Allergies

Allergies are abnormal immune system reactions to typically harmless substances.  Your immune system mistakes the trigger as harmful to your body.  It then produces histamine which causes certain cells to release chemical into the bloodstream to protect the body.  The histamine is what causes a persons nose, throat, lungs, eyes, skin, and gastrointestinal tract to have an allergic reaction.  Every time a person is exposed to the same allergen, the same response is created.

The severity of the reaction can range from mild to severe.  Asthma attacks are usually a reaction to an allergen that has been breathed into the lungs.

Severe allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, can cause difficulty breathing, swallowing, dizziness, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat and even a loss of consciousness.  Peanut allergies often cause anaphylaxis.  Proper medication is required for successful treatment.

Allergies seem to be hereditary.  But, an offspring may not have the same allergy as the parent.  They just seem to inherit the chance of having allergies.

An allergist is an allergy specialist.  They can perform tests to confirm an allergy.  These tests can be a skin test or a blood test.

It is best to avoid the allergen, but if that is not possible, the doctor can treat your allergies with medications or shots.  But, if you have a food allergy, you will need to avoid that food altogether!

Allergy Medications