How to Treat an Allergic Reaction
Avoid triggers! If you know you have an allergic reaction to peanuts, for example, do not eat them and go out of your way to avoid foods prepared with or around peanuts (see Food Allergy).
Self-care at home is not enough in severe reactions. A severe reaction is a medical emergency.
* Do not attempt to treat or “wait out” severe reactions at home. Go immediately to a hospital emergency department.
* If no one is available to drive you right away, call an ambulance for emergency medical transport.
* Use your epinephrine auto-injector if you have been prescribed one by your doctor due to previous allergic reactions (see “prevention” below).
Slight reactions with mild symptoms usually respond to nonprescription allergy medications.
* An oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Caution: These may make you too drowsy to drive or operate machinery safely. They can affect concentration and interfere with children’s learning in school. These medications should be taken for only a few days.
* For rashes, an antiinflammatory steroid cream such as hydrocortisone can be used.
For small, localized skin reactions, try cold, wet cloths or ice. Try applying a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel as an ice pack.
Monday, 30 August 2010
Natural Remedies for Allergic Reaction Treatment at Home
Natural Remedies for Allergic Reaction Treatment at Home
An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system becomes hypersensitive to dust, pollen, animal dander or plants. Certain foods or medications can also trigger allergies. A reaction may be a rash, sneezing, coughing, itchy or watery eyes, swelling or wheezing. Treatment for an allergic reaction can be done at home if it’s mild. Long term allergies may require a prescription while severe allergies require a hospital visit.
For tips to help relieve symptoms of an allergic reaction, see home treatment for:
* A severe allergic reaction. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, call911or other emergency services immediately.
* Itching or hives. Avoid further contact with whatever you think is causing the hives.
* A sore throat caused by postnasal drip. Gargle with warm salt water to help ease throat soreness.
* Hay fever symptoms. Take an antihistamine to reduce symptoms of itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; or a runny, itchy nose. Be sure to read and follow any warnings on the label. Don’t give antihistamines to your child unless you’ve checked with the doctor first.
* Allergies that are worse in damp weather. Mold may be the cause of allergies that get worse in damp weather. Mold produces spores that move, like pollen, in outdoor air during warmer months. During winter months, indoor molds can also be a problem.
* Indoor allergies. Newer, energy-saving homes that are built with double- or triple-paned windows and more insulation keep heat as well as allergens indoors.
* Allergies to a pet or other animal. When allergies are worse around pets, symptoms may be caused by your pet’s dead skin (dander), urine, dried saliva, or hair.
* Seasonal allergies. These are often caused by exposure to pollen.
For tips on how to treat dry and irritated skin, see the topic Dry Skin and Itching.
For information on how to treat an insect bite or sting, see the topic Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites.
Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment
Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:
* Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or tightness in the chest develops.
* Swelling of the throat, tongue, lips or face develops.
* Hives develop or get worse.
* Swelling gets worse.
* A skin infection develops.
* Symptoms have not improved after 1 to 2 weeks of home treatment.
* Symptoms become more severe or more frequent.
An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system becomes hypersensitive to dust, pollen, animal dander or plants. Certain foods or medications can also trigger allergies. A reaction may be a rash, sneezing, coughing, itchy or watery eyes, swelling or wheezing. Treatment for an allergic reaction can be done at home if it’s mild. Long term allergies may require a prescription while severe allergies require a hospital visit.
For tips to help relieve symptoms of an allergic reaction, see home treatment for:
* A severe allergic reaction. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, call911or other emergency services immediately.
* Itching or hives. Avoid further contact with whatever you think is causing the hives.
* A sore throat caused by postnasal drip. Gargle with warm salt water to help ease throat soreness.
* Hay fever symptoms. Take an antihistamine to reduce symptoms of itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; or a runny, itchy nose. Be sure to read and follow any warnings on the label. Don’t give antihistamines to your child unless you’ve checked with the doctor first.
* Allergies that are worse in damp weather. Mold may be the cause of allergies that get worse in damp weather. Mold produces spores that move, like pollen, in outdoor air during warmer months. During winter months, indoor molds can also be a problem.
* Indoor allergies. Newer, energy-saving homes that are built with double- or triple-paned windows and more insulation keep heat as well as allergens indoors.
* Allergies to a pet or other animal. When allergies are worse around pets, symptoms may be caused by your pet’s dead skin (dander), urine, dried saliva, or hair.
* Seasonal allergies. These are often caused by exposure to pollen.
For tips on how to treat dry and irritated skin, see the topic Dry Skin and Itching.
For information on how to treat an insect bite or sting, see the topic Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites.
Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment
Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:
* Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or tightness in the chest develops.
* Swelling of the throat, tongue, lips or face develops.
* Hives develop or get worse.
* Swelling gets worse.
* A skin infection develops.
* Symptoms have not improved after 1 to 2 weeks of home treatment.
* Symptoms become more severe or more frequent.
The First Untethered Spacewalk of All Time
This is must be the most known picture in the Internet and in the whole world. But it so great that it will never get old hence my choice to post it.
Some history just in case. The pictures depict American astronaut Bruce McCandless II who became the first to make an untethered spacewalk thanks to nitrogen jet propelled backpack called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) in 1984.
At about 100 meters from the cargo bay of the space shuttle Challenger, Bruce McCandless II was further out than anyone had ever been before "free-flying" to a distance of 320 feet away from the Orbiter.
MMUs are no longer used due to security problems, but astronauts now wear a similar backpack device in case of emergency.
Some history just in case. The pictures depict American astronaut Bruce McCandless II who became the first to make an untethered spacewalk thanks to nitrogen jet propelled backpack called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) in 1984.
At about 100 meters from the cargo bay of the space shuttle Challenger, Bruce McCandless II was further out than anyone had ever been before "free-flying" to a distance of 320 feet away from the Orbiter.
MMUs are no longer used due to security problems, but astronauts now wear a similar backpack device in case of emergency.
