Hand rashes

Hand rashes

doing the washing-up, my hands tendto break out in an itchy rash of red blisters.My pharmaeist says it's dennatitis, but what does this mean?

Dermatitis is a very general term, used for
any type  of Skin inflammation. Your symptoms probably fall into the category of contact dermatitis- a reaction to something in
direct contact with your skin. One obvious possibility  would be an allergy to the brand of washing-up liquid you are using, although there is a variety of other irritants that could also becontributing to the problem.
You may find that your symptoms disappear if you are scrupulous about wearing plastic washingup gloves, preferably with a
cotton liner, or if you change to a different detergent. If not, considerother possible irritants - metal iewellery, woollen gloves, hand
creams, bath soap and contact with pets affect many people. Occasionally foods such as raw chicken or raw fish cause symptoms.
Good hand care can be a help, too. Wash your hands in lukewarm water, use a mild, unperfumed soap and dry well. Remove any
rings and bracelets before doing housework,taking a bath or washing your hands, and
don't allow your hands to soak in water. If the problem persists, consult your doctor.

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Do's and Don'ts for dealing with allergies

dealing with allergies

Do try to identify and avoid allergens.
Do stay indoors on dry, windy days and in the morning in spring and summer when pollen levels are high, if you suffer from hay fever.
Do avoid chemical irritants, such as perfume, household cleaners and chlorinated pool water.
Do dust and vacuum frequently - every day if possible. Vacuum your mattress when you do the bedroom.

Don't clutter your house with ornaments that collect dust.

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How drugs help

Allgery sufferes can find relief from several types of medication.

How drugs help

- Antihistamines counter the effects of body chemicals that are responsible for causing allergy symptoms.
- Decongestant tablets or nose-drops relieve nasal and sinus congestion by narrowing blood vessels.
- Bronchodilators are inhaled directly into the air passages and provide immediate relief from
rcspirmry sympwms by widening the bronchial tubes. They can also be used for prevention.
- Steroid nasal sprays and inhalers reduce and prevent respiratory symptoms and are very safe as only  amonmts of the drug enter the bloodstream.Tablets are also used.
- Sodium cromoglycate eye drops, powder or spray can prevent respiratory symptoms.

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Findind the cause

Findind the cause

 You may well have an allergy, but it is also possible that whatever symptoms you are experiencing could have another cause, so it is important to see your doctor for diagnosis.
Once other possibilities have been ruled the process of trying to identify allergies begins. The first step will be self observation.Your doctor will probably ask about the timing of your symptoms. Are they seasonal,for example, or do they occur all year round?
Are they worse in the moming or at night? Places that affect you can also be a giveaway.Do the symptoms occur more at home or at
work? Indoors or outside? In town or in the country? In houses where there are pets?

If the results are inconclusive your doctor may suggest laboratory tests.Two kinds are used  skin tests and a blood test known as RAST (radioallergosorbent test) or CAP (a newer version if the RAST test). Both are available on the NHS and although none is foolproof, they can often help to identify the offending substance or substances.
In skin testing, tiny amounts of suspected allergens are pricked into the skin. If you areallergic, your skin will become irritated or develop a weal. The most reliable skin tests are those for pollen, dust, moulds and other airbome allergens. Some food allergens alsoshow up very well skin tests for fish, shell fish and nut allergies (which can be very violent) are usually extremely reliable. Other
food reactions, however, may yield less clearcut results. Skin tests are simple to perform
and cause only minimal discomfort. The procedure is considered entirely safe, even
for children, and there is no danger of a seriousrallergic reaction occurring, however violent the allergy itself.
Blood tests cause a little more discomfort,and are more expensive and often less sensitive than skin tests. However, the new CAP procedure is more sensitive than the RAST test and is replacing it in many laboratories.

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Allergy and intolerance

Allergy and intolerance

These are medical terms used to indicate the  mechanism by which the disorder occurs. True food allergy results from the production in the body of abnormal allergic antibodies to particular substances in food. Babies who are allergic to cow's milk, for example, have allergic antibodies to milk circulating in their blood. Every time the antibodies detect cow' s milk, they go into action against it, causing allergic symptoms.

By contrast, people who suffer from food intolerance do not have allergic antibodies in their blood. In many cases the extract mechanism of the problem remains a  my stery but in others a cause can be identifield babies who cannot tolerate cow's milk, for example, lack an enzyme needed to break down milk sugar. In either case, the child may well grow out of the problem.In older children and in adults both allergies and intolerances tend to remain for life.

Food allergies and food intolerance can produce similar symptoms, although intolerances are generally much less sever in their effects. Reactions including eczema, asthma and rhinitis are typically signs of an allergic condition rather than an intolerance. In practical terms, the real differences between allergies and intolerances are not very great. Avoiding trigger substances is the key to staying wellin either case. Problem foods are often the same: dairy products, citrus fruit,eggs, wheat, nuts, cheese,lchocolate, fish and strawberries.Thesymptoms from coffee, red wine and chemical, additives may show an intolerance but not an allergy.

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