| What is an Allergy | | | | food. Others which stimulate such allergy are food |
| Allergy is a reaction that occurs in individuals who are | | | | additives like coloring, preservatives and flavor |
| sensitive to certain substances such as cosmetics, | | | | enhancers. Allergy is basically the result of defective |
| animal hair, pollen food, medication or to certain | | | | reaction of the system's immunity, which responds to |
| climactic conditions like heat or sunshine that in others | | | | an allergen with the fabrication of antibodies as |
| may be harmless. An allergic reaction may come | | | | though the substance were harmful. Today, 1 in 12 |
| about anyplace on the body: in the eyes, on the | | | | children under the age of 6 show signs of food |
| epidermis, the lungs or the digestive tract. Although | | | | allergy and 1 in 25 have a verified food allergy |
| an allergy can arise at any time, symptoms suffered | | | | present. |
| in childhood tend to let up with time and many go | | | | Histamine Effects |
| away completely. An inclination to allergic reaction is | | | | Firstly, an allergic reaction increases the permeatation |
| mostly genetic, while the character of the allergy | | | | of the minor blood vessels making the fluid |
| might be different from generation to generation. | | | | component of the blood serum escape into the |
| The Genetic Factors | | | | tissues. Such a condition brings on blisters, puffiness, |
| Allergies, such as asthma, nasal allergy, hay fever, | | | | and irritation of certain tissues like the nose, the eyes |
| eczema and some types of allergic headaches incline | | | | or the epidermis. |
| to run in the family. One family member might suffer | | | | Secondly, it causes muscle spasm, particularly in the |
| from asthma whereas another might suffer from | | | | bronchi. This brings on heavy respiration and |
| eczema. Allergists have noticed a heritable inclination | | | | asthmatic attacks. In intense instances, sensitivity to |
| in acquiring allergy. When both parents suffer an | | | | insect stings, a nonhuman antitoxin serum or penicillin |
| allergy, every one of their children holds | | | | may bring on an anaphylactic reaction (unexpected |
| approximately a 75 % probability of acquiring one as | | | | shock) that may be life-threatening. |
| well. When only one parent suffers from an allergy, | | | | Approximately 15% of the population in the U.S. |
| chances are 50 % or less. | | | | suffers from some allergy or other. However, why a |
| Food Allergy | | | | specific allergy develops is yet a medical enigma. |
| Some allergies are caused by foods which contain or | | | | Although allergies cannot be completely cured, there |
| release histamine during the chemical transformation | | | | is available treatment which can build up resistance to |
| process. Such foods include tuna or other canned | | | | certain allergens. |