Whether the source be cats, dogs, food or environmental, allergies have become a fact of life for thousands of people and a multi-billion dollar industry. More than just sneezing and running noses, allergies have led to asthma attacks and sinus infections. No longer seasonal issues in the spring and fall, allergies have become a year round challenge as more people than ever before find their world being limited by what foods they can eat, where they can go and what animals they can come into contact with.

Although called food allergies, most people suffer from food intolerance, which is an atypical response when the person either consumes or breaths in a specific food. Even though the response is resembles an allergy attack, the symptoms are not as severe. With a true allergic reaction, the person would experience:

Hives (the most common symptom of food allergy.)
Tingling sensation in the mouth
Swelling of the tongue and throat
Difficulty breathing
Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, or bloating.
Drop in blood pressure
Light-headedness, loss of consciousness, and death.

Once a person has become sensitize to the food, the primary treatment is to avoid contact. Depending on the severity of the reaction, it may become necessary to strictly monitor prepared food and product labels. Allergy producing foods, such as eggs, peanuts, and milk, are common ingredients in commercially prepared foods.

Although there isn't a way to prevent a reaction, there are treatments available. Antihistamines can relieve gastrointestinal symptoms, hives, sneezing, and a runny nose, while bronchodilators can relieve the symptoms of asthma. Those with severe allergies should also be prepared to treat anaphylactic shock and wear a medical alert bracelet with nature of the allergy and treatment in case loss of consciousness.

Although pet and environmental allergies symptoms are similar, the difference lies in the ability to avoid contact. Symptoms include:

Runny nose
Itchy, watery eyes
Nasal congestion
Itchy nose or throat
Postnasal drip
Rash and itching after direct contact
Sneezing

Removing or limiting the contact with an animal is easier than avoiding the pollens blown on the wind. With pets, the allergy is triggered by the dander particles created by the salvia of the animal. Environmental allergies are activated by pollen, molds and dusts. Modern medicine has provided diverse list of drugs to suppress the symptom, but none of

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