Allergy Basics

Fluffy kittens, lush lawns and shady trees are just some of the simple pleasures in life which can cause your allergyX allergy
An allergy is the exaggerated response of the immune system to a foreign substance that is generally safe and poses no threat to the human body. symptoms to flare up. Therefore, it is important for you to identify the causes of your allergy and what to do about them, so you can enjoy more of the world around you.

What Are Allergies?

An allergyX allergy
An allergy is the exaggerated response of the immune system to a foreign substance that is generally safe and poses no threat to the human body. occurs when the immune systemX immune system
The body’s defense system against infections and foreign substances. mistakenly attacks foreign substances that are generally safe such as dust mitesX dust mites
A common trigger of indoor allergies. These microscopic mites live in the fibers of pillows, mattresses, blankets and carpets, and survive off of our dead skin cells. The inhalation of dust mite droppings can cause allergic reactions which include a runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. , moldX mold
A parasitic, microscopic fungi which floats in the air like pollen. Mold spores are a common trigger for allergies, and grows well in damp areas of the home, such as a basement or bathroom. It can also thrive in an outdoor environment, such as damp grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch, or under… , pet dander and pollenX pollen
A fine, powdery substance (typically yellow in colour) consisting of microscopic grains that are discharged from the male part of a flower (also known as stamens), or from the male cone of a tree. for something dangerous and attacks it. These typically harmless substances are also known as allergens.

What Causes Allergy Symptoms?

Allergens can enter your body when you take a breath, or when rub your nose or eyes, and cause your immune systemX immune system
The body’s defense system against infections and foreign substances. to trigger a hypersensitive reaction. Therefore, in order to do away with the substances that your body perceives to be harmful, it produces antibodiesX antibodies
A specialized protein that is part of the immune system. It is produced by white blood cells, and circulates in the blood. Antibodies seek and attach to foreign proteins, microorganisms or toxins in order to neutralize them. such as the inflammatory mediator known as histamineX histamine
An inflammatory mediator that is released by the immune system after being exposed to an allergen. When an allergen enters your body, mast cells that are located in the nose and sinus membranes release histamine. Histamine then attaches to receptors on nearby blood vessels, causing them to… .

When the mast cells in your body release histamine, it triggers an allergic reaction which includes symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, an itchy nose or throat, nasal congestion and sinus pressure.

DID YOU KNOW?

To rid itself of an allergenX allergen
A foreign substance which your body perceives to be harmful; can trigger an allergic reaction. , or allergens, your body experiences a number of allergic reactions which, collectively, are known as an allergic cascade.^* This causes your body to then release a few different inflammatory mediators. If an allergen, or allergens, enter your body, the mast cells in your body will then release an inflammatory mediator known as histamineX histamine
An inflammatory mediator that is released by the immune system after being exposed to an allergen. When an allergen enters your body, mast cells that are located in the nose and sinus membranes release histamine. Histamine then attaches to receptors on nearby blood vessels, causing them to… . HistamineX Histamine
An inflammatory mediator that is released by the immune system after being exposed to an allergen. When an allergen enters your body, mast cells that are located in the nose and sinus membranes release histamine. Histamine then attaches to receptors on nearby blood vessels, causing them to… attaches to the receptors on blood vessels, causing them to dilate. In addition to that, histamine also binds to other receptors located in the nasal tissues, causing allergyX allergy
An allergy is the exaggerated response of the immune system to a foreign substance that is generally safe and poses no threat to the human body. symptoms which include swelling, as well as an itchy and runny nose.

How Clarityn ® Helps Reduce Allergy Symptoms

a flower bouqet with, "there are over 200 different allergens out there," superimposed on top

*Like those from pets, pollenX pollen
A fine, powdery substance (typically yellow in colour) consisting of microscopic grains that are discharged from the male part of a flower (also known as stamens), or from the male cone of a tree. , dust and moldX mold
A parasitic, microscopic fungi which floats in the air like pollen. Mold spores are a common trigger for allergies, and grows well in damp areas of the home, such as a basement or bathroom. It can also thrive in an outdoor environment, such as damp grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch, or under… .

