Allergies are incredibly common and more people are getting allergic every day. Research shows that up to 50 million Americans are allergic. It is one of the main reasons why people miss work or children skip school every year. Many people are unaware of allergies and what causes them.
An allergic reaction simply refers to a condition in which naturaliscbduk the immune system reacts too strongly to foreign substances once they are physically touched. There are many types of allergic reactions, including drug allergies, food allergies, and insect sting allergies. These allergies can be easily acquired and may also develop rapidly in an individual. Let's look at the symptoms and causes of allergies.
Allergies can occur for many reasons. An allergy can be caused by almost any substance. You can get an allergic reaction simply by inhaling or swallowing any material that could trigger your immune system to react and cause an allergic reaction. There are risk factors that can increase the chance of an allergic reaction. These variables can be divided into two types: environmental factors and host factors.
* Host Factors: These include genetic factors, heredity and age, as well as ethnic background. The most important risk factor is heredity, which increases the likelihood of someone developing an allergy. If your mother and father are allergic, then you will be more susceptible to allergies.
* Environmental factors: These include direct exposure to disease in childhood, diet adjustments, and environmental pollution. Allergies can be caused by breathing in allergens (substances that are often allergic), such as pollen and airborne dirt, dust, mold spores as well as mite wastes. These are also major causes of respiratory allergies.
Additional risk factors that can contribute to allergies include pregnancy and viral attacks (via the mother-to-fetus). The body's defenses are often weaker and less effective during pregnancy and viral infections. This is when a foreign substance or allergen can have a greater chance of attacking the body, leading to an overreaction by the immune system. You may also experience allergies from dietary supplements or drugs. It is best to consult a doctor before you take any type of medication.
People who are allergic to certain substances may experience symptoms that can have an effect on their skin, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal system. In extreme cases, they may also affect the heart. Different types of allergies may have different symptoms.
* Symptoms of allergy: These symptoms include runny noses, sneezing, and nasal congestion. If the situation is severe, one may also experience wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing.
* Food allergies symptoms include difficulty swallowing, mouth itching, diarrhea, vomiting, and trouble swallowing. As part of food allergies symptoms, one might also experience stomach pains and irritation of the throat, mouth and lips.
Allergies can also cause a host of other annoying symptoms, such as ear infections and asthma. A person allergic to someone else may also experience skin symptoms, such as eczema, hives, headaches and diminished sense of smell.