Allergies: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

An allergy is a reaction by your immune system to something that does not bother most other people.

Why it happens

Normally the immune system — your body's defence — fights germs. In most allergic reactions it is responding to a false alarm. Both genes and the environment probably play a part. People with allergies are often sensitive to more than one thing.

Common triggers

• pollen;
• dust mites;
• mould spores;
• pet dander;
• food;
• insect stings;
• medicines.

Symptoms

Allergies can cause a runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling or asthma. They range from minor to severe; anaphylaxis is a severe reaction that can be life-threatening.

Diagnosis and treatment

Doctors use skin and blood tests to diagnose allergies. Treatments include:

• medicines;
• allergy shots;
• avoiding the things that cause the reactions.

Sources

• "Allergy," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/allergy.html
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