Life Care Chiropractic, Rehabilitation & Medical Center

Test your knowledge about allergies with the following True or False statements. Click on True or False to find the correct answer.

1. Allergies can develop before you are born. True

Allergies can develop at any age, possibly even in the womb. They commonly occur in children but may give rise to symptoms for the first time in adulthood.

2. Heredity does not influence your risk of developing allergies. False

Your risk of developing allergies is related to your parents' allergy history (allergic conditions tend to cluster in families). If neither parent is allergic, the chance that you will have allergies is about 15%. If one parent is allergic, your risk increases to 30% and if both are allergic, your risk in greater than 60%.

3. Hay fever is the most common of the allergic diseases. True

Hay Fever (allergic rhinitis) is the most common of the allergic diseases. It affects one in every 5 Americans. Although childhood have fever tends to be more common, this condition can occur at any age and usually occurs after years of repeated exposures to allergic substances.

4. An allergic reaction to food can be induced by exercise. True

Exercise can induce an allergic reaction to food. The usual scenario is that of a person eating a specific food, and then exercising. As he exercises and his body temperature increases, he begins to itch, gets lightheaded, and soon develops the characteristic allergic reactions of hives, asthma, abdominal symptoms, and even anaphylaxis. The cure, actually a preventive measure, for exercise-induced food allergy is simple - not eating for at least two hours before exercising.

5. Very few people are allergic to stinging insects. False

Over 2 million Americans are allergic to stinging insects. Many of these people have severe allergic reactions with 50 to 150 deaths occurring each year from these stings, and up to a million hospital visits. For emergency medical information, please visit www.FocusOnFirstAid.com.

6. Dust mites thrive in cold, dry places. False

Dust mites thrive in warm, humid places. The ideal temperature for dust mites ranges from 65 to 80 degrees F. Since dust mites have no means of drinking, they are totally dependent on the humidity surrounding them for water. They live best at a relative humidity above 55%; so, watch it with the humidifier and carpet steamer! However, also be aware that monitoring the humidity really isn't sufficient to control dust mites. As the humidity falls, dust mites will retreat from the surface. However, even in very dry conditions, it can take quite a few months to eliminate the dust mite population. Additionally, there is the issue of food supply. Face it, they love us, our secretions, and the skin cells we shed. (The average human sheds up to 1.5 grams of skin particles per day. A gram is about the weight of a paper clip.) Plus, they fancy our feather pillows and stuffed animals that collect the stuff they feast on. The most favorable conditions for dust mite growth are found in the bedroom. Their favorite breeding grounds are mattresses, pillows, and box springs, as well as blankets, curtains, carpeting, and other fabric items in the room. For more, please read the MedicineNet.com Allergy Proof Your Home article.

7. The most well known indoor allergy is probably due to your cat. True

The most well known indoor allergy is probably due to the domesticated cat. The main allergen is a protein that is produced by the sweat glands (sebaceous glands) in the skin and appears in the skin flakes or dander that are shed from cats. The allergen is also found to a lesser degree in the fur, saliva, and urine. Even with a past history of tolerance to cats, it is possible for a person with an allergic tendency to develop a sensitivity after constant exposure. For more, please read the MedicineNet.com article, Pet Allergens.

8. Some cat breeds cause allergies, and some don't. False

A cat is a cat is a cat. The allergy is to the entire species. So, do not get fooled into buying an expensive "hypoallergenic" cat. Cats with less fur may have the same amount of dander as cats with more fur. For more, please read the MedicineNet.com article, Pet Allergens.

9. 80% of the population is allergic to poison ivy. True

80% of the population will develop a skin rash when contacting the leaves of the poison ivy plant. The severity of the rash varies from person to person. People between the ages of 5 and 20 are the most vulnerable to severe forms of skin reaction. Older persons generally have less severe reactions. 10% of people develop very severe skin reactions with major swelling and itching.

10. In order to develop a latex allergy, you must be exposed to latex products. True

Some people are born with a genetic predisposition to be allergic to latex. However, repeated exposure to latex is necessary for an allergy to develop. If a person is repeatedly exposed to latex, especially products that are "dipped," the risk of latex allergy substantially increases. Therefore, persons at risk are health care workers exposed to latex products (such as gloves and catheters), people who require frequent surgery or catheter use, and workers in the manufacturing or distribution of latex products. For unknown reasons, people who have surgeries of the spine or urinary tract have a much higher risk of latex allergy.