What Is An Allergy?

An allergy is the result of the body over-reacting to a foreign substance, known as an allergen. When the allergen comes into contact with a sensitive area such as the lungs, skin or nose, it causes chemicals to be released within the body which produces the symptoms knows as an allergy.

What Causes An Allergy?

The most common allergens include animal dander form the fur or cats and dogs and indeed can also include rabbits and other furry friends. Pollen can also be a problem, but the house dust mite is really the greatest enemy of the allergy sufferer.

Asthma, Eczema & Allergic Rhinitis
Asthma, Eczema and Allergic Rhinitis are serious Problems for hundred and thousands of people in Ireland and indeed millions world wide and are recognized as the most common conditions caused by allergies.

Symptoms can vary in severity, but usually include Asthma , coughing, wheezing and tight chest. Eczema which produces red rash, itching skin and small raised blisters.

Allergic Rhinitis the classic blocked or runny nose, runny watery eyes and of course sneezing.

Asthma is the most distressing and potentially dangerous of these conditions and severe cases can lead to hospitalization or even death. The problem is undoubtedly a big one and the severity and incidence of allergy is increasing all the time. Those unfortunate to suffer from it lose sleep at night and so feel tired and irritable in the morning and cannot function normally due to exhaustion and lack of ability to concentrate.

The Offender

There are many cause of allergy including animal dander, pollen and other irritants found in the air we breathe and the food we eat. But by far the most common household allergen is the droppings of the HOUSE DUST MITE

The House Dust Mite is a microscopic creature which is related to spiders and ticks and is found in every home no matter how scrupulously clean it is. They live in warm, moist conditions, usually found in mattresses, pillows and duvets. Their diet included dead skin flakes which shed constantly from our skin. As a result of their feeding habits their droppings contain a protein which triggers off a chemical reaction in the bodies of those of us who are sensitive to this protein. This is turn results in an allergic reaction which manifests itself as an attack of Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis or Eczema.

In recent times it has been evident that our living conditions, due to the installation of central heating and double glazing in our homes greatly helped to encourage the growth in numbers of the house dust mite population to the epidemic proportions it has reached today