| Allergic reactions occur when the body's immune | | | | common class of allergy medications are known as |
| system, the collection of processes and parts | | | | antihistamines, since they serve to block or inhibit the |
| responsible for fighting infections, detects a foreign | | | | activity of histamine. Many sufferers of mild allergies |
| substance in the body and launches an assault on the | | | | can find relief over the counter since many |
| invader as if it were a bacteria or virus. | | | | antihistamine drugs are available without a |
| For this reason, the typical allergy symptom will be | | | | prescription. |
| akin to that which occurs when the body attempts | | | | For those who can not find allergy relief through over |
| to fight off a cold or flu, such as watery eyes, runny | | | | the counter medication, a trip to the doctor is |
| nose, and sneezing. Common substances that elicit | | | | necessary. There are a number of things that a |
| this overreaction include pet dander, tree and grass | | | | physician can do to help. A number of powerful |
| pollen, cigarette smoke, insect stings, certain foods, | | | | prescription based medications based on |
| and just about any other item that the human body | | | | antihistamines can help. Others may require the use |
| can come into contact with. However, some allergic | | | | of more powerful drugs such as steroids. Steroid |
| responses can go far beyond what normally occurs | | | | allergy treatments are typically administered via an |
| when the body is fighting a pathogenic invader. Many | | | | injection or through a nasal spray or mist. |
| food allergies, with the peanut allergy being one of | | | | For those who do not find relief from any of the |
| the most common, can cause a massive immune | | | | allergy medication that their physician described, the |
| system response in certain individuals that can cause | | | | next step is usually to visit an allergy specialist. An |
| such severe swelling that the individual may not be | | | | allergist usually would put the patient through a |
| able to breathe. | | | | number of tests to try to localize the substance that |
| These massive allergic reactions can even be fatal. | | | | is causing the allergic reactions to occur. |
| Fortunately for allergy sufferers, there are a number | | | | Once isolated, it may be possible to either treat the |
| of allergy relief medicine options that can be used to | | | | allergies more effectively by tailoring the medications |
| treat the disorder with varying degrees of success. | | | | that are used or by simply having the patient avoid all |
| Most allergies are caused by the chemical histamine, | | | | contact with the substance. Another option is to use |
| which works to expel particles from the body via | | | | gradual exposures to the allergen in order to gradually |
| increased nasal and eye secretions as well as through | | | | decrease the degree to which the patient is allergic |
| sneezing and coughing. That is why the most | | | | to the substance. |