Allergies
Allergies are abnormal immune system reactions to typically harmless
substances. Your immune system mistakes the trigger as harmful to your
body. It then produces histamine which causes certain cells to
release chemical into the bloodstream to protect the body. The histamine
is what causes a persons nose, throat, lungs, eyes, skin, and gastrointestinal
tract to have an allergic reaction. Every time a person is exposed to the
same allergen, the same response is created.
The severity of the reaction can range from mild to severe. Asthma
attacks are usually a reaction to an allergen that has been breathed into the
lungs.
Severe allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, can cause difficulty
breathing, swallowing, dizziness, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat and
even a loss of consciousness. Peanut allergies often cause anaphylaxis.
Proper medication is required for successful treatment.
Allergies seem to be hereditary. But, an offspring may not have the
same allergy as the parent. They just seem to inherit the chance of having
allergies.
An allergist is an allergy specialist. They can perform tests to
confirm an allergy. These tests can be a skin test or a blood test.
It is best to avoid the allergen, but if that is not possible, the doctor can
treat your allergies with medications or shots. But, if you have a food
allergy, you will need to avoid that food altogether!
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