What exactly are allergies?

Allergies are reactions caused by the immune system as it responds to environmental substances that are usually harmless to most people. They may occur in response to a range of different material (called allergens), such as food, pollen, dust mites, animals, insect stings, or medicines.

What is an allergy in simple words?

The definition of allergy Allergy occurs when a person reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless to most people. These substances are known as allergens and are found in dust mites, pets, pollen, insects, ticks, moulds, foods and some medications.

How are allergies caused?

Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance — such as pollen, bee venom or pet dander — or a food that doesn’t cause a reaction in most people. Your immune system produces substances known as antibodies.

What is an allergy give an example?

An allergy occurs when the body overreacts to an allergen or ‘trigger’ that is typically harmless to most people. Examples of allergies include hay fever, asthma, eczema, hives and food allergy.

What is a person with allergies called?

Allergist: A doctor who diagnoses and treats allergy-related conditions. Allergy: A severe response to a substance or condition. It happens when your body produces and releases histamine or histamine-like substances.

How do you treat allergies?

Allergy treatments include:

1. Allergen avoidance. Your doctor will help you take steps to identify and avoid your allergy triggers.
2. Medications. Depending on your allergy, medications can help reduce your immune system reaction and ease symptoms.
3. Immunotherapy.
4. Emergency epinephrine.

What are the 3 most common allergies?

Many things can trigger allergies. The most common are pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander, insect stings, latex, and certain food and medications.

What are the most common causes of allergies?

Pollen is one of the most common causes of allergies in the United States. Pollen is a very fine powder produced by trees, flowers, grasses, and weeds to fertilize other plants of the same species.

How do I know if I have allergies?

When you’re exposed to an allergy trigger, known as an allergen, your immune system releases chemicals called histamines. This release of histamines is what causes allergy symptoms. Allergies and colds share some common symptoms, such as: sneezing. coughing. sore throat. runny nose. nasal congestion.

What you can do about allergies?

Allergy treatments include: Allergen avoidance. Your doctor will help you take steps to identify and avoid your allergy triggers. Medications. Depending on your allergy, medications can help reduce your immune system reaction and ease symptoms. Immunotherapy.

What should I take for allergies?

Medications that often can be safely used by people with significant allergies include nasal corticosteroids. In addition, antihistamines are very effective. The antihistamines include fexofenadine ( Allegra ), cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin) and diphenhydramine ( Benadryl ).