by Angeline Oppenheimer

Created on: April 02, 2008   Last Updated: May 13, 2008

Overview

Sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, you are discomforted beyond measure and you wonder why your neighbor is having a perfectly happy day. Your body is actually over reacting to certain allergens in the air or environment. Common allergens like pollen, mold, pet dander, dust, food, drugs, even jewelry or cosmetics can cause allergies in some people. You happen to be one of them. Although most cases of allergies are not life threatening, they are irritating, discomforting and downright annoying. And if you are one of the 20% of Americans plagued with this, you want relief. Fast. You want it wiped out, like a plague.

What Causes Allergies?

Certain people are more prone to allergies. Blame it on hereditary or the environment. Whichever the case, the body is hypersensitive to certain allergens. Allergens float around in the air or exist in the food or environment. Normally, those fortunate ones not susceptible to allergies will cope with these allergens just fine. But the allergy prone person will perceive these allergens as intruders. In a bid to protect the body, the body produces an army of antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) to fight the invasion. However, the production of IgE triggers off the immune cells to produce a variety of chemicals including histamine which can then produce a host of irritating symptoms.

Symptoms

Allergies affect different people differently but there are general characteristics, depending on the severity. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious disease, the most common of allergies are caused by airborne substances. Symptoms are often confined to specific areas like nose, eyes or lungs and are manifested in sneezing, coughing, itchy nose, eyes, even throat and/or conjunctivitis.

Typically, symptoms are dictated by which part of the body is in contact with the allergens. For example, spring time allergies are breathed in and therefore symptoms are typically respiratory. Food allergies can induce nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramping, even diarrhea and it can be life threatening in extreme cases. If you are allergic to certain plants (remember the dreadful poison ivy episode?), skin rash is typical. Drug allergies usually affect the whole body and can produce a variety of symptoms.

It is important to note that sometimes people with allergies can develop asthma, hay fever or eczema.

Diagnosis

Is it allergy or a cold? Is your nausea and vomiting a case of food poisoning or food allergy? Only

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