Unusual Allergy Facts

Consider some of the following unusual allergy facts that may leave you wanting to know even more.

1. Dogs were instrumental in discovering the existence of allergies.

French researchers back in 1902 were conducting an experiment with dogs that consisted of injecting them with an extract made from a sea animal. The first injection didn't cause any reaction but a week later, the scientists repeated the injection and this time, the dogs did have a severe allergic reaction, The scientists recognized that the dogs had become sensitized to the extract, and that their bodies responded accordingly. This was the first formally recorded example of allergies.

2. The time of day you take your shower can impact your allergic reaction.

That's because when you go outside during high allergy season, you may find pollen and other triggers getting stuck to your clothes, your body and your hair. That's why the best protection from your symptoms is to take a shower at night before getting into bed. This will allow you to wash your triggers away. This can help minimize any discomfort while you are sleeping.

3. You can rely on the sunshine to help lessen your allergies.

If you have a favorite antique area rug, upholstered chair or sweater that you love but you're worried because the item is old and may be moldy, don't despair. Some researchers suggest laying the item outside for the afternoon and letting the sun dry it out. This will help remove some of the allergens and help the item become less of a serious trigger.

4. You can't run away from most allergies.

If you have a serious allergic reaction to some of the seasonal triggers in the area in which you live and think that relocating to a completely new geographic location may be the answer, think again. In many cases, even if you leave one allergy behind, you're likely to develop a new one once you resettle somewhere else.

5. Allergy medications can become less effective over time.

You may wonder why the allergy medication that worked so well last year doesn't seem to offer such relief now. Some people say this could be because your body is getting used to the effects and so it's impact isn't as strong as it was in the past.


Sources:

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=30

National Jewish Health
http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/allergy/index.aspx
http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/allergy/causes/selective.aspx

Northwestern Health Sciences University
http://www.nwhealth.edu/healthyU/stayHealthy/allergy5.html
http://www.nwhealth.edu/healthyU/stayHealthy/allergy1.html