Introduction  

     Aaaaachoooo!  

     Have you ever started sneezing because your room is dusty or your dad just cut the grass? 

     Do cats make your eyes get red and watery? 

     Does drinking milk or eating ice cream make your stomach do flip-flops? 

     If so, you might have an allergy. Keep reading to find out more about what causes people to have allergies.

Causes of Allergies

       An allergy happens when a person has an overreaction to something in their environment that is not harmful to most other people.

      The most common things that trigger allergic reactions are dust mites, pets, pollen, insect bites, molds, foods, and medications. My website will mostly focus on pet allergies and food allergies.

      If something makes most people feel sick, that is NOT an allergy. For example, if you overeat lots of junk food and you start to get cramps and an upset stomach, that is not an allergy! That's just eating an unhealthy diet!

     Also, if you get a small red bump after you get stung by a bee, that is also NOT an allergy. Most people will have that same common reaction to a bee sting. But if your skin suddenly swells up or your throat becomes so tight you can't breathe, then you should get help immediately to treat your body's allergic reaction.

Problems Caused by Allergies

         Many problems caused by allergies are more annoying or uncomfortable instead of dangerous. The most common things that happen when someone is having an allergic reaction are sneezing, itching, runny nose, red or swollen eyes, sore throat, and bumps or a small rash on the skin.

      However, even mild or minor reactions caused by allergies should be treated either with medication or by avoiding the cause of the allergies, so that you can live more comfortably and keep your allergies from getting out of control.

Life-or-Death Problems

      Some problems caused by allergies are very dangerous or even life-threatening. If an allergic reaction causes excessive (a lot of) swelling, especially around your throat or mouth, you need to get help! If an allergic reaction causes wheezing or difficulty breathing, seek out emergency medical treatment. You will need to talk with your doctor about medicines or inhalers to help your breathing return to normal.

     Some problems caused by allergies can be deadly. Anaphylactic shock can be caused by a severe allergic reaction. Anaphylactic shock causes the airways to tighten so you cannot breathe. Your blood pressure may suddenly drop and your pulse may become super weak or super fast. 

    During anaphylactic shock, you need to be immediately treated with an EpiPen. You need to call 9-1-1 and go to the emergency room. Anaphylactic shock that is not treated can cause death in less than fifteen minutes, but with quick treatment a person can make a full recovery.

Your Immune System

      Your immune system is the part of your body that fights germs and infections. For example, your immune system might help your body fight a cold virus. To fight a virus, your immune system makes antibodies, which are special proteins that fight the virus. When you have a cold your immune system might make you cough or sneeze or have thick yellow or green gunk, which might be your body's way of getting rid of the virus.

     Sometimes your immune system may have a problem and get confused, so it fights the wrong thing. Your immune system might overreact by trying to fight something it doesn't really need to fight. 

     For example, cat fur really isn't a germ that your body needs to fight. For most people, their immune system does not react just because a cat is nearby. However, if a person has a cat allergy, their immune system overreacts to try to protect their body from the cat fur by making you sneeze, or by making your eyes red and watery.

Pet Allergies

        One of the most common allergies is pet allergies. You might be allergic to your dog or cat. Or you might not even know you are allergic until you go to your friend's house and start sneezing and getting red eyes because they have cats for pets.

      You might need to find a new home for your pet if you sneeze uncontrollably and get itchy red eyes whenever you are around your pet. However, you may be able to adapt and make some changes so that you and your pet can live together and keep your allergies as controlled as possible.

      Pet allergies are caused by proteins on your pet. These proteins may be found in your pet's fur, skin, urine (pee), or saliva (spit). For example, if your skin gets all red and bumpy after your cat licks you, you may be having an allergic reaction to the proteins in your cat's saliva. So if that happens, don't let your cat lick you!

Controlling Pet Allergies

      If you don't want to get rid of your pet, you may be able to take some steps to control your pet allergies. Pet dander is tiny flakes from your pet's skin or fur. Dander in a pet’s fur frequently is the cause of allergic reactions, so bathing your pet can help control allergies by controlling the dander.

     Sometimes your pet's fur traps pollen or mold that causes an allergic reaction. So another way to help control your pet allergies is to keep your pet indoors.

     Urine is another cause of pet allergies. So make sure the cat litter box is frequently cleaned and kept in a place that you can avoid.

     Finally, if you are allergic to your pet you should definitely keep your pet out of your bedroom. And you should definitely wash your hands whenever you touch your pet.

Food Allergies

     Another common type of allergy is food allergies. Almost all food allergies come from these nine types of food: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish (shrimp, lobster, and crabs), tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, and pecans), peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.

     So if you know or think you might have a food allergy, it is very important to read the label for the ingredients in the food you eat.

Reactions to Food Allergies

      Just like other kinds of allergies, food allergies can cause different kinds of reactions. Some are mild or minor, like a tingling feeling on your face or tongue or a slightly upset tummy.

    Some food allergies are more dangerous and cause vomiting, severe cramps, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. 

     Some food allergies can cause anaphylactic shock and are life-threatening. Although deaths caused by food allergies get a lot of attention in the news and in social media, it is very, very rare for someone to die because of a food allergy.

    Out of 10 million people, only 2 people die each year because of a food allergy. 

I Think I Have an Allergy 

     Pay attention to your body and the things that might be causing allergic reactions. If you think you have an allergy you should talk to your parents and your doctor.

     Your doctor may send you to an allergist or give you a blood test to see if your blood contains antibodies, which is a clue that you are having an allergic reaction.

     An allergist may also give you a skin prick test by poking your skin with tiny amounts of different substances to see which things cause your body to have an allergic reaction. 

     Lots of people have allergies. If you are lucky, maybe you don't have any allergies, but if you are unlucky maybe you are allergic to lots of things.

    Your doctor can't "cure" your allergy, but maybe they can give you medicines to treat and control your allergies.

Living with Allergies

     Your body will change, so sometimes people outgrow the allergies they had when they were a kid. Some people's allergies get less severe or more severe over time.

      The best thing you can do if you are living with allergies is to be smart! Wash your hands and keep your room clean. 

     Try to stay away from the things that are causing your allergies. You might need your parent’s help so you don’t accidentally eat the wrong thing.  It’s important to read the ingredients of the foods that you eat.

    If you love animals but can't stop sneezing, maybe you can adopt an animal that doesn't have fur, like a reptile or fish or bird. There are lots of solutions to help you live with your allergies.