Cockroach Allergy
By: Paul FryattTotal Views: 232, Word Count: 516,
Cockroaches renowned as vermin which fill human dwellings are insects which have been around for hundreds of millions of years. Cockroaches are known to cause or worsen several allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis in addition to carrying several bacteria which could be transmitted to people. The German and American cockroaches are most likely to cause allergies out of thousands of species.
Cockroaches, especially in warmer climates are found all over the world. Cockroaches could be found even in colder climates, particularly where humans live. You can find cockroaches indoors and outdoors and some species rely on humans for their survival. Generally, cockroaches could be found in places like bathroom and kitchen near sources of food and water. They feed on table oddments, pet food and garbage, but could eat other materials such as paper goods and other forms of starch too.
Causes of Cockroach Allergy
The major cockroach allergens known as frass come from droppings. These allergens are only likely to be airborne with activities such as vacuuming or sweeping and tend to be heavy, similar to dust mite allergen. The airborne cockroach particles set up an allergic reaction in individuals with allergic antibodies against cockroaches by entering the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes and lungs.
Diagnosis of Cockroach Allergy
Cockroach allergy, with the use of allergy testing is diagnosed in the same way as other allergies. Skin testing is the most precise and least costly way to diagnose cockroach allergy, though this allergy can also be diagnosed by testing the blood for IGE to cockroach.
Treatment
There are 3 key steps involved in the treatment of cockroach allergy, i.e. medications, evasion and immunotherapy. Evasion of cockroach normally involves removal of food and water sources with common sense cleaning techniques such as taking out the garbage, cleaning up scraps of food and keeping pet food in sealed plastic containers. If there is a noteworthy cockroach infestation, the use of commercially obtainable insecticide sprays or bait traps might be helpful or a professional exterminator might be required.
If evasion is not sufficient to prevent the symptoms entirely, then medications might be used. The selection of medication for cockroach allergy is based on the symptoms which occur, rather than based on the specific allergen which caused the symptoms. Finally, allergen immunotherapy with cockroach allergen has been known to be helpful for the treatment of several allergic diseases caused by cockroach allergy and in several cases, lessens or eliminates the need for allergy medications.
Cockroaches are one of the most bothersome vermin found in homes. They cause damage to food, books, stain furniture and could be a health hazard for people with asthma. Studies have shown a strong connection between the presence of cockroaches and the increase of allergy symptoms and asthma.
Eliminating all the insects in the house is the best way to deal with a cockroach allergy. Stay out of your house, if possible, for few days to lessen your exposure to the toxic chemicals used to kill cockroaches or hire a professional pest control person.
About the Author
Paul Fryatt, M.D. has been in this profession from last 24 years. He made great achievements in his profession. He made an initiative to open a Family Allergy Clinic in 1985 to help his patients who were not reacting to traditional allergy treatment programs. Moreover he has explored the treatment to overcome allergy symptoms to reclaim quality of life through his convenient, no-shots therapy
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