| Before we discuss common allergies and symptoms, | | | | wasp sting), dust mites, mold spores, medications |
| you might find it helpful to have a little background. | | | | (penicillin, salicylates, local anesthetics, sulfonamides), |
| An allergy is a specific reaction of the body's immune | | | | even latex rubber. |
| system to a normally harmless substance, one that | | | | Common Symptoms |
| does not bother most people. Those people who find | | | | Symptoms of allergies are classified by degree of |
| themselves dealing with allergies will often find they | | | | severity, including mild, moderate, and severe allergic |
| are sensitive to more than one substance. | | | | reactions. Most people experience relatively mild |
| Common Allergies | | | | symptoms, such as watery eyes, itchy skin, a runny |
| There are many types of allergies. The most | | | | nose, coughing, and hives. These types of allergy |
| common are seasonal allergies which result from | | | | symptoms can usually be controlled by using an |
| certain trees, plants, or pollens (birch trees, ragweed, | | | | antihistamine. There are several over the counter |
| rye grass and timothy grass) in the air at certain | | | | antihistamines, as well as others you can only get |
| times of the year. Approximately 35 million Americans | | | | with a prescription. You may also want to consider |
| are allergic to pollen (also commonly referred to as | | | | getting an allergy shot. |
| hay fever). Pollen is a powder made by flowering | | | | For other sufferers, the allergic reaction is moderate. |
| plants and trees. Though most people tend to think | | | | In these cases, the reaction spreads to other parts |
| of pollen season as spring, pollen grains can be in the | | | | of the body. For instance, you may experience |
| air in the spring, summer, and fall, depending on the | | | | difficulty breathing. Antihistamines, steroids, and |
| type of tree, grass, or weed. | | | | immunotherapy can all held remedy the effects. |
| People can also be allergic to some foods, particularly | | | | While very rare, severe allergic reactions do exist. |
| peanuts, shellfish, milk, fish, wheat and soy. If you're | | | | Generally these are the result of food allergies. |
| unsure which food allergens are giving you trouble, a | | | | Peanuts, milk, and eggs are the most common. |
| visit to your physician or allergist can uncover the | | | | Symptoms include swelling of the face, abdominal |
| guilty culprits. An allergist can perform tests to | | | | pain, cramps, hives, and angioedema, which are hives |
| identify and isolate any specific sensitivity you may | | | | inside the throat. Immediate medical attention is |
| have, whether or not they're food related, and the | | | | generally required for symptoms of a severe allergic |
| severity of your sensitivities. In addition, since some | | | | reaction. Often a shot can help offset the reaction. |
| allergies can be life threatening, the allergist can | | | | While there is no cure, common allergy symptoms |
| provide you with instructions on life saving measures | | | | (inflammation, rashes, hives, etc.) can be treated. The |
| to be taken in the event of a severe allergy. | | | | best treatment of all, of course, is simply to avoid |
| Other common allergies include animal dander (animal | | | | those factors that trigger an allergy attack (easier |
| hair, cockroach calyx), insect stings (bee venom, | | | | said than done). |