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An Allergy to Smoke Can Make a Bad Habit Even Worse. |
 In many cases, an allergy sufferer experiences an unhealthy reaction to something that is not by itself harmful and is considered by most people to be good. So if you have an allergy to milk, strawberries or kittens, those are all things we like and consider good parts of our lives. But because an allergy victim's immune system mistakes something good for something bad, it attacks that allergen which causes allergy symptoms that could make you quite sick.
An allergy to smoke is sometimes hard to detect because we know now that cigarette smoking is unhealthy anyway. Lots of people who are not allergic to smoke dislike smelling smoke and feel sick if they are exposed too much to second hand smoke. And, of course, the negative health effects of smoking on the smoker are well known to be devastating and in often fatal.
But someone who has an allergy to smoke goes through even more suffering when exposed to tobacco smoke. If you suspect that the harsh reaction you experience around tobacco is an allergy to smoke, its best to consult with your doctor to confirm it because the problem isn't going to get better on its own.
An allergy to smoke seems to be most prone to occur in certain groups. The very young, the elderly or people who are already suffering with other allergies, particularly asthma, are also more susceptible to developing an allergy to smoke. The most difficult thing about diagnosing an allergy to smoke is differentiating it from the large body of people who find cigarette smoke irritating and who experience mild reactions to smoke in the air. Just feeling a little sick or having your appetite ruined by cigarette smoke in the air does not necessarily constitute an allergy to smoke.
One signal that you may have an allergy to smoke is that this particular allergy often reacts in a similar way to other odors including perfumes that are particularly strong. If the same symptoms of your allergy to smoke flare up from other odor related allergy episodes, that may be a good indicator that you should be tested for a smoke allergy and take appropriate action to avoid experiencing those unpleasant allergy symptoms.
Other symptoms of an allergy to smoke include burning and watering eyes, excessive sneezing and coughing, sinus or lung congestion and in some cases a pounding headache. As is true of most allergies, you will usually notice extreme reactions to smoke because of your allergy to smoke quickly upon smelling it and those symptoms will stay with you long after the allergen is no longer in the atmosphere. If you must be exposed to smoke a lot and you suffer with an allergy to smoke, not only will you be miserable but you are in danger of more serious problems including asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis.
Of course, many people have negative reactions to tobacco smoke. While staying away from tobacco smoke is a good idea for anyone, if you have an allergy to smoke, the urgency becomes more serious. To determine if your problem with smokers is connected to an allergy to smoke, pay attention to whether your symptoms are much more severe than most people have being in a smoky environment. If your symptoms are overwhelming and without relief you could become itchy or begin to wheeze, that is an indication that you are allergic to smoke and not just reacting to an unpleasant smell.
Of ten people who are allergic to smoke that comes from tobacco also experience similar symptoms when exposed to any kind of smoke. If you notice the same allergic reactions when standing by a charcoal grill or toasting marshmallows at a campfire, that may be additional evidence that you are allergic to smoke and you should take appropriate action.
The most conclusive test that your reaction to smoke is the result of an allergy problem is to have your doctor or a qualified allergist test you for a smoke allergy. Getting tested for an allergy to smoke should not intimidate you. Since you know the allergy you suspect is troubling you, the allergist can focus the tests rather than testing for a wide variety of allergies. Often he or she will use a combination of skin prick testing and a blood test to confirm or disprove your allergy to smoke.
Either way, it is good to know what you have to deal with so you can avoid all situations where you could be exposed to smoke due to your allergy problem. If that is impossible, your allergist can also prescribe desensitization treatments to help your system overcome your allergy to smoke. But since tobacco smoke is universally bad for everyone, it is always smart to simply avoid it at all costs. You will live a happier and healthier life is you do.
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