Allergy Information 
Causes, Symptoms, Cures of Allergies

Allergy -  What Causes Alergy Outbreaks - General Information

An allergy is a reaction by the body's immune system to substances perceived as harmful to the body, usually protein in nature. The immune system is important because it protects against disease causing germs, viruses and bacteria. People who have an allergy  have an immune system that also reacts to harmless material, such as pollen, as if it were a threat.

When a person has an allergy to a substance, his first encounter with the allergen can cause the immune system to form antibodies which release chemicals such as histamines to counter the allergens. These histamines are responsible for most allergy symptoms including running nose, itchy eyes and throat, skin rashes, asthma, hives, nausea, diarrhea, and anaphylactic shock.

How Serious Is An Allergy

Although most allergy reactions produce symptoms of a head and chest cold, highly allergic people can face a life-threatening shock as the result of being stung by a bee, wasp, hornet or even by the injection of penicillin or a blood transfusion.

Allergy - How Do Allergens Enter The Body

There are many different things that can cause allergy type reactions. These include things found outdoors, indoors, and in the food we eat. Allergens may be present in medications, plants, insect venom, animals, certain metals, etc.

Allergy causing substances enter the body through different routes, such as:

• direct contact such as brushing against the leave of a poison ivy plant
• prolonged exposure to certain metals such as nickel used in costume jewelry
• inhaling the offending allergen such as pollen, new furniture, and smoke
• eating certain foods such as wheat, milk, shellfish and nuts
• certain drugs taken orally, intramuscularly or intravenously
• insect stings

How Is An Allergy Diagnosed - Symptoms of Allergy

Usually an allergy is diagnosed by your doctor by taking a thorough history of the presenting problem including the symptoms you have, family history of the same or similar problems, emotional and social conditions, recreation habits and possible exposure to certain allergy causing agents.

People with an allergy frequently have family members that are hypersensitive. The hypersensitivity does not have to be to the same allergy causing agent.

Skin testing is the most common way to pinpoint a allergy causing substance. A small amount of the suspected allergen is scratched on the surface of the skin of the forearm or upper arm. A reaction such as redness or swelling indicates a positive result. Most times, several allergy agents are tested at the same time.

Allergy Treatment

 The best treatment for any allergy is avoidance of the causative agent. It is simple to avoid poison ivy or strawberries or penicillin. However, if the problem is caused by dust or pollen, then the treatment for the allergy becomes more complex.

Antihistamines such as benadryl are available over the counter at any drugstore. These medications control some of the milder allergy symptoms. For the more severe allergy cases, your doctor will have to prescribe medications. The corticosteroid drugs are anti-inflammatory drugs administered orally, by injection, nasal spray or topical application available by prescription only. They are very effective in controlling and treating allergy symptoms.

 See related allergy information:

 Allergy Treatment - First Find Cause, Then Treatment
Allergy Cures - Trying Homeopathy For Allergies
Asthma Information - Symptoms, Causes, Medications