Allegra & Allergy

Allegra is an antihistamine having the generic name "fexofenadine". This drug has already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in July, 1995. The most important ingredient of the drug is histamine that is responsible for many signs and symptoms of the allergic reaction. It has brought a great relief to the woes and worries of people suffering from the seasonal allergy symptoms. To name a few problems would be hay fewer, sneezing, running nose, red eyes and similar allergy symptoms.

Histamine is released from histamine-storing cells and then attaches to other cells that have receptors for histamine. The attachment of the histamine to the receptors causes the cell to be "activated," releasing other chemicals that produce the effects that we associate with allergy, e.g., sneezing.

Fexofenadine blocks one type of receptor for histamine (the H1 receptor) and thus prevents activation of H1 receptor-containing cells by histamine. Unlike the first generation antihistamines, fexofenadine and other second-generation antihistamines do not readily enter the brain from the blood, and, therefore, they cause less drowsiness.

Allegra drug comes in preparation of both the forms tablets and capsules for the oral administration. Inform the heath care professional if the symptoms do not improve in a day or two. When you feel to be drossy or dizzy do not drive, use machinery or any thing that needs mental alertness. Make it a rule not to get up or sit down quickly in case you are an old person as this reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting. The medicine has to be stored at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C as well need to be protected from the moisture.

Allergy

An error in an individual's immune system leads to an occurrence of an allergy. The immune system is the main mechanism in the body which fights against: viruses and bacteria which are categorized as foreign invaders.

The memory which is present in the immune system is very good with which it remembers the enemies it has earlier come in contact with because of the antibodies which are classified as protein molecules. Allergic reactions are a result of the immune system unable to identify the harmless substances with which it comes in contact with and reacts with the substance along with a reaction.

The substances which force a reaction to occur are defined as allergens for e.g. animal dander, dust mites, mold spores, and cockroaches present in the house. Reactions caused due to allergens like: latex, insect venom, food and medications occur very rarely.

There are some irritants such as tobacco smoke, strong odor from cleaning products, and perfumes which make some symptoms worse and may trigger asthma but cannot be categorized as allergens.

A genetic predisposition must be experienced by a person for him to be allergic to anything. To an allergen there are two exposures required which are: the primary exposure and the secondary exposure.

Various people show a different reaction to various substances. The immune system, genetics and the environment play an important part.