Allergies/intolerances

House dust mites are ubiquitous in homes and workplaces – with health consequences for many allergy sufferers.

In addition to swelling and redness of the skin, bee and wasp stings can also cause general allergic reactions.

Products containing latex, such as gloves, balloons or condoms, can produce allergic reactions and even cause a cross-reaction with foods.

Although side effects are common with drugs, they are only sometimes due to allergy or or intolerance.

A food allergy is based on an immune reaction by the body to vegetable or animal proteins.

In food intolerance, the body does not form antibodies but reacts to a food with symptoms.

Sufferers react to one or more types of pollen, most often to grass. Typical symptoms are sneezing attacks, runny nose and streaming eyes.

Moulds can attack nearly all materials and develop especially in damp places. Sufferers from mould allergy experience allergic runny nose, streaming eyes, cough and shortness of breath.

Sensitisation to allergens from cats, dogs, horses and rodents are the most common. The allergens bind to dust particles.