Three hundred years
ago in certain parts of Africa, if a man had a rash or a serious cough, it
would have been thought to most likely be a spiritual attack. A hundred years
ago, it would most likely be thought to be an infection and perhaps maybe still
a spiritual attack. However, in the present day; a continuous sneeze,
persistent itching and a whole lot of other illnesses can now be traced to a wide
range of causes; from a simple bacterial infection to a complex and maybe
untreatable viral infection to a whole lot of others causes. However, a vast
majority of these simple illnesses can now be traced to a simple negative
reaction by the body to something it does not like, simply called an Allergy.
An Allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction by the body to
foreign substances that in similar amounts and
circumstances may not affect other people and the substance that causes the
allergic reaction is simply referred to as Allergen and an allergen may be a number
of things; dust, fur, a particular type of food, bites from particular insects
and certain drugs to mention a few. An allergen varies from person to person
meaning that what causes an allergic reaction in Mr. A may not affect Mr. B at
all and this is a major reason why it is very important to know ones specific
allergens.
Some symptoms of allergies may include reddening of the
eyes, mild and severe itching, runny nose, skin infections and even asthma attacks.
Allergies may be deadly in some instances leading to conditions like
anaphylactic shocks which may in turn lead to death. Allergies as simple as
they may seem contribute a whole lot to worldwide deaths as a result of
ignorance, carelessness and the lackadaisical attitude of majority towards
their allergens.
The best way to
handle allergies is to prevent them, a man should learn what is allergens are
and avoid them. However, due to the imperfection of man and his inability to
have a hundred percent control of his environment, allergens may not be totally
avoidable therefore people should try to learn more about the nature of their
allergies and their respective first aid treatments. For example, a man who
gets breathing difficulties when exposed to dust or a damp environment should
try as much as possible to avoid dusty environments and damp and moldy places
as mould spores could irritate him and set up a toxic reaction in his system,
he should also get face masks, inhalers and over the counter drugs for his
condition just in case. Allergic symptoms may however persist in some cases; it
would then be advisable to seek out a professional medical practitioner to
confirm if it is really an allergy and how best to treat it.
Allergic reactions
affect a high percentage of the population and the health system apart from
providing cures can also help the society by the frequent enlightenment of the
general masses in order to be more conscious of this individualistic natural
selection process of the body and perhaps, they may reduce the hospital visits.
Pope Jay
