DUST MITES Dust mites are tiny, microscopic bugs that are closely related to ticks and spiders. They feed off skin cells she by humans and thrive in warm, humid environments such as coastal Australia, where you will find them in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpet. Signs of dust mite allergy include sneezing and runny nose. Many people with dust mite allergy also experience signs of asthma, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing. TOP TIP Avoid fabric and/or feather couches and bedding, and opt for leather, plastic or wood furniture instead. EGGS Eggs are one of the most common food allergens for children, with between one and two percent of children suffering from egg allergy. Egg allergy symptoms usually occur a few minutes to a few hours after eating eggs or foods containing eggs. Signs and symptoms range from mild to severe and can include skin rashes, hives, nasal congestion, and vomiting or other digestive problems. In rare cases, eggs can cause anaphylaxis. TOP TIP Unsweetened applesauce makes a great substitute for eggs when baking things such as muffins and cakes. PET ALLERGIES Pet allergies commonly affect both adults and children, causing symptoms such as swelling and itching of the nose and eyes, redness of the skin after being licked by a dog, coughing, shortness of breath, or wheezing within 15 to 30 minutes of exposure to allergens, or rash on the face, neck, or chest. Pet allergies can also trigger severe asthma attacks in asthma sufferers. It is important to note that the pet hair itself is not an allergen, but rather the proteins that end up in their dander (dead skin), saliva, and urine that cause the allergic reaction. TOP TIP Invest in a good quality air purifier to help reduce airborne allergens in the home. SHELLFISH Unlike a lot of the other common food allergies, approximately 60 percent of people with shellfish allergy experienced their first allergic reaction as adults. There are two kinds of shellfish: crustacea (such as prawns, crab and lobster) and molluscs (such as clams, mussels, oysters and scallops). Prawns, crab and lobster cause most shellfish allergies. It is possible to be allergic to crustacea and still be able to eat molluscs, however, since most people who are allergic to one kind of shellfish usually are allergic to other types, allergists usually advise their patients to avoid all varieties. TOP TIP If you suffer from severe shellfish allergy and are attending a barbeque where meat and shellfish are being cooked on the same hotplate, it is best to completely avoid the meat, as cross contamination can trigger an allergic reaction. POLLEN 9 Pollen from grasses, weeds or trees can trigger symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hayfever) and asthma. Seeing as pollen seasons can last for several months, exposure is difficult to avoid – unless you plan on hibernating for half the year! Some simple ways to prevent or reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis include wearing sunglasses to help keep allergens out of your eyes, avoiding going outside on windy or stormy days and keeping doors and windows closed at home and in the car. TOP TIP Natural products such as saline nasal sprays and neti pots can be used in conjunction with prescribed medication to provide effective hayfever relief. PEANUTS 10 It is estimated that close to three in every one hundred children in Australia suffer from a peanut allergy. Around 20 percent of children will outgrow this allergy, but children who suffer from a severe peanut allergy will likely carry this through to adulthood. Peanut allergy has posed such a big problem, that most schools are now nut-free zones, with all nut products such as peanut butter, hazelnut spread, nut muesli bars and baked goods made with almond meal or hazelnut meal now banned from lunchboxes, for the safety of peanut allergy sufferers. TOP TIP Health food stores sell a range of great tasting nut-free butters, such as sunflower butter, which provide a yummy alternative to peanut butter. pm 5 6 7 8 General Hea lth Allergic Contact Dermatitis Allergic contact dermatitis is a common delayed type of skin allergy, Gold Coast dermatologist Dr Michael Freeman explains. Allergy is very individual (i.e. a person may be allergic to something, that can another person can use with no problems). It can occur at any time, even if you have been using a product for many years or just a few weeks. With this form of dermatitis, the rash appears eight to 24 hours after contact and lasts for several days, and sometimes more. Common causes of allergic contact dermatitis are: • Nickel (nickel sulfate hexahydrate), frequently used in jewellery and clasps or buttons on clothing • Fragrances used in foods, cosmetic products, insecticides, antiseptics, soaps, perfumes and dental products • Hair dye • Chromate, which is found in cement and used in tanned leather • Rubber chemicals, also called accelerators, which can be found in gloves • Glues and coatings such as epoxy resin • Preservatives in cosmetics and skin care products, such as formaldehyde, quaternium 15 and methylisothiazolinone 24 Pindara Magazine Autumn 2015
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Four
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