Pittwater Life April 2017 Issue

Focus on Allergy Week
Seeing red spots? To increase
awareness of the
impact of allergy in our community
key organisations are
promoting World Allergy Week
2-8 April, encouraging supporters
to wear a spot of red
or holding an event at their
home, work or school.
This year’s focus is hives
(also known as urticaria)
which affect approximately
one in six people sometime
during their life.
Most common in children,
hives often starts as an itchy
patch of skin that turns into
swollen red welts.
Individual lumps usually go
in minutes to hours, however
some people can have them
every day for weeks.
Common causes of hives
include:
n Infection (particularly in
young children)
n Contact with animals or
plants
n Allergic reactions to food,
latex, antibiotics or pain
killers (such as aspirin and
arthritis tablets).
Sometimes insect stings,
food additives or preservatives
can also trigger hives.
Stress can make established
symptoms worse, but is a very
rare cause of hives.
Most hives resolve within
a couple of weeks however
there are some things you
can do to reduce symptoms
such as:
n Avoid aggravating factors
such as excessive heat, spicy
foods or alcohol.
n Avoid aspirin as it often
makes symptoms worse.
n Medicines like antihistamines
are often used to
reduce the severity of the itch.
n Severe throat swelling requires
early use of medication
and attention by your doctor
or in hospital.
n Other medicines (like cortisone
tablets) may be needed if
symptoms are severe.
n Occasionally, going on a
restricted diet will help. – LO
Health & Wellbeing
Celebrating 25 Years
APRIL 2017 43