What are allergies?

The topic of allergies has become routine in our lives, and certainly most everyone has an idea of what an allergy is. Allergies are so common a subject in fact it seems acceptable to discuss your allergies at a cocktail party with strangers.

According to About.com, an allergy is an abnormal reaction by a person’s immune system against a normally harmless substance. A person without allergies would have no reaction to this substance, but when a person who is allergic encounters the trigger, the body reacts by releasing chemicals which cause allergy symptoms.

However, just because there is a cause and effect between exposure to a substance and the development of symptoms does not always mean that a person is allergic to that substance. For example, medications have known and expected side effects; a person experiencing one of these side effects is not necessarily allergic to that medication.

What happens during an allergic reaction?

During an allergic process, the substance responsible for causing the allergy, or allergen, binds to allergic antibodies present on allergic cells in a person’s body, including mast cells and basophils. These cells then release chemicals such as histamine and leukotrienes, resulting in allergic symptoms.

Watch a video demonstrating the allergic response from About.com.  Be prepared for a commercial at the beginning.  Also, copy and paste the

How do Allergies Start?

The allergic person can make allergic antibodies, against a variety of allergens, including pollens, molds, animal danders, dust mites, foods, venoms and medications. This occurs through a process called sensitization, where a person’s immune system is exposed to enough of the allergen to make the body produce allergic antibodies to that substance.

With later exposures, that same allergen binds to its corresponding IgE on allergic cells, and the body reacts with symptoms of allergies. Allergic symptoms can vary somewhat with the type of allergen and route of exposure (airborne pollen exposure may cause different symptoms than eating a food to which you are allergic).

Learn how to avoid allergic triggers and avoid specific food allergens from About.com.

When and Why do People Develop Allergies?

It is unknown why some people develop allergies and some don’t. Allergies seem to run in families, and in some cases family members can share allergies to specific foods or medications. It appears that the allergic response was once meant to protect the body against parasitic infections, although now seems to be an abnormal response to non-infectious triggers. Allergies can occur at any time during our lives, but are more common to occur during childhood or young adulthood.

Learn more how you can possibly prevent the onset of allergies and asthma from About.com.

When to contact a doctor

Do relentless sneezing fits leave you desperate to alleviate the misery? First go-to is your doctor: Your doctor will likely suggest an antihistamine, nasal spray, or decongestant. If you’re concerned about drowsiness or nasal irritation, or if typical remedies don’t put a dent in your suffering, alternatives are worth trying.

Allergist recommendations from John R. Cohn, MD, chief of the adult allergy section, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University

Allergy shots: “Not enough people who could benefit from allergy shots consider them. They may help if you don’t respond to usual treatments because they reduce your sensitivity to allergens instead of only treating symptoms. I find that about 80% of patients see an 80% improvement.”

Medical Rx
Shots once or twice a week for several months in gradually increasing doses. You will need maintenance shots less frequently. For most people, treatment usually lasts about 3 to 5 years.

Related online articles about specific allergies

• Drug and Medicine Allergies
• Food Allergies
• Insect Allergies
• Nasal Allergies/Hay Fever
• Skin Allergies

Online medical resources

Google Health Mayo Clinic Medline Plus WebMD

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