines do not prevent histamine from being released by the mast cells in the body, but they do prevent histamine from binding to H1 receptors, blocking the chain reaction that could lead to an allergic reaction.

• Anti-histamines and drowsiness:
Anti-histamines typically cause drowsiness. More recently, this side-effect has been overcome through researching and developing newer molecules.

Anti-histamines are now classified as first generation, initial second generation and newer second generation.
One would expect newer generation products to have fewer side effects.

• How your body works:
Allergens set off an allergic reaction which causes your body to release histamine to protect itself. The histamine binds to the H1 receptors which trigger the symptoms of the allergy. This results in nasal stuffiness, sneezing and mucous discharge, inflammation of the airways, etc.

• Different types of allergic reactions:
Hayfever:
Symptoms: Allergic conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye) itchiness and runny nose.
Rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal membranes):
Symptoms: Sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching and runny nose.
Urticaria (allergic skin reaction):
Symptoms: Red, raised, itchy skin rash.