COUGHS, SNEEZES AND WHEEZES

New measures are necessary to tackle the UK’s “allergy epidemic”, an influential House of Lords committee said today.

:: Around one in four people in the UK are affected by an allergy at some point in their lives.

:: Each year, the numbers of those affected increase by 5%.

:: Allergies cost the UK NHS in England £1 billion a year in terms of medication and treatment, the Science and Technology Committee’s report said.

:: The definition of allergy is an adverse reaction by the body to a particular substance, according to NHS Direct.

:: Any substance which triggers an allergic reaction is known as an allergen. Allergens contain protein, and it is this which causes the reaction.

:: An allergic reaction is caused by the body’s immune system reacting to an allergen as if it were harmful. Antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) are released in the immune system to fight off the allergen. This antibody causes other blood cells to release more chemicals, such as histamine, which cause the symptoms of the reaction.

:: The most common forms of allergens include grass and tree pollen, house and dust mites, pet skin flakes or hair and food, such as milk, seafood and nuts, according to NHS Direct’s health encyclopaedia.

:: But there are also some allergens, which do not contain protein. One such example is the drug penicillin. Non-protein allergens can cause a reaction if they bind to a protein in the body.

:: The most common symptoms of allergy include sneezing, runny nose, severe wheezing, coughing, and a rash, according to Allergy UK.

:: Allergic reactions do not necessarily happen the first time a person comes into contact with the allergen, because the body has to develop a sensitivity to something before it can become allergic to it.