Clarityn® is an antihistamineX antihistamine
A type of medication that is used to alleviate allergy symptoms by blocking histamine receptors. that is able to mitigate the allergic cascade triggered by an allergenX allergen
A foreign substance which your body perceives to be harmful; can trigger an allergic reaction. , or allergens.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 200+ DIFFERENT ALLERGENS

How Are Allergies Diagnosed?

In some cases, it could be easy for you to determine the triggers of an allergic reaction. For example, if you sneeze more frequently when you walk into a dusty room or loft, or if you experience allergyX allergy
An allergy is the exaggerated response of the immune system to a foreign substance that is generally safe and poses no threat to the human body. symptoms that start to act up when you are exposed to allergens.

But if you’re unsure as to what the cause of your allergy is, you can opt to see an allergist. An allergist is specially trained to identify allergy triggers, and how to avoid them. During an appointment, the allergist may: ¹

Take down your personal information and medical history to help you understand your symptoms, and their possible causes better. Therefore, it is recommended for you to jot down some notes about your family history, lifestyle and potential triggers before your appointment.₁
Perform a physical examination, paying special attention to your nose, throat, eyes, ears, chest and skin.¹
Conduct a skin test, patch test and/or blood test to help determine the allergens that you are particularly sensitive to.¹

DID YOU KNOW?

Asia Pacific region has the highest prevalence of Allergic RhinitisX Rhinitis
An inflammation in the mucous lining of the nose. compared to the other regions in the world.²

Reducing Your Exposure to Airborne Allergens

Apart from using Clarityn® to help mitigate severe allergyX allergy
An allergy is the exaggerated response of the immune system to a foreign substance that is generally safe and poses no threat to the human body. symptoms, it is also important for you to minimise your exposure to allergens. Read on below for a few simple tips on how to reduce your exposure to indoor and outdoor allergy triggers effectively.

Haze

A haze is an atmospheric phenomenon which causes dust, smoke and other dry particulates to impair the clarity of the sky. These aerosols usually arise from complex chemical reactions that occur as a result of sulphur dioxide gases emitted during combustion converting into small droplets of sulphuric acid. In Southeast Asia, the haze is characterised by a large-scale air pollution problem that is particularly debilitating from July and October. As a result, the haze causes adverse health and economic impacts in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, and to a lesser degree, the Philippines and Thailand.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUTDOOR SEASONAL ALLERGIES

Indoor Allergies

Indoor allergiesX Indoor allergies
Can be characterized by an exaggerated response of the immune system to allergens (see Allergens) commonly that are commonly found indoors, such as mold spores, pet dander, cockroaches or dust mites (also known as perennial allergies). The symptoms of an indoor allergy tends to last longer… are caused by immune systemX immune system
The body’s defense system against infections and foreign substances. reactions to allergens such as dust mitesX dust mites
A common trigger of indoor allergies. These microscopic mites live in the fibers of pillows, mattresses, blankets and carpets, and survive off of our dead skin cells. The inhalation of dust mite droppings can cause allergic reactions which include a runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. , moldX mold
A parasitic, microscopic fungi which floats in the air like pollen. Mold spores are a common trigger for allergies, and grows well in damp areas of the home, such as a basement or bathroom. It can also thrive in an outdoor environment, such as damp grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch, or under… and pet dander. An indoor allergy can be experienced at any time during a year, but could be experienced more frequently during the monsoon season, when people spend more time indoors. As with outdoor allergiesX outdoor allergies
Can be characterized by an exaggerated response of the immune system to allergens (see Allergens) that are commonly found outdoors, such as trees, grass or weed pollens, and mold spores, amongst others (also known as hay fever or seasonal allergies). The symptoms of an outdoor allergy tends… , it could be difficult for you to avoid being exposed to allergens. However, do take comfort in knowing that implementing some of these simple allergy prevention tips can help you to do away with allergy triggers and enable you to enjoy the comforts of your home all-year round..

LEARN MORE ABOUT INDOOR ALLERGIES

REFERENCES

Allergy Diagnosis. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Accessed November 30, 2017.
Bousquet J, Khaltaev N, Cruz AA, et al. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008 Update (in collaboration with the World Health Organization, GA2LEN* and AllerGenX AllerGen
A foreign substance which your body perceives to be harmful; can trigger an allergic reaction. **). AllergyX Allergy
An allergy is the exaggerated response of the immune system to a foreign substance that is generally safe and poses no threat to the human body. . 2008; 63 (86): 8–160.