Allergies

Allergies are disorders of the immune system. Exposure to certain stimuli (known as allergens) causes the body to excessively activate antibodies, which is what causes symptoms such as a runny nose and inflammation of the membrane around the eyes. People can be exposed to allergens via inhalation, ingestion or contact with the skin.

The most common allergies are to naturally occurring, often seasonal, substances such as pollen, dust and pet dander. Also common are allergic reactions to the venom inside insects such as bees and wasps.

True food allergies are actually quite rare, affecting less than 4 percent of adults and around 7 percent of children. Many people who think they are allergic to a food are merely intolerant of it. This is an important distinction: Allergy symptoms are the result of responses in the immune system, whereas intolerance is caused by a lack of specific enzymes needed to digest a particular food. The two conditions are treated in very different ways.

There are a variety of tests that can be used to diagnose allergies. The most common involves testing the skin for responses to particular allergens.

5 Things You Need to Know

  1. A staggering 50 million Americans suffer from allergies and allergy-related diseases (such as asthma).
  2. Allergies cost the American healthcare system nearly $20 billion each year. Allergies cost U.S. businesses an estimated $250 million each year because they cause reduced productivity among workers.
  3. Many people who suffer from allergies are unaware that there are treatment options beyond taking over-the-counter antihistamines. Another viable option is immunotherapy (also known as allergy shots).
  4. Around 150 Americans die each year as a result of allergic reactions to food. Peanuts and other nuts cause the most severe reactions. Shellfish can also be quite problematic.
  5. People who suffer from allergies during the winter may be reacting to mold spores. Mold can survive in cold weather much longer than pollen can, and it can live indoors year-round.

3 Questions You Need to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the cause of my allergic reaction?
  2. How can I effectively manage my symptoms?
  3. Am I suffering from a food allergy or from food intolerance?

Also Known As: Seasonal Allergies, food allergy, allergens, allergic response, atopic allergy, serum sickness, serum disease, hypersensitivity reaction.

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