All About Allergies
What are Allergies?
An allergy is a specific reaction of the body’s immune system to a normally harmless substance, one that does not bother most people. People who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one substance. Types of allergens that cause allergic reactions include:
• Pollens
• House dust
• Food
Pollen Allergy
Each spring, summer, and fall, tiny pollen grains are released from trees, weeds, and grasses. These grains hitch ride on currents of air. Although the mission of pollen is to fertilize parts of other plants, many never reach their targets. Instead, pollen enter humans through nose and throat, triggering a type of seasonal allergic rhinitis called pollen allergy. Many people know this as hay fever. Of all the things that can cause an allergy, pollen is one of the most common. Many of the foods, medicines, or animals that cause allergies can be avoided to a great extent. Although Insects and house dust are escapable, however, when pollen count is high even staying indoors, with windows closed may not avoid pollen.
Dust Allergies
Rather than a single substance, so-called house dust is a varied mixture of potentially allergenic materials. It may contain fibers from different types of fabrics and materials such as:
• Cotton lint, feathers, and other stuffing materials.
• Dander from cats, dogs, and other animals.
• Bacteria.
• Mold and fungus spores (especially in damp areas).
• Food particles.
• Bits of plants and insects.
• Other allergens peculiar to an individual house or building.
Food Allergy
Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by the body’s immune system. Food allergy refers to a particular type of response of the immune system in which the body produces what is called an allergenic, or IgE, antibody to a food. Allergic reactions to food can cause serious illness and, in some cases, if not treated properly, death. Therefore, if anyone has a food allergy, it is extremely important for him/her to work with his/her healthcare provider to find out what foods cause allergic reaction.
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