Allergy (Food And Cross Reactions)
If the symptoms are pronounced and the suspicions of food allergy are well founded, a diagnosis by a specialist in allergic diseases will be necessary. Allergy testing with either a prick-test or a RAST (blood test) ... [... more]
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Allergy (Food)
Almost one third of the population omit certain foods from their diet or their family's diet because they believe they will cause an allergic reaction. But in fact, only about one third of children suffer allergic ... [... more]
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Allergy (Hay Fever)
Drops containing sodium cromoglicate (eg Clarityn allergy eye drops, Optrex allergy eye drops) or nedocromil sodium (Rapitil eye drops) should be used regularly, as with nasal cromoglicate products, to prevent the ... [... more]
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Allergy (House Dust Mite)
Corticosteroids (or 'steroids') work to reduce the amount of inflammation within the airways, reducing their tendency to contract. They are usually given as inhaled treatment, eg beclometasone, although sometimes ... [... more]
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Allergy (Hypersensitivity)
After this change, there is an allergic reaction every time the body is exposed to the allergen. The allergen sticks to the antibodies on the surface of the allergy cells. This coupling causes the granula (little ... [... more]
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Allergy (Pets)
Corticosteroids (or 'steroids') work to reduce the amount of inflammation within the airways, reducing their tendency to contract. They are usually given as inhaled treatment, although sometimes oral steroid tablets ... [... more]
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Asthma (Reducing Your Exposure To Triggers)
In some patients with chronic, severe asthma, some foods may exacerbate the condition, but identifying the culprits can be difficult. In severe cases, people may be admitted to hospital for an exclusion diet (eating ... [... more]
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Coeliac Disease (Gluten Allergy)
Complications of coeliac disease are rare. They include infertility in women, difficulties during pregnancy, autoimmune diseases (thyroid disease, diabetes and some types of liver disease), thinning of the bones ... [... more]
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Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is a disaccharide, which means that it is composed of two other sugars bound together. In order for lactose to be absorbed, it must be split into those two smaller sugars. This split is performed by an enzyme ... [... more]
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Patch Testing For Skin Allergies
Patch testing should be done on a skin site where the dermatitis is not apparent. The allergens are mixed with a non-allergic material (base) to a suitable concentration. They are then placed in direct contact with ... [... more]
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Solar Urticaria
When exposed to light, the skin cells of someone with solar urticaria release potent chemicals (including histamine), causing their blood vessels to open and fluid to collect within the skin. Their skin feels itchy ... [... more]
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Lactose Tolerance Test
If the level of blood sugar does not rise this may mean lactose is not split into galactose and glucose. This is often due to a lack of a certain enzyme (lactase), which breaks down the lactose. This problem is ... [... more]
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