Allergies Health Topics

Featured Conditions and Diseases

Allergies

Allergies occur when the body reacts to a substance that is usually harmless (like dust, pollen, or medications). This eMedTV article discusses the different types of allergies, their potential causes and symptoms, and the available treatment options.

Cigarette Smoke Allergy

Cigarette smoke allergy is caused by the numerous toxic chemicals and irritants found in cigarette smoke. This eMedTV article discusses cigarette smoke allergy in detail and links to other information on allergies.

Cockroach Allergy

This page of the eMedTV library provides an in-depth look at cockroach allergy, including tips to help prevent it. This common indoor pest allergy is caused by certain proteins found in cockroach saliva and feces.

Dust Mite Allergy

Dust mite allergy is an allergy to a microscopic organism that lives in the dust found in all dwellings. This eMedTV article discusses dust mite allergy in more detail, including things you can do to limit your exposure to dust mites.

Food Allergies

A food allergy occurs when a food triggers an abnormal response by the body's immune system. This eMedTV article explains the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance, and provides other information about food allergies.

Grass Pollen Allergy

Grass pollen allergy is a more difficult type of allergy to prevent because it is regional and seasonal. This eMedTV article describes this type of allergy in detail, including types of grasses that cause it and prevention strategies.

Hay Fever

Hay fever, also known as pollen allergy, is one of the most common allergies in the United States. This eMedTV resource provides detailed information on hay fever, including symptoms, how it differs from a cold, and why it is hard to prevent.

House Dust Allergy

This segment of the eMedTV library discusses house dust allergy in detail, including what it's made of. It's not just dirt, but a collection of particles that can cause allergies. Strategies for minimizing allergens in the home are also offered.

Latex Allergy

This eMedTV page discusses latex allergy (a reaction to certain proteins in latex rubber) and explains how it can result in symptoms such as skin rash, hives, and itching. This page also offers tips on minimizing your exposure to latex.

Mold Allergy

A person can develop an allergy to the molds and yeasts that are commonly found indoors and outdoors. This eMedTV segment offers an in-depth look at the specific types of molds that cause allergies, as well as several ways to prevent mold allergy.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

As this eMedTV page explains, some doctors acknowledge multiple chemical sensitivity as a disorder caused by exposure to chemicals in the environment. This page highlights both sides of the debate over this controversial condition.

Pet Allergy

As this eMedTV article explains, many people believe pet allergies are triggered by the fur of cats and dogs. However, the major pet allergens are actually proteins in the saliva of animals. This part of the Web site discusses pet allergy in detail.

Pollen Allergy

This eMedTV article covers pollen allergy, a type of seasonal allergic rhinitis. This page describes different sources of pollen (such as sagebrush and ragweed), as well as pollen allergy symptoms (like sneezing and coughing) and treatment options.

Ragweed Allergies

This eMedTV page covers ragweed allergies, providing information on when ragweed pollen levels are at their highest (mid-September in many areas of the country) and ways to lower your exposure to pollen (like not hanging your clothes outside to dry).

Sick Building Syndrome

Sick building syndrome refers to acute health effects that may be linked to time spent in a building. This eMedTV article offers an in-depth look at the condition, including symptoms, possible causes, and measures that can help prevent the problem.

Tree Pollen Allergy

This eMedTV page offers an in-depth look at tree pollen allergy, including trees that commonly cause allergies and tips to avoid exposure. Tree pollen can be hard to avoid because trees release large quantities that can be distributed for miles.

Featured Medications

Allegra

This eMedTV article discusses Allegra, a prescription antihistamine used to treat allergies and chronic hives. The article includes information about Allegra's uses, dosages, side effects, and precautions.

Allegra-D

Allegra-D, which is composed of an antihistamine and decongestant, is used to treat symptoms of hay fever. This eMedTV segment explains how Allegra-D works and discusses its effects, dosing information, and possible side effects.

Astelin

Astelin is a prescription drug that is licensed to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis. This eMedTV segment offers dosing information for the drug, explains how it works, and lists possible side effects that may occur.

Beclomethasone

Beclomethasone is a medicine that is used for reducing inflammation in people with asthma or allergies. This eMedTV page further describes the two different beclomethasone products, including information on dosing and their possible side effects.

