Relieving allergies at home

We have all been there: feeling a-okay one minute then sneezing, wheezing and feeling all itchy the next. Triggers, however, vary—dust, pollen, pet dander, certain types of food.

“An allergy is the body’s reaction to a foreign substance,” explained Dr. Pauleen Faustino, Medicard Philippines Inc.’s Onsite Clinic Management and Health Promotion head. “In the home, common allergens—substances that trigger an allergy—include animal dander, dust mites, insect bites, medicines and food.”

According to Dr. Faustino, symptoms of allergies vary depending on the allergen. Animal dander or dust mites can make one go in a sneezing or coughing fit, cause swelling of the eyes and redness of the face. Insect bites can make the affected area swell. Food allergies, or anything taken by mouth such as medicines, can make one break out in rashes or hives, cause skin redness and swelling of the eyes and/or lips.

It therefore helps to be well prepared even at home for those allergy attacks.

“If the allergy is manifested in the skin, for example in an insect bite, a cold pack may help reduce the swelling and pain. Calamine creams may also help sooth any skin irritation,” said Dr. Faustino. It is important to wash the area of the bite with soap and water as soon as possible, just like we do when we have a wound.

“For other symptoms, if there is an available medicine—anti-histamine—at home, taking it may help relieve symptoms. It is of course important to immediately remove the allergen to avoid further symptoms,” she continued.

Severe allergic reactions can cause compromise of the airways making it difficult to breathe. “This can be manifested as shortness of breath. More life threatening if it would involve loss of consciousness and a drop in the blood pressure,” Dr. Faustino said.

Local allergic reactions can be observed at home. “However if symptoms are more generalized, for example having the rash on the entire body, swelling of the face, especially the lips and eyes, and as mentioned, having shortness of breath, best to seek immediate medical consultation,” she further explained.

Medicard has free-standing clinics all over the metro as well as in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Clark, Rizal and Cebu that are ready to serve its members—and even nonmembers —who may need to consult a doctor in the event of allergy attacks. The health maintenance organization’s doctors are board-certified while its nurses and clinic staff are well-trained, giving patients an assurance that they are under expert care.