What to Do If You Have Allergies

Allergy is a special type of reaction in which the body's immune system responds in an exaggerated way to a foreign substance. In other words, it is an immunologic reaction to an otherwise innocuous material that doesn't bother most people. When people experience an allergic reaction to something, what they are really experiencing is an altered, or exaggerated reaction.

Allergy results from an oversensitive immune system, which leads to a misdirected immune response. The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances, such as viruses, fungi and bacteria.

Allergies can be triggered by repeated exposure to a particularly strong or toxic allergen, such that the body's defenses become exhausted due to overwork. They may also result from serious trauma, vaccinations, major surgery, any anesthetic event, or emotional stresses.

There are several types of allergies, such as, mold allergies, and milk allergy.

Symptoms that are attributed to allergy include cough, sneezing, nasal irritation, wheezing, stuffy and/or runny nose, heartburn, diarrhea, bloating, stomach cramps, indigestion and a variety of skin rashes.

People who have milk allergies often have trouble digesting the sugar in milk. These people may experience hives, vomiting and breathing problems after consuming a milk product.

Egg white powder, used in cooking and in baked goods, can also cause problems for those who have a severe egg allergy. Egg allergy can be quite dangerous in children. It is the white, not the yolk, that is attributed to the problem, and raw white is more likely than cooked to trigger symptoms.

Symptoms of a food allergy varies from person to person and usually begin a few moments after eating the offending food. People with true, confirmed food allergies must avoid the aggravating food altogether.