Beconase

Beconase is a nasal spray that is used for treating allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. This eMedTV resource further explains what Beconase is used for, describes how the medicine works, and offers information on when and how to use the nasal spray.

Clarinex

The prescription medication Clarinex treats allergy symptoms as well as chronic hives and itching. This eMedTV Web page discusses how the drug works and medical conditions to discuss with your doctor before taking it, such as liver disease.

Clarinex-D

This page on the eMedTV Web site explores Clarinex-D, a prescription medication licensed to treat hay fever symptoms. This article describes how the drug works and also lists available strengths and things to tell your doctor before taking it.

Claritin

Claritin is a common non-prescription drug used to treat a range of allergy symptoms. This page of the eMedTV Web site provides an in-depth look at the drug, including how it works, dosing information, side effects to be aware of, and more.

Claritin-D

Claritin-D is an over-the-counter drug that is licensed to treat nasal allergy symptoms. This article from the eMedTV Web site provides a more in-depth look at Claritin-D, including its uses, effects, and dosing guidelines.

Cromolyn

Cromolyn is a prescription medicine that is used for the treatment of asthma and allergies. This eMedTV page lists the various forms of cromolyn that are available, explains how the medicine works, and offers general dosing information for the drug.

Flonase

Flonase is a prescription nasal spray that is used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and itching. This eMedTV page describes how Flonase works to treat allergic and non-allergic rhinitis and explains what you should know before using the drug.

Flunisolide

Flunisolide is a drug used for preventing asthma attacks and treating an irritated nose due to allergies. This eMedTV Web page describes flunisolide inhalers and nasal sprays in more detail and explains the effects of the medication.

Nasacort AQ

Nasacort AQ is a nasal spray that is used for treating seasonal and perennial nasal allergy symptoms. This eMedTV article offers a more in-depth look at Nasacort AQ and its effects, precautions and warnings, and dosing information.

Nasalide

Nasalide is a prescription nasal spray licensed to treat seasonal and perennial nasal allergies. This eMedTV resource explains what you should know before using Nasalide, offers dosing information for the drug, and lists possible side effects.

Nasarel

Nasarel is a nasal spray that is prescribed to treat perennial and seasonal nasal allergy symptoms. This eMedTV page further explains what Nasarel is used for, lists possible side effects that may occur, and includes dosing information for the drug.

Nasonex

Nasonex is a type of nasal spray that is used to treat allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps. This eMedTV article provides a detailed description of the drug, including how it works, possible side effects, dosing information, and more.

Omnaris

Omnaris is a prescription nasal spray that is used for treating common nasal allergy symptoms. This eMedTV article explains how Omnaris works, describes the effects of the medicine, and offers information on how and when to use the nasal spray.

Rhinocort Aqua

Rhinocort Aqua is a prescription nasal spray used to treat seasonal and perennial nasal allergy symptoms. This eMedTV resource discusses specific uses for the drug, explains how to use the nasal spray, and lists possible side effects that may occur.

Singulair

Singular has been approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (runny, stuffy nose) and asthma. This eMedTV Web page presents a detailed description of the drug, including how it works, possible side effects, dosing information, and more.

Veramyst

Veramyst is a prescription nasal spray that is used for treating common nasal allergy symptoms. This page on the eMedTV site explains how Veramyst works and further explores its effects, dosing information, and warnings and precautions.

Xyzal

Xyzal is a prescription medication that helps alleviate allergy symptoms and treat chronic hives. This eMedTV Web page describes the drug in more detail, providing information about how it works, possible side effects, and general precautions.

Zyrtec

Zyrtec is used to treat sneezing, runny nose, and other allergy symptoms. This eMedTV resource offers a complete overview of Zyrtec, including information on the side effects, dosing guidelines, and other uses of this antihistamine.

Zyrtec-D

Zyrtec-D is used to treat nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and a number of other allergy symptoms. This eMedTV article offers a complete overview of this combination drug, including how it works, possible side effects, and more.

Featured Other

Dust

As this eMedTV article explains, dust prevention can involve removing carpeting, washing sheets at high temperatures, and using air filters. This part of the Web site provides several more tips on preventing dust in your home.

Tartrazine

As this eMedTV article explains, tartrazine (also known as Yellow No. 5) is a food additive that may cause some people to experience itching or hives. This page discusses food allergy to tartrazine and explains the labeling laws for this additive.